Heat Stroke (Sunstroke): Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

Here are the causes, symptoms, and treatments regarding heat stroke

These are the causes, symptoms, and treatments regarding heat stroke, also known as the sunstroke.

Heat stroke is considered to be the most serious heat injury. This medical emergency can occur from milder heat-related illnesses such as heat cramps, heat syncope (fainting), and heat exhaustion.

However, it can also occur even if one has no previous signs of heat injury. It can cause damage to the brain and other internal organs.

heat stroke

Most cases of this heat injury happens to people over 50 years old but it can also happen to young athletes.

A person who has “prolonged exposure to high temperatures — usually in combination with dehydration — which leads to failure of the body’s temperature control system.”

Heat stroke happens when the person’s “body temperature greater is than 104 degrees Fahrenheit, with complications involving the central nervous system that occur after exposure to high temperatures.”

Here are the common symptoms according to Web MD:

  • Throbbing headache
  • Dizziness and light-headedness
  • Lack of sweating despite the heat
  • Red, hot, and dry skin
  • Muscle weakness or cramps
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Rapid heartbeat, which may be either strong or weak
  • Rapid, shallow breathing
  • Behavioral changes such as confusion, disorientation, or staggering
  • Seizures
  • Unconsciousness

If a person you know feels these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. Any delay could be fatal.

heat stroke

While waiting for medical professionals, here are the first-aid steps.

  • Transfer the patient a cool or shady area.
  • Fan air over the patient while wetting his or her skin with water from a sponge or garden hose.
  • Apply ice packs to the patient’s armpits, groin, neck, and back. Because these areas are rich with blood vessels close to the skin, cooling them may reduce body temperature.
  • Immerse the patient in a shower or tub of cool water.
  • If the person is young and healthy and suffered heat stroke while exercising vigorously — what’s known as exertional heat stroke — you can use an ice bath to help cool the body.
heat stroke

Here are some steps to prevent having heat stroke, especially during the summer season.

  • Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing, and a wide-brimmed hat.
  • Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or more.
  • Drink extra fluids. To prevent dehydration, it’s generally recommended to drink at least eight glasses of water, fruit juice, or vegetable juice per day. Because heat-related illness also can result from salt depletion, it may be advisable to substitute an electrolyte-rich sports drink for water during periods of extreme heat and humidity.
  • Take additional precautions when exercising or working outdoors. The general recommendation is to drink 24 ounces of fluid two hours before exercise, and consider adding another 8 ounces of water or sports drink right before exercise. During exercise, you should consume another 8 ounces of water every 20 minutes, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
  • Reschedule or cancel outdoor activity. If possible, shift your time outdoors to the coolest times of the day, either early morning or after sunset.
  • Monitoring the color of your urine. Darker urine is a sign of dehydration. Be sure to drink enough fluids to maintain very light-colored urine.
  • Measuring your weight before and after physical activity. Monitoring lost water weight can help you determine how much fluid you need to drink

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