Everything you need to know about Heatstroke

Posted By Suborna Fermi Posted on May 15, 2023

Heatstroke is a very serious life-threatening condition that needs immediate medical attention. This condition may occur if your body temperature increases over 40℃ or 104℉. If you notice that someone is having a heatstroke, then do call your nearest emergency care as soon as possible.

What is heatstroke?

Heat Stroke is often known as sunstroke, which occurs when your body warmth increases above 40℃ or 104℉. Although heatstroke or sunstroke mainly affects people over the age of 50 and young athletes, it can also affect anybody at any age. Heatstroke can be very critical, as this can cause brain damage, internal organ failure, coma and even death.

How common is heat stroke?

Deaths due to heatstroke or sunstroke is not uncommon in India. Nearly 90 people have died due to sunstroke in the year of 2022 in India.

What are the symptoms of heatstroke?

One of the most vital symptoms of heat stroke is loss of consciousness. Other symptoms may include:

• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Anhidrosis
• Balancing problems
• High or low blood pressure
• Rapid breathing
• Flushed or pale skin
• Intense headache
• Confusion or disorientation
• Seizures

If you notice someone is having a sunstroke or heatstroke, give them first aid and call the nearest emergency care.

What are the types of heatstroke?

There are mainly two types of heatstroke:

• Exertional heat stroke: This is the type of heat stroke which occurs when your body temperature increase to 40℃ or 104℉. Exertional heat stroke is generally caused by hot and humid weather. This type of heat stroke can develop within a span of a few hours.
• Non-exertional heat stroke: This type of heat stroke occurs due to increasing age and underlying health condition. Non-exertional heat stroke can develop within a span of a few days.

Who may get a heat stroke?

Older age and infants are more prone to get a heat stroke, because their body may not control temperature efficiently. On the other hand, soldiers and athletes are also at a high risk of getting a heat stroke. Apart from that, heat stroke can affect people of all ages.

Here are some risk factors which can increase your risk of getting a heat stroke, which includes:

• Being dehydrated
• Being overweight
• Having a high fever
• Having a past history of heat stroke
• Not being used to hot weather
• Wearing extreme tight or heaving clothing
• Having a medical condition regarding your heart, kidney, lungs, and liver
• Having cystic fibrosis
• Using certain medication that affects your body temperature, such as heart and blood pressure medicines
• Drinking too much alcohol

What are the complications of heat stroke?

The complications of heat stroke can be life-threatening, which includes:

• Brain damage
• Brain Swelling
• Nerve damage
• Acute respiratory distress syndrome
• Liver and kidney failure
• Metabolic dysfunction
• Reduced blood flow to the cardiovascular system, which can eventually lead to cardiac ischemia

How to prevent heat stroke?

Here are few ways which can help you to prevent heat stroke.:

• Avoid excessive physical activity in very hot weather.
• Hydration is extremely important, make sure to consume water or salted water to avoid dehydration.
• Do not leave your children and pets in a closed hot space such as cars.
• If possible, stay in a well-ventilated or air-conditioned area to prevent heat waves.
• Avoid wearing too tight and heavy clothes.
• Try to wear lightweight, light colored and loose fitted clothing.

You can use these precautions to avoid sunstroke because the recent days have been extremely humid. Also, if you are overcoming a heatstroke, then try to avoid hot weather by staying at home and avoid extreme exercises for a few weeks.