Most severe form of heat illness when the body overheats and can’t cool down. The body cannot take off the excessive heat from the body by sweating because of dehydration and/or humid environment.
Heat illness may be viewed as a continuum of illnesses relating to the body's inability to cope with heat. It includes minor illnesses, such as heat edema, heat rash (ie, prickly heat), heat cramps, and tetany, as well as heat syncope and heat exhaustion. Heatstroke is the most severe form of the heat-related illnesses and is defined as a body temperature higher than 41.1°C (106°F) associated with neurologic dysfunction.
Two forms of heatstroke exist. Exertional heatstroke (EHS) generally occurs in young individuals who engage in strenuous physical activity for a prolonged period of time in a hot environment. Classic nonexertional heatstroke (NEHS) more commonly affects sedentary elderly individuals, persons who are chronically ill, and very young persons. Classic NEHS occurs during environmental heat waves and is more common in areas that have not experienced a heat wave in many years. Both types of heatstroke are associated with a high morbidity and mortality, especially when therapy is delayed.
With the influence of global warming, it is predicted that the incidence of heatstroke cases and fatalities will also become more prevalent. Because behavioral responses are important in the management of temperature elevations, heatstroke may be entirely preventable.
Causes
• the risk of heat stroke goes way up in hot and humid weather
• vigorous exercise in hot weather
• if you’re dehydrated
• if you’ve had too much direct exposure to the sun
• vigorous exercise in hot weather
• if you’re dehydrated
• if you’ve had too much direct exposure to the sun
Signs
May start with the following signs of heat exhaustion:
• warm, flushed skin
• faintness
• dizziness
• weakness
• headache
• faintness
• dizziness
• weakness
• headache
May progress to an emergency condition of heat stroke:
• very high fever of 41 C
• rapid heartbeat
• convulsion
• delirium
• unconscious
• rapid heartbeat
• convulsion
• delirium
• unconscious
Prevention
• Limit the amount of time you spend outdoors.
• Drink plenty of water. Avoid tea, coffee, soda and alcohol.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat and long-sleeved clothing when outdoors.
• Schedule heavy-duty activities for the beginning or end of the day, when it’s cooler.
• Drink plenty of water. Avoid tea, coffee, soda and alcohol.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat and long-sleeved clothing when outdoors.
• Schedule heavy-duty activities for the beginning or end of the day, when it’s cooler.
Treatment
Emergency measures:
• Move the person to a shady spot or indoors and have them lie down with their legs elevated. If they’re conscious, have them sip cool water.
• Remove clothing, apply cool water to the skin and fan them.
• Apply ice packs to the armpits, wrists, ankles and groin.
• Move the person to a shady spot or indoors and have them lie down with their legs elevated. If they’re conscious, have them sip cool water.
• Remove clothing, apply cool water to the skin and fan them.
• Apply ice packs to the armpits, wrists, ankles and groin.
Heat stroke is a medical emergency! Bring the patient immediately to the hospital after instituting emergency measures.
The next article will give you simple instructions on how to avoid heatstroke, simply click the link below.
Know How To Avoid Heat Stroke
The next article will give you simple instructions on how to avoid heatstroke, simply click the link below.
Know How To Avoid Heat Stroke
