With the weather turning a lot warmer these days, it’s good to arm ourselves with knowledge about how to tell when someone is not just extremely hot and bothered, but actually suffering from a heat stroke.
The body normally generates heat as a result of metablism, and the body is usually able to dissipate the heat. BUT in extreme cases of high heat and/or humidity, or vigorous exertion under the sun, the body may not be able to dissipate the heat and the body temperature rises.
PREVENTION: Since the heat stroke is most likely caused by dehydration- liquid intake when out in the hot sun is essential. Liquids (non-diuretics) do not only cool you down as your drink it but also enables you to sweat fast enough to dissipate heat.
MOST LIKELY CANDIDATES: The population most susceptible to hear strokes are infants, the elderly (often with associated heart diseases, lung diseases, kidney diseases, or on certain medications that make them vulnerable to heat strokes), and athletes.
What are heat stroke symptoms?
Symptoms of heat exhaustion may include nausea, vomiting, general fatigue, weakness, headache, muscle cramps and aches. However some individuals can develop symptoms of heat stroke suddenly and rapidly without warning.
Different people may have different symptoms and signs of heat stroke. But common symptoms and signs of heat stroke include:
- high body temperature
- the absence of sweating, with hot red or flushed dry skin
- rapid pulse
- difficulty breathing
- strange behavior
- hallucinations
- confusion
- agitation
- disorientation
- seizure
How do you administer first-aid to a heat stroke victim?
First and foremost, cool down the victim. Remove clothing, apply running cool or tepid water to the skin, fan the victim to promote sweating and evaporation, place ice packs under armpits and groins. Let the person drink water with a little bit of salt and eat a banana for the potassium.