Be Aware of the Symptoms of a Heat Stroke

Summer is the favorite season for many. Most people spend most of their days lazing at the beach and tend to adopt more of a relaxed lifestyle. One thing most do miss though are their long runs and weekend hikes. But, at this time of year, when temperatures and humidity levels soar, our risk of heat exhaustion, or worse, heat stroke, increases. And while this is a likely concern for the elderly, the heat can take its toll on the young too. 

Heat stroke is a life-threatening issue if you suffer from conditions like high blood pressure, thyroid disease or diabetes. It also means that you're more susceptible to a heat stroke, as well as other issues like eating disorders or a high BMI. Taking medications with stimulants may also put you at risk of heat stroke.

As such, scorching summer temperatures do not guarantee that you will have a heat stroke, however, the closer the outside temperature gets to your body temperature, the higher your risk is. At this time of year, it is therefore better to exercise with the air-conditioner on, particularly when heat levels soar to the 90s or 100s. Nevertheless, it is always useful to know how to prevent an emergency such as this, as typically, someone doesn't just have a heat stroke out of the blue in a matter of minutes. 

These warning signs will tell you to slow down:

 

1. Your body temperature soars

You may be familiar with heat exhaustion, which is worrisome, but less extreme when compared to heat stroke. Whereas the latter body temperature usually maxes out at 102°F, someone suffering from a heat stroke will likely have their body temperature at 105°F or higher! As your temperature rises, your skin may flush red and your heart could start racing as it tries to cool your body down. 

2. Your organs start to fail

Once your body temperature soars to 105 and over, your organs can shut down. The kidneys, the liver, the heart and the brain can be affected. If your kidneys start to fail you may spot red urine. 

3. You feel nauseated

One of the most common symptoms of heat exhaustion is feeling queasy, accompanied by other signs such as fatigue and vomiting. If recognized early, head to a cool place and replenish lost fluids and electrolytes by having a sports drink. 

4. You are confused

Another marker of a heat stroke are changes in mental status, confusion and delirium. The changes also indicate that you have moved from heat exhaustion to a life-threatening heat stroke. 70% of people who get to this stage can die from it. By this point, you won't be able to converse or think clearly enough to step away from the heat and get the help you need. If you ever feel slightly woozy, move indoors as soon as possible.

Other symptoms may include:
Throbbing headache
dizziness and light-headedness
hardly sweating despite the heat
Red, hot, and dry skin
Muscle weakness or cramps
Rapid heartbeat, which may be either strong or weak
Rapid, shallow breathing
Behavioral changes such as confusion, disorientation, or staggering
Seizures
Unconsciousness

First Aid

If you suspect that someone has a heat stroke, immediately call 911 or transport the person to a hospital. Any delay seeking medical help can be fatal.
While waiting for the paramedics to arrive, initiate first aid. Move the person to an air-conditioned environment -- or at least a cool, shady area -- and remove any unnecessary clothing.
If possible, take the person's core body temperature and initiate first aid to cool it to 101 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit. (If no thermometers are available, don't hesitate to initiate first 
aid.)
Try these cooling strategies:
Fan air over the patient while wetting his or her skin with water from a sponge or garden hose.
Apply ice packs to the patient's armpits, groin, neck, and back. Because these areas are rich with blood vessels close to the skin, cooling them may reduce body temperature.
Immerse the patient in a shower or tub of cool water.
If the person is young and healthy and suffered heat stroke while exercising vigorously -- what’s known as exertional heat stroke -- you can use an ice bath to help cool the body.

Do not use ice for older patients, young children, patients with chronic illness, or anyone whose heat stroke occurred without vigorous exercise. Doing so can be dangerous.
If emergency response is delayed, call the hospital emergency room for additional instructions.

Risk Factors for Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is most likely to affect older people who live in apartments or homes lacking air conditioning or good airflow. Other high-risk groups include people of any age who don't drink enough water, have chronic diseases, or who drink excessive amounts of alcohol.

Heat stroke is strongly related to the heat index, which is a measurement of how hot you feel when the effects of relative humidity and air temperature are combined. A relative humidity of 60% or more hampers sweat evaporation, which hinders your body's ability to cool itself.

The risk of heat-related illness dramatically increases when the heat index climbs to 90 degrees or more. So it's important -- especially during heat waves -- to pay attention to the reported heat index, and also to remember that exposure to full sunshine can increase the reported heat index by 15 degrees.

Other risk factors associated with heat-related illness include:
Age. Infants and children up to age 4, and adults over age 65, are particularly vulnerable because they adjust to heat more slowly than other people.
Health conditions. These include heart, lung, or kidney disease, obesity or underweight, high blood pressure, diabetes, mental illness, sickle cell trait, sunburn, and any conditions that cause fever.

Medications-It includes antihistamines, diet pills, diuretics, sedatives, tranquilisers, stimulants, seizure medications (anticonvulsants), heart and blood pressure medications such as beta-blockers and vasoconstrictors, and medications for psychiatric illnesses such as antidepressants and anti-psychotics. Illegal drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine also are associated with increased risk of heat stroke.

People with diabetes -- who are at increased risk of emergency room visits, hospitalization, and death from heat-related illness -- may be especially likely to underestimate their risk during heat waves, according to a recent study.

Check with your doctor to see if your health conditions and medications are likely to affect your ability to cope with extreme heat and humidity.

Prevention-
When the temperature is high, it's best to stay in an air-conditioned environment. If you must go outdoors, you can prevent heat stroke by taking these steps:
Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing, and a wide-brimmed hat, or carry an umbrella.

Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or more.

Drink more fluids. To prevent dehydration, it's generally recommended to drink at least eight glasses of water, fruit juice, or vegetable juice per day. As heat-related illness also can result from salt depletion, it may be advisable to substitute an electrolyte-rich sports drink for water during periods of extreme heat and humidity.

Take additional precautions when exercising or working outdoors.The general recommendation is to drink 24 ounces of fluid two hours before exercise, and consider adding another 8 ounces of water or sports drink right before exercise. During exercise, you should consume another 8 ounces of water every 20 minutes, even if you don't feel thirsty. Best is to exercise early morning, when the temperature will not be so high.

Symptoms and Treatment

Monitoring the color of your urine. Darker urine is a sign of dehydration. Be sure to drink enough fluids to maintain very light-colored urine. 

Measuring your weight before and after physical activity. Monitoring lost water weight can help you determine how much fluid you need to drink.

Avoid fluids containing caffeine or alcohol, because both substances can make you lose more fluids and worsen heat-related illness. Also, do not take salt tablets unless your doctor has told you to do so. The easiest and safest way to replace salt and other electrolytes during heat waves is to drink sports beverages or fruit juice.

Check with your doctor before increasing liquid intake if you have epilepsy or heart, kidney, or liver disease; are on fluid-restricted diets; or have a problem with fluid retention.

If you live in an apartment or house without fans or air conditioning, try to spend at least two hours each day -- preferably during the hottest part of the day -- in an air-conditioned environment. At home, draw your curtains, shades, or blinds during the hottest part of the day, and open windows at night on two sides of your building to create cross-ventilation.

After you've recovered from heat stroke, you'll probably be more sensitive to high temperatures during the following week. So it's best to avoid hot weather and heavy exercise until your doctor tells you that it's safe to resume your normal activities. 

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