Are you scared of that scorching heat during the peak of summer? I bet your answer is yes. None of us need that sunburn, hot and dry skin, or any other health issues. It's a good idea to stay indoors, but if needed to go out then it's better to take safety precautions.
Heatstroke or sunstroke is the most extreme state of a heat-related illness. It can be considered a life-threatening condition that causes body overheating, due to prolonged exposure or extreme physical activity in hot temperatures.
Sunstroke takes place if the body temperature rises to 104 F (40 C) or above. It is frequent during the summertime.
During sunstroke, the body fails to maintain its normal temperature; which means the body's temperature increases very fast, the sweating process fails, and the body is not able to cool down.
Heat Stroke Symptoms
If someone is exhibiting the following signs or symptoms, then seek medical assistance immediately:
Heatstroke symptoms are as follows :
- Confusion and altered mental status
- Dehydration
- Headache
- Balance problems
- Slurred speech
- Loss of consciousness (coma) or Syncope (fainting)
- Rapid breathing or tachycardia
- Hot, dry skin or profuse sweating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- High blood pressure
- Low blood pressure
- Oliguria (less urine output)
- Seizures
- Very high body temperature
- Life-threatening if treatment delayed
Suffering from any of the above heatstroke symptoms. If yes then book an appointment now with our best doctors for heatstroke treatment.
Heatstroke Complications
Sunstroke requires emergency medical attention. It’s a grave health condition because if ignored it can lead to coma, organ failure, or death. The below-given complications are seen -
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
- Brain swelling
- Kidney failure
- Liver failure
- Metabolism disorders
- Neuropathy (nerve damage)
- Blood circulatory problems
Heatstroke and Diarrhea
Sunstroke symptoms also include bowel problems like diarrhea. Prolonged exposure to a very hot climate does increase the risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) problems as well as gastrointestinal (GI) problems. Usually, diarrhea cases seem to surge during the summer season.
Due to dehydration, there’s insufficient water in the digestive system. This condition gives rise to extra bloating, gas, or stomach pains.
Another reason for an upset stomach is that during summer times we prefer cold raw foods. Few people with sensitive stomachs may find them difficult to digest.
Also in the hot season, we do less exercise and restrict more bodily movements, which may affect the bowel movements and thus an upset stomach.
It is seen that many individuals require hospitalization with a relapse of inflammatory bowel disease for every day that a heatwave lasted.
Heat stroke treatment -
Heatstroke requires on-the-spot medical care. If an ambulance is yet to arrive, then try to cool the person as much as possible by -
- Move the person to a cool and well-ventilated environment.
- Apply ice packs or apply cool cloths to the skin to regulate and lower internal body temperature.
- Take off or loosen ant tight clothing
- Give sips of salted fluids, such as sports drinks or salted water to drink. Avoid caffeine and alcohol.
- Give a cold water bath
At the hospital, the person will receive the following treatment -
- Cooled intravenous fluids
- A cooling blanket
- Ice bath
- Medication to prevent convulsions
- Supplemental oxygen
Heatstroke prevention-
Babies, children, elderly people, and people who are ill or with heart disease are delicate and hypersensitive to heat and require extra attention. People who do outside work or stay in a hot setting also are at a greater risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
It’s possible to prevent heat-related illnesses if we take these precautions -
- Avoid leaving your home, stay indoors if it's very hot outside.
- Choose to wear light-colored, lightweight, loose-fitting clothes.
- Wear a hat or use an umbrella
- Use sunscreen having a high sun protection factor (SPF).
- Be dehydrated, drink plenty of water/liquids throughout the day.
- Avoid drinking caffeine or alcohol
- Stop doing any physical activity
- Do not stay or leave a child in the car. Even if the windows are open, the intense heat can be very dangerous.
