By Priceline Pharmacy
Heat stress occurs when the body becomes dehydrated and is unable to cool itself enough to maintain a healthy temperature. If left untreated, this can lead to heatstroke, which is a life-threatening medical emergency. Prevention is the best way to avoid heatstroke.
Anyone can suffer from heatstroke, but those most at risk are people over 65 years (particularly those living alone or without air conditioning), babies and young children, pregnant and nursing mothers, people who have existing medical conditions (especially heart disease), high blood pressure or lung disease, and people on medications for mental disease.
Heatstroke occurs when the core body temperature rises above 40.5 degrees Celsius, and the body’s internal systems start to shut down. Normally sweating helps to maintain a healthy body temperature by increasing heat loss through evaporation. When a person becomes dehydrated, they do not sweat as much, their blood becomes concentrated and organ function is impaired.
Many organs in the body can suffer damage and the body temperature must be reduced quickly. Most people will have profound nervous system changes such as delirium, coma, and seizures. There may also be liver, kidney, muscle, and heart damage.
Causes of heat stress include dehydration (due to exercise, severe diarrhoea and vomiting, drinking too much alcohol, certain medications e.g. diuretics, and not drinking enough water), lack of airflow, sun exposure, and hot and crowded conditions.
Symptoms of heatstroke may appear similar to heat stroke, but the skin may be dry with no sweating and the person’s mental condition worsens. They may stagger, appear confused, fit, collapse and become unconscious. Warning signs may vary, but include very high body temperature, red hit dry skin (no sweating), a dry swollen tongue, rapid pulse, throbbing headache, dizziness, confusion, nausea, collapse, and eventual unconsciousness.
Suggestions for preventing heatstroke include drinking plenty of water (or other cool non-alcoholic fluids); planning ahead, by scheduling activities at the cooler parts of the day and rest often; stay cool and keep the air circulating around you; wear light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing made from cotton or linen; cool yourself by using wet towels or putting your feet in cold water and taking cool (not cold) showers.
If you must be out in the heat limit outdoor activity to the coolest part of the day. Protect yourself from the sun and ‘slip, slop, slap’ when outside by covering exposed skin, using sunscreen and wearing a hat. ‘Seek’ shade and ‘slide’ on some sunglasses. Rest regularly in the shade and drink fluids frequently.
If you are organising a large event or sports activity, or managing workers in a hot environment, develop and follow a heatstroke prevention plan. Don’t rely on fans to cool people, unless there is adequate ventilation, and know the signs and symptoms of heatstroke and know how to respond.
Heatstroke is a medical emergency Every minute’s delay in cooling a person with heatstroke increases the likelihood of permanent injury or death. Apply first aid and seek medical assistance immediately if you, or someone you are with, shows any sign of heat exhaustion or heatstroke.