Heat Stroke - Cause, Symptoms and Treatment

Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is the most severe form of heat illness and is a life-threatening emergency. Heat stroke is a form of hyperthermia in which the body temperature is elevated dramatically. Heatstroke is caused by extreme exposure to high temperatures or by doing physical activity in hot weather.

Causes of Heat Stroke:

Heatstroke occurs when the body is no longer able to cool itself and starts to overheat. Normal skin temperature is 32-34°C (89.6-93.2°F). If the outside temperature is higher than your skin temperature, your body will produce sweat, which reduce the temperature of the body.
However, in certain conditions, such as extreme heat, high humidity or vigorous activity in the hot sun, this cooling system may begin to fail, allowing heat to build up to dangerous levels.
If an individual becomes dehydrated and cannot sweat enough to cool their body, their internal temperature may rise to dangerously high levels, causing heat stroke.
Some other causes of heat stroke are as:

• Wearing extra clothing that prevents your sweat from evaporating easily and cooling your body
• Drinking alcohol, which can affect your body's ability to regulate your temperature
• Becoming dehydrated, whenever you are not drinking enough water to replenish fluids you lose through perspiration.

Symptoms of Heat Stroke:

The symptoms of heat stroke can develop quickly, which include:

• Headache.
• Dizziness.
• Dry and warm skin that is flushed but not sweaty.
• High body temperature. Body temperature of 104 F (40 C) or more is the sign of heat stroke.
• High heart rate.
  
• Sluggishness or fatigue.
• Agitation, confusion, or disorientation.
• Seeing or hearing things that aren't real ( Hallucinations).
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Loss of consciousness.
• Muscle cramps or weakness.
• Lack of sweating despite the heat.

How can Heat Stroke be Prevented?

• Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated will keep your body temperature normal.
• Wear lightweight, loose fitting clothing in light colours. Wearing excess clothing and clothing which are tight fitted would not allow your body to cool.
• Wear light-colored clothing if you are in the sun because dark clothing absorbs heat. On the other hand light-colored clothing may help you to keep cool by reflecting the sun's rays.
• Eat regular, light meal. 
• Stay cool and letting air circulating around your body.
  
• Remain away of the sunlight during the hottest parts of the day, particularly 11am-3pm.
• Never leave children or anyone else in a parked car. This is one of a common cause of heat-related deaths in children. When you parked car in the sun, the temperature in your car can rise 20 degrees F (more than 6.7 C) in just 10 minutes. It is not safe to leave a person inside a parked car in hot weather for any period of time. 
• Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat (also keeps you cooler) and sunglasses and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher (the most effective products say “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection” on their labels). 
• Cut down on exercise, and drink two to four glasses of cool and nonalcoholic fluids our.  Sports beverage can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat.
• On very hot and humid day, try to spend much time indoors.
• Schedule your activity and sports for cooler times of the day.

How is Heat Stroke Treated?

• Heat Stroke need to be treated quickly.
  
• Get the heat stroke victim in a cool place.
• Remove excess clothing of victim and wet his or her skin with water or wrap in wet cloths.
• Fan air over the victim while wetting his or her skin with water from a sponge or garden hose.
• If the effected person is able to drink liquids, have them drink cool water or other cool beverages that do not contain alcohol or caffeine.
• Apply ice packs to the victim's armpits, neck, groin, and back.
• Monitor victim's body temperature where possible and continue cooling efforts until the body temperature drops below 101 to 102 °F or 38°C.
• Dial Emergency number to request an ambulance if the person doesn't respond to the above treatment within 30 minutes.