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Knowing the Signs of Heat Stroke
Knowing the Signs of Heat Stroke
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Heat stroke is a condition wherein the sudden and very high increase in body temperature is mainly due to being in an open area or having physical activity in too-hot weather. It is really very important to know how to recognize the signs of heat stroke to act promptly in helping avoid further serious complications.
Signs and Symptoms of Heat Stroke
High Body Temperature: Probably the most prominent indication for heat stroke is a core body temperature over 103°F. This high temperature most of the time will turn out to be your first indication that your body is overheating.Altered Mental State or Behavior: Confusion, agitation, slurred speech, irritability, delirium, seizures, and even coma are some of the symptoms. These are symptoms that the brain is being affected by the high temperature.
Altered Sweating:In a weather-induced heat stroke, the skin will be hot and dry to the touch. In exertional heat stroke, the skin will appear moist. These differences help in differentiating between the causative factors of the heat stroke.
Nausea and Vomiting: You may feel sick to your stomach or even vomit. These symptoms are the way by which a body reacts to the stress put on it. **Flushed Skin:** Your skin will turn red in case your temperature rises. Flushing would be the result of maximum blood flow in the skin, as the body is trying to drive away excess heat from the body. **Rapid Breathing:** Fast and shallow breathing can ensue. It will be an attempt by the body to cool down even faster.
Racing Heartbeat:The pulse would increase to a great extent since it is trying too much to help the body cool down. Indicating how the rate of heartbeat increases clearly, stating the overstressed state of the body because of the heat.
Headache: Characteristic with overheating, more often indicative may be a throbbing headache.
Causes and risk factors
Exposure to High Temperature: Mostly, high temperatures combined with high humidity levels are the cause of heat stroke. The human body may fail to cool itself if the body stays for a long period in an extremely hot environment.
Strenuous Activity: This intensifies the risk when it is strenuous in hot weather. Running or other activities that involve the lifting of heavyweights result in an easy heat stroke in the heat.
Dehydration:If you don't drink enough water, your body will eventually stop sweating and cooling properly. Staying well-hydrated is critical for your body to remain cool.
Age: Young children and older adults are more likely to suffer from heat stroke. Their bodies aren't as adept at regulating temperature compared with healthy adults.
Underlying medical conditions—heart, lung, or kidney diseases; obesity; high blood pressure; diabetes; and mental illness all raise risk. These illnesses will also alter your body's response to heat.
Certain Medications:- In some medications, as the body's ability to sweat and cool itself becomes low, so is the risk increased. Always consult a health professional about your risk if you're taking certain medications that lower the ability of the body to sweat and cool itself, such as diuretics or sedatives, stimulants, and certain heart and blood pressure medications.
Prevention Tips
Keeping Yourself Hydrated: Drink gallons of water to keep the body well-hydrated. The beverages containing caffeine or alcohol should be avoided since they result in dehydrating the body.
Staying Away from Direct Sun: In case your presence is necessary outdoors, then avoid peak sun time from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This usually is the hottest time of the day. Stay out of sunlight as much as possible in shade.
Dress Appropriately: Wear light-colored, light-weighted, loose-fitting clothes to help your body cool itself.
Take Breaks: Take regular breaks in a cool or shaded area if you will be working or engaged in physical activities. If you stay in a cool environment after physical activity, your body will be able to cool itself.
Slather on Sunscreen: Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to prevent sunburn, which impairs the body's ability to cool itself.
Stay Informed About the Heat Index: Check weather forecasts and updates for heat watch. Heat index is a far better indication of how hot it really is, considering humidity.
Avoid alcoholic and caffeinated beverages: Drinks like these are dehydrating in nature. Instead, take plenty of water and electrolyte replenishers.
First Aid for Heat Stroke
Staying Away from Direct Sun: In case your presence is necessary outdoors, then avoid peak sun time from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This usually is the hottest time of the day. Stay out of sunlight as much as possible in shade.
Dress Appropriately: Wear light-colored, light-weighted, loose-fitting clothes to help your body cool itself.
Take Breaks: Take regular breaks in a cool or shaded area if you will be working or engaged in physical activities. If you stay in a cool environment after physical activity, your body will be able to cool itself.
Slather on Sunscreen: Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to prevent sunburn, which impairs the body's ability to cool itself.
Stay Informed About the Heat Index: Check weather forecasts and updates for heat watch. Heat index is a far better indication of how hot it really is, considering humidity.
Avoid alcoholic and caffeinated beverages: Drinks like these are dehydrating in nature. Instead, take plenty of water and electrolyte replenishers.
First Aid for Heat Stroke
- . Call Emergency Services: If you suspect someone has a heat stroke, do call for emergency medical services. It is of a medical emergency nature, requiring prompt treatment.
- Move to a Cooler Environment: Move the البرый OutputStream to a shaded or air-conditioned place. The very initial step toward cooling them down would be removing them from the hot environment.
- Cool the Person Down: Cool the person by every possible means you can, like in a cool shower, bath, or having cool towels directly laid on the body surface. The body must be cooled rapidly.
- Rehydrate with Caution: Cool water may be offered if awake and able to drink. Do not offer alcohol or caffeinated beverages. It is not the rehydration that is important; rather, hydration is to be done carefully.
Since it can save lives, timely action is taken as one recognizes heat stroke symptoms. Be informed about the risk and take measures to protect yourself and the people around you from such a non-existent, life-threatening condition, most especially during hot weather.
**References:**
-[WebMD](https://www.webmd.com)
[National Institutes of Health, NIH] (https://www.nih.gov)
-[Mayo Clinic] (https://www.mayoclinic.org)
WHO: World Health Organization. https://www.who.int-Healthline. https://www.healthline.com
-Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com
-Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org
-MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov
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