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Heatstroke is a condition that occurs when your body overheats as a result of extended exposure to or physical effort in hot temperatures. Heatstroke, the most deadly kind of heat injury, can occur if your body temperature climbs to 104 F (40 C) or higher. The ailment is particularly common during the summer.
Heatstroke necessitates immediate medical attention. Heatstroke can swiftly damage your brain, heart, kidneys, and muscles if left untreated. The longer you wait for treatment, the worse the damage becomes, raising your chances of major complications or death.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF HEATSTROKE?
The following are signs and symptoms of heatstroke:
- High body temperature: The major symptom of heatstroke is a core body temperature of 104 F (40 C) or greater, as measured with a rectal thermometer.
- Changes in mental state or conduct: Heatstroke can cause confusion, agitation, slurred speech, irritability, delirium, seizures, and coma.
- Vomiting and nausea: You may vomit or feel sick to your stomach.
- Flushed skin: As your body temperature rises, your skin may turn red.
- Breathing quickly: Your breathing may become shallow and fast.
- Heart rate is racing: Because heat stress puts a tremendous strain on your heart to help cool your body, your pulse may rise significantly.
- Headache: Your head may ache.
- Sweating pattern change: Heatstroke caused by hot weather causes your skin to feel hot and dry to the touch. Heatstroke caused by hard exercise, on the other hand, may cause your skin to feel dry or somewhat damp.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF HEATSTROKE?
Heatstroke can occur as a result of the following:
- Being exposed to a hot atmosphere: Being in a hot environment causes an increase in core body temperature in a type of heatstroke known as nonexertional (classic) heatstroke. This kind of heatstroke is most commonly caused by prolonged exposure to hot, humid weather. It is more common in older folks and people with chronic illnesses.
- Physical exertion: Exertional heatstroke results from an increase in core body temperature caused by strenuous physical exercise in hot conditions. Anyone exercising or working in hot weather can have exertional heatstroke, but it's more likely if you're not acclimated to the heat.
- Excessive clothing that stops sweat from escaping and cooling your body
- consuming alcohol, which might impair your body's ability to regulate temperature
- Dehydration is caused by not drinking enough water to replace fluids lost via sweating.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR HEATSTROKE?
Anyone can get heatstroke, but there are certain conditions that enhance your chances:
- Age: The strength of your central nervous system determines your ability to deal with intense heat. The central nervous system is not fully developed in the very young, and it begins to degenerate in adults over 65, making your body less able to cope with changes in body temperature. Both age groups typically have difficulties staying hydrated, which raises the risk.
- Exerting in the heat: Military training and participation in sports like football or long-distance running races in hot weather are two examples of scenarios that might contribute to heatstroke.
- Some drugs: Some drugs have an impact on your body's ability to stay hydrated and respond to heat. In hot weather, be extra cautious if you use medications that constrict your blood vessels (vasoconstrictors), manage your blood pressure by blocking adrenaline (beta blockers), clear your body of sodium and water (diuretics), or lessen psychiatric symptoms (antidepressants or antipsychotics).
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) stimulants, as well as illegal stimulants like amphetamines and cocaine, make you more susceptible to heatstroke.
- Certain medical conditions: Certain chronic conditions, such as heart or lung disease, may raise your chances of suffering from heatstroke. Obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and a history of past heatstroke can all contribute.
- Unexpected exposure to hot weather: If you are exposed to a sudden increase in temperature, such as during an early-summer heat wave, or if you go to a hotter area, you may be more susceptible to heat-related disease.
Limit your activity for at least a few days to allow yourself to adjust to the change. However, you may still be at risk of heatstroke until you've been exposed to greater temps for several weeks.
- There is no air conditioning: Fans may make you feel better, but air conditioning is the most efficient technique to cool off and reduce humidity during prolonged hot weather.
WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF HEATSTROKE?
Heatstroke can cause a variety of complications depending on how long the body temperature remains elevated. Complications that are severe include:
Damage to vital organs: Heatstroke can cause your brain or other key organs to swell if you do not act quickly to lower your body temperature, perhaps resulting in lasting damage.
Death: Heatstroke can be lethal if not treated promptly and adequately.
HOW IS HEATSTROKE DIAGNOSED?
Heatstroke is usually obvious to clinicians, but laboratory testing can confirm the diagnosis, rule out alternative explanations of your symptoms, and assess organ damage. Among these tests are:
Rectal temperature, which is used to determine your core body temperature. A rectal temperature is more accurate than a mouth or forehead temperature in identifying your core body temperature.
A blood test to assess your blood salt or potassium levels, as well as the quantity of gases in your blood, to discover if your central nervous system has been damaged.
A urine test to determine the color of your urine, which is normally darker if you have a heat-related ailment, as well as your kidney function, which might be compromised by heatstroke.
Muscular function tests are used to detect major damage to your muscle tissue (rhabdomyolysis).
X-rays and other imaging studies to check for interior organ damage.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR HEATSTROKE?
Heatstroke treatment focuses on returning your body to normal temperature in order to avoid or lessen brain and crucial organ damage. Your doctor may take the following actions to accomplish this:
- Immerse you in cold water: A cold or ice bath has been shown to be the most effective method of rapidly reducing your core body temperature. The sooner you endure cold water immersion, the less likely you are to die or suffer organ damage.
- Make use of evaporative cooling techniques: If cold water immersion is not possible, health care personnel may attempt to lower your body temperature by evaporation. Chill water is misted on your skin while warm air is fanning about you, causing the water to evaporate and cool your skin.
- Pack you with ice and cooling blankets: To reduce your fever, you can also wrap yourself in a special cooling blanket and apply ice packs to your groin, neck, back, and armpits.
- Give you some anti-shivering medication: If temperature-lowering medications cause you to shiver, your doctor may prescribe a muscle relaxant, such as a benzodiazepine. Shivering raises your body temperature, reducing the effectiveness of treatment.
HOME REMEDIES FOR HEATSTROKE
Heatstroke treatment at home is insufficient. Seek emergency medical attention if you develop signs or symptoms of heatstroke. Others should take attempts to calm you down while you wait for emergency assistance. While you're waiting for medical help, don't consume anything.
Reduce your body temperature if you observe indicators of heat-related sickness to keep your condition from developing to heatstroke. In the event of a minor heat emergency, such as heat cramps or heat exhaustion, the following methods may help reduce your body temperature:
- Locate a shady or air-conditioned area: If you don't have air conditioning at home, go to a mall, movie theater, or public library with air conditioning.
- Use moist sheets and a fan to keep cool: If you're with someone who is suffering from heat exhaustion, keep them cool by covering them with damp sheets or sprinkling them with cool water. With a fan, direct air onto the person.
- Take a refreshing shower or bath: If you're outside and don't have access to a shelter, soaking in a cool pond or stream can help you calm down.
- Rehydrate: Drink plenty of water. Also, because sweating causes salt loss, you can restore salt and water with sports drinks. If your doctor has advised you to limit your fluid or salt intake, consult him or her to determine how much you should drink and whether you should replace salt.
- To rehydrate, avoid sugary or alcoholic beverages: These beverages may impair your body's capacity to regulate your temperature. Cold drinks might also trigger stomach cramps.
HOW CAN HEATSTROKE BE PREVENTED?
Heatstroke is both foreseeable and avoidable. Take the following precautions to avoid heatstroke during hot weather:
- Wear light, loose-fitting clothing: Wearing too much clothing or clothing that is too tight will prevent your body from cooling adequately.
- Sunburn should be avoided: Sunburn impairs your body's capacity to cool itself, so wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses and apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Apply sunscreen liberally and reapply every two hours, or more frequently if swimming or sweating.
- Drink plenty of water: Staying hydrated will aid in sweating and maintaining a regular body temperature.
- When using some drugs, take extra precautions: If you take drugs that can impair your body's capacity to stay hydrated and dissipate heat, keep an eye out for heat-related issues.
- During the warmest sections of the day, take it easy: If you can't avoid strenuous activities in hot weather, stay hydrated and take frequent breaks in a cool place. Schedule your exercise or physical labor for cooler times of day, such as early morning or late evening.
- If you are at a higher risk, exercise caution: Avoid the heat if you are taking drugs or have a condition that raises your risk of heat-related illnesses, and respond quickly if you feel symptoms of overheating. Make sure there are medical resources available in case of a heat emergency if you participate in a vigorous sporting event or activity in hot weather.
- Never leave somebody unattended in a parked car: This is a common cause of child heat-related death. When parked in the sun, the temperature in your automobile can rise by 20 degrees Fahrenheit (11 degrees Celsius) in 10 minutes.
Even if the windows are cracked or the car is in the shade, leaving a person in a parked automobile in warm or hot weather is not safe. Keep your car locked when parked to prevent a youngster from entering.
- Get used to it: Limit your time working or exercising in hot weather until you're used to it. People who are not accustomed to hot temperatures are more vulnerable to heat-related sickness. Your body may take many weeks to acclimate to hot temperatures.