Heat Stroke, Symptoms, Prevention and Management:

Heat stroke is a serious medical emergency that occurs when the body’s core temperature becomes excessively elevated due to prolonged exposure to the sun on a scorching day. Normally, the body regulates its temperature by sweating when the internal temperature becomes high. However, in cases of heat stroke, the body’s temperature regulation system fails to maintain the internal temperature. This can cause the internal body temperature to rise above 104°F, disrupting the body’s normal functions and potentially leading to organ damage if not treated promptly.

Symptoms of Heat Stroke:

The following may be the signs and symptoms that indicate heatstroke.

High Body Temperature: A person’s body temperature will reach 104°F or greater.

Loss of Consciousness/Disorientation:

Moreover, in severe cases, a patient will be irritable, confused, and even unconscious

Rapid Pulse/Heart Beat:

However, in case of severe dehydration due to high temperature, your heart will try to pump more rapidly to supply blood to your body, resulting in a fast heartbeat.

Headache: The patient will feel a headache due to the dilatation of blood vessels in the brain due to high temperature.

Flushed Skin:

Due to high temperature patient’s skin will be flushed because of the heavy flow of blood circulation to the body’s surface.

Body aches/Muscles cramps: The patient will feel muscle pain and cramps due to fever and dehydration.

Nausea and Vomiting: The patient may feel nauseated and vomit. This may be due to a person’s body’s reaction to heat stress.

Weakness:

Heat stroke causes severe body aches, and a person becomes unable to perform physical activities.

Dizziness or Fainting:

Due to severe dehydration and low blood pressure, the patient may faint. In this case, lie the patient down on a smooth surface and elevate the legs.

Rapid and Shallow Breathing:

The patient’s body will try to lower internal temperature by inhaling more and more air, which may also be due to a fast metabolic rate or a very high temperature.

Low Blood Pressure: Patients’ blood pressure will drop to a very low point.

 What is the Treatment of heat stroke?

 If you suspect heat stroke symptoms, call your local emergency medical helpline. Meanwhile, while waiting for medical emergency help, do the following measures to cool down your body temperature by any means available, e.g.

• Move the person, or if you are alone, immediately move towards a cool place and call someone for help.
• Take cold water showers, or put the person in a tub with cold water. Do not give any medication to lower the temperature.
• Place a wet towel or ice pack on the head, in the axilla, and in the groin region to cool down your body temperature.
• If the patient is conscious, offer a drink containing electrolytes, or you can give an Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS).
• Avoid caffeinated beverages/drinks.
• If the patient becomes unconscious, pulseless, or not breathing, start CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and call your local emergency medical helpline.

How can you prevent yourself from Heatstroke?

Heatstroke can be prevented in very hot weather or a heat wave by following these tips.

• Avoid strenuous physical activity in very hot weather.
• If doing exercise or any work is very necessary, then perform that early in the morning from 4 am to 7 Am.
• Keep a water bottle with you all the time. Maintain good hydration all the time.
• Keep a towel in your purse or bag. If you feel too hot or feel a fever, wet the towel on your head,
• Children are very sensitive to heatstroke, so keep them in the coolest room in the house, and avoid going outside to play in the streets.
• Take 2 to 3 baths at least in warm weather or on a day.
• Always wear loose clothes.
• If you sweat a lot, you may be depleted of electrolytes; drink oral rehydration solution(ORS).

How can you keep your home cool in hot weather?

If your house has direct exposure to the sun or is on the top floors of a building, take the following measures to keep your house cool.

• Keep doors and windows open in the early morning from 4 A.m. to 7 a.m. for fresh air and good ventilation.
• Always check your room temperature, especially at 10:00 a.m., 1300 p:m, and 2200 p:m. This is very important if you have infants or children and older people with health issues.
• Close the window in the middle of the day and turn off all artificial lights and electrical appliances if possible.
• Hang a wet towel or a thick cloth in your room.

Furthermore, it’s important to remember that heatstroke is a medical emergency. Taking the precautions mentioned above can help protect you and your family. If someone experiences heatstroke, people need to know how to handle the situation safely. Local hospitals and community centers should organize teaching sessions for the community before warm weather, where they can educate people on home remedies, management, and emergency contact numbers.