Heat Exhaustion and Sunstroke
Heat Exhaustion and Sunstroke can strike fast. One summer we went camping with a number of our friends so we could all go water skiing together. We were all having fun in the water and we never noticed that one of the boys was as red as a lobster.
Yes, it was hot out but we were all in the water so it didn't really matter, right? Wrong.
At the end of the day we discovered that he had sunstroke. I can't tell you how surprised I was because we were in and out of the lake which was cold water, so how could this happen?
What Is Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is the excess loss of salt and fluids due to perspiration. It results in marked weakness and usually precedes sunstroke. Heat exhaustion may be accompanied with sudden muscle spasms in the arms and legs and sometimes the abdomen.
This is the first sign that you should stop what you are doing, get out of the sun and get a cold drink.
What is Sunstroke
Sunstroke, also known as Heatstroke, is life-threatening condition. It is caused when your body can't regulate the heat of your body due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures, excessive production of heat or a combination of the two.It is so threatening because a prolonged rise in your body's temperature can cause damage to your major organs.
Your Body
When you get overheated the hypothalamus sends the signal to the circulatory system to enlarge the blood vessels and to increase the blood flow especially in the skin.
The blood flows through the enlarged vessels and excess heat passes throught your skin into the cooler air.
If this doesn't lower the heat in your blood you then start to perspire.
If the air temperature is very high and the body doesn't cool off your blood volume will decrease, your body temperature will rise and heat exhaustion begins. Prolonged exposure can turn to sunstroke.
Sunstroke can occur when you are working in high temperatures. It can be brought on by hard exercise in the summer, humid weather or high fever from illness.
Overeating, wearing to many clothes and too much alcohol can also contribute to sunstroke.
Prevention
Sunstroke can be prevented by drinking plenty of water and by avoiding strenuous exercise in high temperatures.
Who is at Risk
Everyone is at risk for sunstroke but the following people are at higher risk:
- Young children
- Elderly people
- People with chronic illness
- Alcoholics
People with skin disorders - People taking medications that may interfere with temperature regulation
- People involved in strenuous sporting activities
- People who have a problem with extreme heat
Symptoms of sunstroke
- Hot, dry skin
- No perspiration
- Skin is first flushed, then pale or purple
- Hyperventilation
- Rapid pulse alternates between rapid and normal
- Extremely high body temperature (106 or higher)
- Headache
- Dilated pupils
- Muscle cramps
- Disorientation, confusion, incoherent speech
- Sluggish and extremely slow reactions
- Convulsions
- Loss of consciousness
This is an emergency and the person should be seen by a doctor for treatment.
First Aid
The first aid for sunstroke is to lower the elevated body temperature; this can be done by placing the person in cool water or rub the limbs with ice cubes.
If this is not possible cover the person with a wet sheet or towel and sponge the body down with cool water.
If water is limited wet anything that will hold water and place it at the back of the neck, under the arms and the groin and elevate the feet so that blood will flow to the head.
Do this while you are waiting for medical help or are in transport to medical help.