Heat Stroke - Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors, Complications and Prevention

Introduction:

Summers can be exhausting for each one of us. When your body loses control over maintaining the temperature, it could pull you to the emergency room, making you suffer a heat stroke. It usually results from prolonged heat exposure and working under heavy temperatures. When the body heat increases rapidly, our body loses its control, and the sweat mechanism fails to support, leading to this medical emergency.

What Are the Causes of Heat Stroke?

The reason for a heat stroke, without any confusion, is anything that does not let the body cool itself.

Working Under the Sun for a Longer Period: People who work outdoors under the sun suffer heat strokes often. As the heat exposure is continuous, even when our body tries to cope and cool itself, it fails, leading to heat stroke. They are common in the elderly, and people suffering from long-term medical conditions, otherwise weak people. It is called a non-exertional heat stroke (NEHS).

Increased Physical Exertion in a Hot Climate: This primarily affects younger individuals who get involved in strenuous exercises in hot climates, as it increases the body temperature. Certain people survive and cope with hot temperatures well, whereas some have difficulty coping; the latter are the most prone to heat stroke. This type of heat stroke is named exertional heat stroke (EHS).

Apart from these two, other certain factors that trigger heat stroke, such as,

• Wearing multiple layers of clothing.

• Wearing winter clothes during summer or in humid regions.

• Insufficient hydration in the body.

• Alcohol abuse, infection, sepsis (body reaction to an infection that accidentally damages its tissue), etc.

What Are the Symptoms of a Heat Stroke?

Suffering a heat stroke shows up as the following symptoms such as;

• A peak in the body temperature, which is usually above 103 ℉.

• Hot, red, and flushed skin.

• Rapid pulse and heartbeat.

• Fast breathing.

• Nausea.

• Confusion, slurred speech, continuous irritation, disorientation, etc.

• Headache, dizziness, followed by fainting, and loss of consciousness.

What Are the Common Risk Factors for Heat Stroke?

• Older Adults: The incidence of heat stroke is more common among the elderly who live and work under the intense sun in villages and those who live in less ventilated homes in cities.

• Certain Habits: Experts state that alcohol and sun are a dangerous mix. Habits such as alcohol abuse increase the risk of heat stroke. Alcohol tends to slow down the gland called the hypothalamus (a brain part), which regulates body temperature. Also, it is a diuretic that helps the body remove its water content, which proves its absence of role in heat stroke.

• Hot Temperatures: Working under the hot sun or increased physical exertion can increase the risk of heat strokes. Sports activities, military training, etc., could cause heat stroke in younger adults.

• Absence of Air Conditioning: Air conditioners efficiently manage hot climates; their absence worsens the room's temperature, increasing the risk of heat strokes.

• Medications: Some medications, such as antihypertensive drugs, diuretics, antidepressants, etc., can keep your body far from hydration, causing heat stroke.

• Medical Conditions: Certain underlying diseases involving the heart, lungs, and other organs, being obese, and having a previous history of heat strokes can increase the risk of heat stroke.

What Is First-aid for Heat Stroke?

• Heat stroke that prolongs for more than half an hour is an emergency and needs medical intervention immediately.

• Call for an ambulance and stay with the person suffering a heat stroke.

• Move the person experiencing heat stroke to a cool and shady area.

• Refrain from giving them anything to drink.

• Aid the patient to cool down the body temperature by using cold towels and giving them a cold bath.

• Avail the patient with free air or use a fan to provide air.

• If the person is young and has suffered heat stroke due to strenuous exercise, placing ice on different body parts and immersing them in ice-cold water helps. But ice water is contraindicated in older patients, children, and those with chronic diseases.

• Remove or change thick clothing to minimize body heat.

How To Prevent a Heat Stroke?

Surviving summers efficiently itself can reduce the risk and prevent heat stroke. The various preventive measures for heat stroke include;

• Drink plenty of fluids such as water and fresh juices to keep the body hydrated. Avoid liquids rich in sugar.

• Wear appropriate clothing such as; lightweight, thin clothes, minimize the layers or, if possible, wear clothes made of breathable fabrics.

• Apply sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 30+. Make sure to apply sunscreen on the other body parts and not just the face.

• Wear sunglasses.

• If any of the symptoms mentioned earlier start to show up, make sure to move to a shady place before the symptoms worsen.

• Schedule the outdoor activities and game practices to early mornings or late evenings.

• Do not stay in confined spaces such as rooms without proper ventilation or locked cars for an extended period.

• Avoid hot, heavy, and spicy meals. Eat foods that minimize body heat and keep you hydrated for hours.

• Try staying in air-conditioned rooms during the peak heat hours.

• Caffeine and alcohol intake makes the body lose more water and worsens the condition. So, avoiding both would be a great help.

• If you cannot tolerate a hot climate, try to stay away from such areas.

• Take cold or normal water baths and avoid hot water baths during summers.

What Are the Complications Associated With Heat Stroke?

Heat stroke can be life-threatening if necessary care is not provided. It can affect various vital organs, including the heart, lungs, kidney, brain, etc. Doctors recommend taking a few blood tests, urine tests, kidney function tests, etc., to rule out dehydration and treat accordingly. If the treatment is delayed or not sought, it can lead to death.

Conclusion:

Though framed as a medical emergency, heat stroke can be managed easily using conservative management and home care when diagnosed right. If susceptible to heat strokes, taking the necessary precautions during summers helps bid bye to heat strokes. The precautions to be taken are easy and helpful in various other ways.