HEAT STROKE WARNING: WHAT TO DO WHEN SOMEONE COLLAPSES IN HIGH TEMPERATURE
Heat stroke is among the most serious forms of summer illness and is considered a medical emergency. As temperatures rise in summer, heat stroke cases may increase.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heat illness is a risk during outdoor exercise or outdoor physical activity, especially for people over age 65 or who take medications that increase sensitivity to high temperatures.
Given the right conditions, though, it can happen to anyone in high temps at any time of the year.
Related News |Experts say heat stroke kills and causes damage to the brain and other internal organs. Also known as heat syncope, the condition often progresses from milder illnesses like dehydration to fainting, exhaustion, and even loss of pulse.
What causes heat stroke?
Doctors say stroke mostly happens when your body fails to control its temperature.The medical definition of heat stroke is a core body temperature greater than 104 F, with complications involving the central nervous system that occur after exposure to high temperatures.
Related News |There are two types of heatstroke:
Exertional heatstroke
It is usually the result of physical overexertion in hot, humid conditions and can develop in a few hours.
Non-exertional heatstroke
Also known as classic heatstroke, this type occurs due to age or underlying health conditions and tends to develop over several days.
Ways to tackle heat stroke
Doctors say if you suspect someone has had a heat stroke, you must immediately take a few steps to save their life, as any kind of delay can be fatal. Also, while waiting for the emergency help to arrive, make sure to initiate first aid, and move the person to a cooler environment.If it is possible, make sure to take the body temperature and initiate first aid to cool it to 101 to 102 F.
Also, try the following cooling strategies:
- Fan air over the patient while wetting their skin with water from a sponge or garden hose.
- If a person is conscious and able to swallow, have them drink water or a sports drink that contains electrolytes.
- Apply ice packs to the patient's armpits, groin, neck, and back, as these areas are rich with blood vessels close to the skin, cooling them may reduce body temperature.
- Immerse the patient in a shower or tub of cool water.
- Sitting or lying down with feet elevated about 12 inches can help prevent swelling in the legs and improve blood flow to the brain.
- If the person is young and healthy and suffered heat stroke while exercising vigorously -- what’s known as exertional heat stroke -- you can use an ice bath to help cool the body.
Signs and symptoms of heat stroke
A few visible signs and symptoms of heatstroke include:- Headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and confusion
- Having flushed, hot, and unusually dry skin
- Being extremely thirsty
- Having a dry, swollen tongue
- Having a sudden rise in body temperature to more than 40°C
- Being disoriented or delirious
- Slurred speech
- Being aggressive or behaving strangely
- Convulsions, seizures, or coma
- May be sweating and the skin may feel deceptively cool
- Rapid pulse