What is Heat exhaustion?
Heat exhaustion is also called heat stroke, sunstroke, or thermic fever. This happens when our body’s system for regulating temperature breaks down.
Heat exhaustion is a serious condition so, treat it right away. If heat exhaustion is not treated on time, it can damage the heart, kidneys, brain, and muscles. Heatstroke usually happens when someone stays in a hot place for a long time. Most of the time, these problems happen when the body temperature goes above 140 F, which happens most often in the summer.
There are mainly two types of heat strokes:
1. Exertional heat stroke
Exertional heat stroke happens when you work out hard in hot weather and causes core body temperature to rise. It can happen to anyone who works or works out in hot weather. But it is most likely to happen who aren’t used to high temperatures.
2. Non-exertional heat stroke
In a type of heatstroke called nonexertional (classic) heatstroke, the body temperature rises when you are in a hot environment. This kind of heatstroke usually occurs when you are out in hot, humid weather for a long time. It happens most often in older adults and people who have been sick for a long time.
Heat exhaustion symptoms
Heat exhaustion is hard to overlook because its symptoms are similar to those of many other health problems.
Among the most common signs of heat exhaustion are:
- Weak, rapid pulse
- A lot of sweating
- Increased temperatures inside the body
- Weak muscles or cramps
- Nausea
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Skin that is cold, pale, damp, and sometimes has goosebumps
- Low blood pressure or dizziness when standing up or bending over
- Vomiting
- Act irritable or aggressively
- Face red and hot
- Short, quick breaths
Causes of heat stroke
Heat stroke is caused when someone remains in the sun for a long time and the weather is very hot and humid. The condition happens when the body’s cooling system stops working and it gets too hot.
The most damage is caused when a person sweats a lot and loses a lot of water. When the body’s fluid needs are not fulfilled quickly, it starts to show signs of dehydration, which can have adverse effects.
You’ll feel the effects of heat more quickly if:
- Not used with hot weather or a lot of moisture in the air.
- Already affected or sick from something else.
- You are too fat.
- Still working out, even if you are in good shape.
People who have any of the following reasons are more likely to get heat stroke:
- In hot or humid weather, drank alcohol
- On hot days, not drinking enough water
- Cardiac problems
- Sweat gland issues
- Wearing too many clothes
Diagnosis for the heatstroke
Doctors diagnose heatstroke and review symptoms, measure body temperature (Rectal temperature is the most accurate way to determine body temperature than mouth and forehead) and perform some physical examination tests.
The blood test checks the level of sodium or potassium in the blood and also inspects any damage to the central nervous system). A urine test is performed to mainly check the colour of urine because darker urine signifies heat-related complications.
Other tests such as an electrocardiogram or chest X-ray may be performed to monitor the electrical activity of the heart.
Serious damage to muscle tissue was checked by a muscle function test. So, this all gets diagnosed when you get heat stroke.
How to treat heatstroke
The aim of treating heatstroke is to bring body temperature back to normal, to prevent the brain and other internal organs. Consult the doctor so that he can do some of the following procedures.
1. Submerge you in cold water.
So, the doctor will tell you to take bath in cold or ice water seems to be the fastest way to cool down your core body temperature. The faster you can get into cold water, the less likely you are to drop dead or affect your organs.
2. Evaporation cooling techniques.
The doctor will lower your body temperature by letting it evaporate. First, he’ll sprinkle cold water on you while blowing warm air over you. This causes the water to evaporate and cool your skin.
3. Use ice and blankets to keep you cool.
Another way to bring down your temperature is to wrap you in a special cooling blanket and put ice packs on your abdomen, neck, back, and underarms.
4. Doctor will recommend medicine to stop you from shivering.
If treatments to lower your body temperature make you shiver, then the doctor might give you a muscle relaxant like a benzodiazepine. Your body temperature goes up when you shiver, which makes treatment less effective.
What are the problems that can come with heatstroke?
People with heat exhaustion can develop shock that can even lead to coma. A rise in body temperature can lead to:
- Liver failure
- Nerve damage
- Brain swelling
- Metabolic dysfunction
- Kidney failure
- ARDS (Acute respiratory distress syndrome)
How to avoid heatstroke
If you are planning to go outdoor on a hot and humid day, then make sure to follow the given measures to protect yourself from heat exhaustion:
1. Make sure to drink extra fluids to prevent dehydration. Drink at least 7 to 8 glasses of water every day.
Since heat-related illness can also originate due to salt depletion from the body. So, consume electrolyte-rich drinks during extreme heat and humid days.
2. Wear light-coloured lightly weighted and loose-fitting clothes.
3. While exercising or working outdoors take additional precautions. Drink 24 ounces of fluids before exercise.
4. Cancel or reschedule outdoor activities during humid weather.
5. Avoid fluids such as alcohol or caffeine, like these, can cause you to lose more fluids, worsening heat exhaustion.
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