How can we treat Heat strokes?

Source: www.medicinenet.com

I have a friend, after his basketball game, while he is resting, he suddenly fell and die, after the diagnosis the doctor said he died on heatstroke. I have known many people died on heatstroke. Since then I start to be curious about this heat stroke what is this heatstroke? Heatstroke is a heat illness and it can be fatal, it’s a form of hyperthermia that a body temperature raises to a greater than normal about 40.6 °C (105.1 °F) due to environmental heat exposure like what happened to my friend they played basketball in an open area under the heat of the sun.

Heatstroke is an abnormally elevated body temperature with accompanying physical symptoms including changes in the nervous system function. Unlike heat cramps and heat exhaustion, two other forms of hyperthermia

Heat stroke is also sometimes referred to as heatstroke or sun stroke. Take note Heat stroke is not the same as a stroke. "Stroke" is the general term used to describe decreased oxygen flow to an area of the brain.

How it happened?

Our body normally generates heat as a result of metabolism, and is usually able to dissipate the heat by radiation of heat through the skin or by evaporation of sweat. but in extreme heat, high humidity, or vigorous physical exertion under the sun, the body may not be able to dissipate the heat and the body temperature rises, sometimes up to 106 F (41.1 C) or higher. One cause of heat stroke is dehydration. If you are dehydrated you may not be able to sweat fast that enough to dissipate heat that causes our body temperature to rise above the normal.


Who are the most susceptible at risk individuals to heat strokes?

• They are the infants, the elderly, athletes, military recruits. And individuals who work outside and physically exposed under the heat of the sun.
• Also Pets are even more susceptible than humans to heat stroke in cars, as dogs (the animals usually involved), cats and many other animals cannot produce whole body sweat.

What are the symptoms and signs of heat stroke sometimes it begins with heat exhaustion then followed by?

Nausea, vomiting, fatigue, weakness, headache, muscle cramps and aches, and dizziness. Not all people got the same symptoms others have a different symptom but the Common symptoms and signs are; 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, and/or coma.


In children, how they can be a victim of heatstroke? 

• Parent should be responsible by this, when they are left and unattended locked in car they can suffer heat-related illness quickly, temperature of a locked car can rise to dangerous levels even in moderate weather. 
• Infants who overly bundled in their cribs. 
• Older children and teens athletes who train in hot environmental conditions.

What can we do to treat a heat stroke victim?

• First and foremost, cool the victim.
• Get the victim to a shady area, remove clothing, apply cool or tepid water to the skin
  fan the victim to promote sweating and evaporation, and place ice packs under the armpits and groin.
• Have them drink cool water or other cool beverages that do not contain alcohol or caffeine, if they can drink.
• Monitor body temperature with a thermometer and continue cooling efforts until the body temperature drops

How can heat stroke be prevented?

• Drink plenty of fluids (such as water and sports drinks), electrolytes drink (such as sodium) If you have to perform physical activities in hot weather, but avoid alcohol, caffeine, soft drinks and tea (tea can lead to dehydration.)
• Take breaks frequently to hydrate you. Wear hats and light-color, lightweight, loose clothes.
• Don’t you ever, ever leave infants or children in unattended locked car. The heat temperature inside of the car are double than the heat in the outside at the right exterior temperature, sunlight, color of vehicle, and type of vehicle.
• Checking the van or bus for stragglers at the end of the trip is essential, or a head count.
• Leaving the pet at home with plenty of water on hot days is recommended instead, or, if a dog must be brought along, tied up outside the destination and provided with a full water bowl.
• Wear light clothing like cotton in light colors that is pervious to sweat but impervious to radiant heat from the sun. It minimizes the gaining of radiant heat, while allowing as much evaporation to occur as the environment will allow.
• Don’t wear Clothing like plastic fabrics that are impermeable to sweat and thus do not facilitate heat loss through evaporation can actually contribute to heat stress.
• Drink plenty of liquids to replace fluids lost from sweating, especially in hot weather condition

The risk of heatstroke can be reduced by observing precautions to avoid overheating and dehydration. Light, loose-fitting clothing will allow perspiration to evaporate and cool the body.

Some person can develop symptoms of heat stroke suddenly and rapidly without warning.


References: Wikipedia Medicine Net