Now that it is summer, and the temperatures are rising, we all need to be aware of the signs, symptoms, and treatment of heatstroke. It can effect anyone, but most often it is infants, the elderly (with pre-existing conditions), athletes, and outdoor workers. When it is hot out, and you are overly exerting yourself, you can easily dehydrate, and it becomes difficult for your body to autoregulate your temperature. Normally your body regulates through shivering (when cold) and sweating (when hot). When your body is unable to do this, you are at a high risk or heat stroke.
What are some signs/symptoms?
It can mimic the signs of a heart attack, or have no symptoms at all until someone collapses. Initial signs can be : nausea, vomiting, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, and headache. At this point, the person has heat exhaustion, should be encouraged to get to cooler temperatures, and drink fluids (preferably with electrolytes). Heatstroke symtpoms can consist of: rapid pulse, high temperature without sweating and reddened skin, confusion, agitation, lethargy, and eventually coma.
What should I do?
As earlier stated, when you/someone else first has symptoms of heat exhaustion, you should get out of the sun/heat and into shade or air conditioning (if possible) and take off as many clothes as possible to allow the body to try and regulate itself. Encourage fluids (even if they are throwing up) encourage any sort of fluids- including popscicle, Gatorade, water, etc. If you see someone in full heatstroke, immediately get them out of the heat and call 911- it is a true medical emergency requiring IV fluids and heart/temperature monitoring, at the very least.
How can I prevent it?
Drink lots of fluids in the sun, limit exertion in the heat (if you do something outside, try for before 10am and after 2pm), limit caffiene (it can dehydrate), avoid alcohol in the sun (I know that boating/beaching in the sun with a cold beer is fun, but can be very dangerous). If you do drink alcohol out in the sun, try to get in ample water and sports drinks between beers, if possible. Try to limit extreme sun for children and elderly- never leave either of these populations in hot cars for extensive amounts of time, and keep them out of high exposure times (10am-2pm). (same advise for pooches too!! )
Basically, use common sense with the heat and don’t overdo it outside on hot days, and listen to your body because it will tell you when to get out of the sun! And, FYI, these hot humid days are the ones to worry about losing too much sodium! So pleas hydrate and take some breaks from the heat 🙂
Yours in Good Health
B
