Symptoms and treatment of heat Stroke

Description

Heatstroke is a condition caused by the body overheating. This usually occurs due to exposure to high temperatures or physical activity of high temperatures for too long. There are a couple of stages of heat injury and heat stroke is the most serious. This can occur if the body temperature rises to 104 ° F (40 ° C) or higher. Heat stroke is more common in the summer months.

The insolation of the needs of emergency care. If untreated, heatstroke can quickly damage your brain, heart, kidneys and muscles. This damage gets worse the time treatment is delayed, which increases the risk of serious complications or death.

Symptoms

Heat stroke symptoms include:

High temperature of the body. A body temperature of 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) or higher is the main sign of heatstroke.
Change in mental status or behavior. Confusion, agitation, slurred speech, irritability, delirium, seizures, and coma may result from a heat stroke.
Changes in the sweating pattern. In a stroke of heat caused by the heat, the skin will feel hot and dry to the touch. However, in a stroke of heat caused by strenuous exercise, sweating may be profuse.
Nausea and vomiting. Someone with heat stroke may feel sick to your stomach or vomiting.
Redness of the skin. The skin may turn red as the temperature increases of the body.
Rapid breathing. Breathing may become rapid and shallow.
Racing heart rate. Your pulse may significantly increase because heat stress places an extreme burden on your heart to help cool the body.
The pain of a headache. Heat stroke can cause your head to throb.

When to see a doctor

If you think that a person may be suffering from a heat stroke, seek medical help immediately. Call 911 or your local emergency services number.

Take immediate action to cool the person with heat stroke while waiting for emergency treatment.

Take the person to the shade or in the interior.
Remove excess clothing.
Cool the person with whatever means available — put in a bath of cool water or a cool shower, spray with a garden hose, a sponge with cold water, fan, while misting with cool water, or place ice packs or cold, wet towels on the person's head, neck, the armpits and the groin.

Causes

Heat stroke can occur as a result of:

Being in a hot environment. In a type of heat stroke, call nonexertional (classic) insolation, to be in a hot environment leads to an increase in core body temperature. This type of heat that normally occurs after exposure to a warm and humid climate, especially over a long period of time. It is more common in older adults and in people with ongoing health conditions.
Perform a strenuous activity. Exertional heatstroke is caused by an increase in body temperature caused by intense physical activity in hot weather. Any person who exercise or work in hot weather can be exertional heatstroke, but it is more likely to occur if you are not used to high temperatures.

In any type of heat shock, its condition can be caused by:

Wearing heavy clothing that prevents the sweat to evaporate easily, and the cooling of the body.
The consumption of alcohol, which can affect the body's ability to regulate temperature.
Dehydration - not drinking enough water to replenish the fluids lost through sweat.

Risk factors

Any person can develop heat stroke, but several factors that increase the risk:

Age. The ability to deal with the extreme heat depends on the strength of the central nervous system. In the very young, the central nervous system is not fully developed. In adults older than 65 years, the central nervous system becomes less sensitive, which makes the body less able to cope with the changes in the temperature of the body. Both age groups tend to have difficulty staying hydrated, which also increases the risk.
The exertion in hot weather. The military training and participation in sports, such as football or the long distance races of the event, in time of heat are among the situations that can lead to heat stroke.
The sudden exposure to hot weather.People may be more susceptible to heat-related illness when they are exposed to a sudden increase of the temperature, such as during an early-summer heat wave, or travel to a warmer climate. Limit activity for at least several days to allow time to acclimate to the temperature change. However, you can still have a greater risk of heat stroke until the person experiences several weeks of higher temperatures.
The lack of air conditioning. The Fans can make you feel better, but during sustained hot weather, air conditioning is the most effective way to cool and lower moisture.
Certain medications.Some medications affect the ability of your body to stay hydrated and to respond to the heat. Be especially careful in hot weather if you take drugs that constrict the blood vessels (vasoconstrictors), regulate your blood pressure by blocking the adrenaline (beta blockers), rid your body of sodium and water (diuretics), or to reduce psychiatric symptoms (antidepressants or antipsychotics). Stimulants for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and illegal stimulants such as amphetamines and cocaine, it will also make you more vulnerable to heat stroke.
Certain health conditions. Certain chronic diseases such as heart or lung disease, may increase the risk of heat stroke. So that you can be overweight, being inactive and having a history of previous stroke.

The sudden exposure to hot weather. People may be more susceptible to heat-related illness when they are exposed to a sudden increase of the temperature, such as during an early-summer heat wave, or travel to a warmer climate.

Limit activity for at least several days to allow time to acclimate to the temperature change. However, you can still have a greater risk of heat stroke until the person experiences several weeks of higher temperatures.

Certain medications. Some medications affect the ability of your body to stay hydrated and to respond to the heat. Be especially careful in hot weather if you take drugs that constrict the blood vessels (vasoconstrictors), regulate your blood pressure by blocking the adrenaline (beta blockers), rid your body of sodium and water (diuretics), or to reduce psychiatric symptoms (antidepressants or antipsychotics).

Stimulants for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and illegal stimulants such as amphetamines and cocaine, it will also make you more vulnerable to heat stroke.

Complications

Heat stroke can result in a number of complications, depending on how much time the body temperature is high. Serious complications include:

Vital organ damage. Without a quick response to lower body temperature, heat stroke can cause the brain or other vital organs to swell, possibly resulting in permanent damage.
Death. Without timely and appropriate treatment, heatstroke can be fatal.

Prevention

Heat stroke is predictable and preventable. Take these steps to prevent heat stroke during hot weather:

Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing. The excess clothing or clothing that fits tightly not allowing your body to cool properly. Linen, silk, cotton or hemp are cooling.
Protect against sunburn. Sunburn affects your body's ability to cool itself, so protect yourself outdoors with a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. And the use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours or more often if you're swimming or perspiring.
Drink plenty of fluids. Stay hydrated to help your body sweat and maintain a normal body temperature.
Take extra precautions with certain medications. Be on the lookout for heat-related problems if you are taking any medications that may affect the ability of your body to stay hydrated and dissipate heat.
Never leave anyone in a parked vehicle.This is a common cause of heat-related deaths in children. When a car is parked in the sun, the temperature in the car can reach 20 degrees Fahrenheit (11 degrees Celsius) in 10 minutes. It is not safe to leave a person in a parked car in warm or heat, even if the windows are cracked or the car is in the shade. When your car is parked, to keep it closed to prevent a child from within.
Take it easy during the hottest parts of the day. If you can't avoid strenuous activity in hot weather, drink fluids and rest frequently in a cool spot. Try to schedule exercise or physical work for the coolest moments of the day, as early in the morning or at night.
Make it a habit. Limit the amount of time devoted to working or exercising in the heat until you are conditioned to do this. People who are not used to hot weather are especially susceptible to heat-related illnesses. It may take several weeks for your body to adjust to hot weather.

Never leave anyone in a parked vehicle. This is a common cause of heat-related deaths in children. When a car is parked in the sun, the temperature in the car can reach 20 degrees Fahrenheit (11 degrees Celsius) in 10 minutes.

It is not safe to leave a person in a parked car in warm or heat, even if the windows are cracked or the car is in the shade. When your car is parked, to keep it closed to prevent a child from within.

Be careful if you are at higher risk. If you take medications or have a condition that increases the risk of heat-related problems, avoid the heat and to act immediately if you experience symptoms of overheating. If you participate in a strenuous sporting event or activity in a hot climate, make sure there are no medical services available in case of an emergency heat.

Diagnosis

Health professionals can often diagnose the stroke without evidence. However, laboratory tests can confirm the diagnosis, rule out other causes of the symptoms and find out if there is any damage in the organs. These tests include:

The Rectal temperature to check the body's core temperature. A rectal temperature is the most accurate way of determining the temperature of the body and is more accurate than the mouth or in the forehead temperatures.
A blood test to check the blood sodium and potassium and the content of gases in the blood to see if there is damage to the central nervous system.
A urine test to check the color of your urine because it usually is more dark if someone has a heat-related condition. A urine test also checks kidney function, which can be affected by heat stroke.
The muscle damage tests to check for serious damage to the muscle tissue, known as rhabdomyolysis.
X-rays and other imaging tests to check for damage to the internal organs.

Treatment

Heatstroke treatment centers on cooling your body to a standard temperature to prevent or reduce damage to your brain and vital organs. To do that, a health professional can take these steps:

Immersion in cold water. A bath of cold or ice water has been shown to be the most effective way to quickly drop the core temperature of the body. The faster someone with heat stroke that received by immersion in cold water, less risk of death and organ damage.
The use of cooling techniques of evaporation. If immersion in cold water is not available, the health professionals can try to lower the body temperature by using an evaporation method. Cooling water is sprayed on the body, while the hot air is shined on the person, causing the water to evaporate and cool the skin.
Packaging with ice packs and cooling blankets. Another method is to wrap a person in a special cooling the blanket, and apply ice packs to the groin, the neck, the back and underarms to lower the temperature.
Give medicines to stop the shaking. If the treatments to lower the body temperature and makes you shiver, your doctor may give you a muscle relaxant, such as benzodiazepines. The tremor increases your body temperature, making the treatment less effective.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Treatment at home is not enough to heat stroke. If you have symptoms of a heat stroke, seek emergency medical help. Other measures should be taken to cool off while waiting for emergency help to arrive. Do not drink any liquids while waiting for medical assistance.

If you notice signs of heat-related illness, low the temperature of your body and prevent your condition from progressing to heat exhaustion. In a minor emergency heat, such as heat cramps or heat exhaustion, the following measures can reduce the temperature of your body:

Get a shade or air conditioning. If you don't have air conditioning at home, go to a place with air conditioning, such as a shopping mall, store or public library.
Cool off with damp sheets and a fan. If you are with someone who is experiencing symptoms related to the heat, cover the person with damp sheets or spray with cold water. Direct air to the person with a fan.
Take a cool shower or bath. If you are outdoors and not near refugio, soaking in a cool pond or flow can help to bring your temperature.
Rehydrate. Drink plenty of fluids. Also, because you lose salt through sweat, you can replace the water and salt with some sports drinks. If your healthcare provider has restricted the amount of fluid or salt intake, check with your health care professional to see how much fluid you should take and if you need to replace the salt.
Don't drink sugary or alcoholic drinks to rehydrate. These drinks can interfere with the body's ability to control its temperature. Also, very cold drinks can cause cramps in the stomach.