Heat stroke (sunstroke) – symptoms

Proven content

Heat stroke, also known as heat shock, is the result of overheating the body. A special type of it is sunstroke, i.e. overheating of the head due to strong sunlight. We encounter heat stroke when the body has difficult or even impossible to give off excess heat (e.g. in the case of too intensive sunbathing, in a hot bath, in hot, humid air, etc.).

What is Heat Stroke?

Heat stroke is the body’s response to overheating, which occurs when the body is unable to dissipate any excess heat. When the temperature inside the body exceeds 40 degrees Celsius, changes in cells and tissues occur, although as a rule, symptoms from the central nervous system are noticeable. The process of protein denaturation and damage to the phospholipids of cell membranes begins. Heat stroke is especially serious in young children who have not developed sufficiently thermoregulatory mechanisms. Also, the elderly and those with cardiovascular ailments or taking antihistamines and neuroleptics are more vulnerable.

Another form of heat stroke is stroke, which occurs when exercising at high temperatures. This type of stroke most often affects young people who play sports intensively, as well as soldiers. Unlike classical stroke, there is a greater risk of rhabdomyolysis and, consequently, acute renal failure.

When can we face heat stroke?

Heat stroke occurs:

1. in a hot climate,
2. on hot steamy days,
3. during high sun exposure (especially for an unprotected head); then there is a sunstroke,
4. when working in hot and humid air without draft (in steel mills, forges, laundries, etc.),
5. during hot water and steam baths,
6. during field work in strong sunlight (hay, harvest),
7. during longer walks, games, games or sunbathing in hot weather.

The occurrence of heat stroke is favored by inappropriate clothing (too warm and windproof) and dehydration. It should be emphasized that the resistance of different people to increased temperature varies, therefore not all people working in the same conditions suffer from heat stroke.

Heat stroke can also occur as a result of uncontrolled tanning. To avoid this, you can always use cosmetics that support the tanning process without the need to directly expose yourself to sunlight, e.g. Bioherba Natural Face Self-tanning Cream or Bioherba Moisturizing Bronzing Cream

Heat stroke – symptoms

During heat shock the facial skin is red in milder cases, and pale in severe cases. Profuse sweats appear, the patient experiences nausea and general weakness, his gait becomes unsteady, uncertain, his speech is sometimes slurred and slurred, and spots appear in front of his eyes.

In the case of heat stroke in addition to the symptoms mentioned above, there are:

1. very severe headaches and dizziness,
2. fever,
3. chills,
4. acceleration of the heart rate,
5. sometimes dry skin,
6. muscle relaxation,
7. general anxiety
8. nausea and even vomiting
9. often redness up to burn, less often exposed parts of the body.

These symptoms may vary in severity depending on the degree of heating or insolation.

Heat stroke – management

What should I do in the event of heat stroke?

1. The conscious patient should be escorted and the unconscious patient removed to a cool, shady and airy place.
2. It is necessary to ensure the access of cool air to the skin by loosening and undoing clothes and underwear.
3. In case of severe weakness, the patient should be properly placed in a cool and airy place: when his face is red – in a semi-sitting position, and when his face is pale – so that the head is lower than the body.
4. It is recommended to use cool water or ice compresses (especially on the head and chest).
5. Conscious patients are advised to give: a) plenty of cool liquids to drink (often, in small portions, preferably cool water with a little salt), b) cool coffee or tea.
6. Call for medical help.
7. In the event of cardiac arrest, CPR should be carried out until the arrival of paramedics and / or a doctor.

The most important thing is to cool down the sick person as soon as possible in order to inhibit the harmful effects of heat and reduce the risk of possible death. In the past, people with heat stroke were cooled with very cold water. However, this is not a good solution as the cold water makes you shiver, which in turn increases your body’s heat production. Additionally, immersion in cold water may lead to constriction of the vessels under the skin, which in turn affects the perception of internal heat by the skin. So the water should be cooler, but not very cold.

Heat stroke – prevention

In preventing heat stroke, the most important things are:

1. on hot and sunny days, wearing light and airy clothes appropriate to the working conditions,
2. ensuring adequate (permanent) ventilation of overheated work rooms,
3. supplying personnel, especially those working on hot days or in an overheated atmosphere, with a sufficient quantity of cool drinking water,
4. wearing a hat when working in bright sunlight.

To avoid sunburn, it is important to use appropriate sunscreen. Order, for example, a stick sunscreen from Shaka Sun, which is easy to use and can always be kept at hand.

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