What You Should Know About Heat Stroke This Summer
Heat stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when the body can no longer cool itself. The body suffers from dehydration as it can’t release internal heat into the environment, resulting in core temperatures of over 104 degrees Fahrenheit. As you can imagine, this is neither pleasant or comfortable. The worst part is that many people aren’t aware they are in danger of heat stroke until it’s too late.
What is heat stroke?
Heat stroke occurs when your body’s natural process to cool the body fail. Generally, this occurs as a progression from milder heat-related illnesses, such as heat cramps, fainting, or heat exhaustion. It results from prolonged exposure to high temperatures, usually in conjunction with dehydration. In turn, this leads to the failure of the body’s temperature control system.
Symptoms of heat stroke
The most reliable symptom of heat stroke is having a core body temperature above 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Other symptoms may include:
- Throbbing headache
- Dizziness and light-headedness
- Minimal sweating despite the heat
- Red, hot, and dry skin
- Severe headache
- Muscle weakness or cramps
- Nausea and vomiting
- Rapid heartbeat
- Dark-colored urine
- Confusion, disorientation or staggering
- Seizures
Treating heat stroke
If you suspect that someone has heatstroke, seek medical attention immediately. If possible, take the person’s core body temperature and initiate first aid to cool it to 101 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit. These cooling strategies can help:
- Place the patient in an air-conditioned room
- Fan air over the patient while wetting his or her skin with water from a sponge
- Apply ice packs to the patient’s armpits, groin, neck, and back
- Immerse the patient in a bath of cool water
- Loosen any tight clothing
- If muscle cramps occur, gently stretch the affected muscles to ease the pain
- If unconscious or not fully conscious, place him or her in the recovery position
If you or a loved one experience any symptoms of heat stroke, visit Sand Canyon Urgent Care immediately. If a higher level of care is needed, our triage staff and/or providers will direct patients to the appropriate specialist or to an emergency room for further treatment. Call us today for more information!
