Summer is here – and so is heat stroke.
Anyone who suffers from heat stroke must be taken to the hospital immediately, the Department of Health (DOH) urged.
Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy, program manager of the Institute for Emerging and Re-emerging Diseases, said heat stroke could lead to death if not treated immediately.
In an advisory, the health department said that heatstroke – also known as sunstroke – happens when the body overheats and is unable to cool down by sweating. A possible complication of heatstroke is shock, which is a condition caused by a sudden loss of blood flow. Signs of shock include a very low blood pressure, blue lips and nails, and cool, clammy skin.
“Heat stroke results from prolonged exposure to high temperatures – usually in combination with dehydration – which leads to failure of the body’s temperature control system,” explains WebMd.com.
“The medical definition of heat stroke is a core body temperature greater than 105 degrees Fahrenheit, with complications involving the central nervous system that occur after exposure to high temperatures.”
The Minnesota-based Mayo Clinic says symptoms of heat stroke may include: nausea and vomiting (“you may feel sick to your stomach or vomit”), flushed skin (“your skin may turn red as your body temperature increases”), rapid breathing (“your breathing may become rapid and shallow”), racing heart rate (“your pulse may significantly increase because heat stress places a tremendous burden on your heart to help cool your body”), and headache (“you may experience a throbbing headache”).
Other symptoms are confusion (“you may have seizures, hallucinate, or have difficulty speaking or understanding what others are saying”), unconsciousness (“you may pass out or fall into a state of deep unconsciousness or coma”), and muscle cramps or weakness (“your muscles may feel tender or cramped in the early stages of heatstroke, but may later go rigid or limp”).
The Mayo Clinic says heatstroke can occur in these ways:
Exposure to a hot environment: In a type of heatstroke called non-exertional heatstroke, your condition is caused by a hot environment that leads to a rise in body temperature, without strenuous physical activity.
This type of heatstroke typically occurs in hot, humid weather, especially for prolonged periods. It occurs most often in older adults and in people with chronic illness.
Strenuous activity: In a type of heatstroke called exertional heatstroke, your condition is caused by an increase in body temperature brought on by physical activity in hot weather. Anyone exercising or working in hot weather can get exertional heatstroke, but it’s most likely to occur if you’re not accustomed to high temperatures.
In either type of heatstroke, your condition can be brought on by: wearing excess 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; and becoming dehydrated, because you’re not drinking enough water to replenish fluids you lose through perspiration.
When the heat index is high, it’s best to stay in an air-conditioned environment. If you must go outdoors, you can prevent heat stroke by taking these steps:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. During exercise, you should consume another 8 ounces of water every 20 minutes, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
5. Reschedule or cancel outdoor activity. If possible, shift your time outdoors to the coolest times of the day, either early morning or after sunset.
