It doesn't matter what kind of heat you feel these days, right? You sweat and feel lifeless. But did you know that this extreme heat can be a dangerous condition that can be simply put, sometimes even life-threatening. So, today we are going to talk about the most severe and dangerous condition caused by heat. That is heat stroke.
What exactly is heat stroke?
Simply put, heat stroke is the most severe form of heat-related illness. It occurs when our bodies become too hot and cannot cool themselves. Think about it, our bodies have a natural cooling system. We sweat as part of that system. As sweat evaporates, our skin cools down.
However, when we are in a very hot environment (such as a poorly ventilated house or a parked car), or when we exercise excessively, the heat produced by our body increases beyond our control. At this time, our body temperature rises to a dangerous level of 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) . That is when we call it heat stroke.
Heat stroke is a life-threatening medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. The longer treatment is delayed, the greater the risk of damage to internal organs and death.
Heat stroke is usually preceded by a less severe condition called 'heat exhaustion'. This means feeling faint, dizzy, and nauseous. However, heat stroke can sometimes occur suddenly without warning . The main difference between the two is that heat stroke affects the brain (encephalopathy). This means that the person's behavior and thinking changes. They may show signs of agitation, confusion, and aggression. They may even lose consciousness.
If you or someone close to you has these symptoms, call the 1990 Suwaseriya Ambulance Service immediately or take them to a hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) as soon as possible.
There are two types of heat stroke.
We divide this situation into two main parts.
| Type of heat stroke | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| Classic (non-exertional) Heat Stroke (The type that occurs when you don't exercise) | This happens because of the extreme heat in the environment. Imagine, when we are in a house without air conditioning (AC), or inside a parked car, our body's cooling system cannot cope. This condition affects young children and people over 65 years of age the most. This is the type we hear about when we hear about extreme heat in the news. |
| Exertional Heat Stroke (The type that occurs during exercise) | This occurs because excessive physical activity (exercise, sports, heavy lifting) generates a lot of heat (metabolic heat) within the body. This can often happen during exercise in hot weather. But it can also happen at normal temperatures. This condition mostly affects young, healthy people. |
What are the symptoms of heat stroke? How do you recognize it?
It is very important to be aware of these symptoms, because the person in this situation may not be able to ask for help themselves. Therefore, making people around them aware of this can help save a life.
The main symptoms are these:
- High internal body temperature: Usually above 40 degrees Celsius (104°F).
- Behavioral changes: Things like unexplained agitation, aggression, confusion, and delirium.
- Blurred vision.
- Dizziness .
- Fainting / Syncope.
- High heart rate (Tachycardia).
- Increased breathing rate and shallow breathing (Tachypnea).
- Low blood pressure (Hypotension).
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Seizures .
- Slurring words when speaking.
- Skin discoloration: Skin becomes red or pale.
- Dry skin (in classic heat stroke) or excessive sweating (in exertional heat stroke).
- Extreme weakness in the body.
You may experience some of these symptoms yourself. If you do, seek medical help immediately. But if you become confused and lose consciousness, you will need someone to help you. That's why it's important for us all to be aware of these symptoms.
Who is at higher risk of developing heat stroke?
Some people are at higher risk of developing this condition. Let's see who they are.
Occupation and activities
Agricultural workers, construction workers, firefighters, military personnel, and athletes are at increased risk. Also, even someone who is not used to exercising in the heat can be at increased risk if they suddenly exercise outdoors.
Environment and social factors
- Loss of air conditioning (AC) facilities at home.
- Living in an area with a hot climate (like the dry zone of Sri Lanka).
- Living alone (because there is no one to help in an emergency).
- Exercising beyond the body's capacity due to pressure from friends or coaches.
Age and health conditions
- People over 65 years of age and young infants.
- Pregnant mothers.
- Dehydration .
- Having a viral or bacterial infection (such as the flu).
- Having cardiovascular disease.
- Medical conditions that reduce the ability to sweat.
Some medications and drugs
Some medications and drugs you take can also increase your risk of heat stroke. These can interfere with the body's cooling system, dehydrate the body, or increase the body's heat production.
- Medications: Medications such as amphetamines, antihistamines, antipsychotics, diuretics, and beta-blockers.
- Other substances: Drugs such as alcohol, cocaine, and heroin.
If you are taking any medication like this, it is very important to ask your doctor about any special instructions you need to follow during this hot weather.
What do we do if someone suddenly has a heat stroke? (First aid)
This is the most important part. If someone is showing signs of heat stroke, there are a few things we can do without waiting for the ambulance to arrive. If we can start cooling the body within 30 minutes of the onset of symptoms, the chances of recovery are much greater.
| ✔️ Things to do | ❌ Things not to do |
|---|---|
| 1. Move to a cool place immediately: Remove from the sun, move to a shaded, air-conditioned place if possible. | 1. Do not give fever-reducing medications: Do not give medications like Paracetamol. Heat stroke is not a normal fever. These medications can make the condition worse. |
| 2. Pour water on your body: Pour water on your body and blow air on it. If you have a fan, use it. | 2. Don't give anything to drink: This may seem strange, but if you give water to someone who is confused, it can get stuck in the airway (aspiration). This is dangerous. |
| 3. Use ice-cold cloths: Cover as much of your body as possible with ice-cold towels or cloths. Change the cloth every minute. | |
| 4. Apply ice packs: Apply ice packs to areas with major blood vessels, such as the armpits, groin, and neck. |
What happens at the hospital?
Doctors and nurses in the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) use methods to quickly cool the body until its temperature reaches a safe level.
- Cold water immersion: The entire body (except the head) is immersed in a tub of ice water.
- Misting and fanning: Large fans circulate air while misting the body.
- Also, if necessary, IV fluids (saline) are administered and medications are given to support organ function.
How can we protect ourselves from this dangerous situation?
Heat stroke is often preventable. With a little planning, you can stay safe.
- Keep your home cool: Use fans and, if possible, air conditioning (AC). Fans alone may not be enough on days when the temperature is above 37 degrees Celsius.
- Make a plan for hot days: If your home is not cool enough, think of a cool place where you can spend the hottest part of the day (e.g., a community center, shopping mall, movie theater).
- Drink plenty of water: Drink plenty of water before, during, and after exercising. If possible, drinking something like orange water is also great. You can also use a solution like Jeevani (on medical advice) to restore electrolytes that are lost from the body through sweat. It is essential to drink plenty of water even on days when you are just exercising.
- Avoid exposure to extreme heat: Limit outdoor work and exercise during the hottest hours of the day (between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.). If you do exercise, choose early morning or late afternoon.
- Wear light clothing: Wear light-colored, sweat-absorbing, and loose-fitting clothing like cotton.
- Never leave children or pets alone in a vehicle: Never leave children in a parked vehicle for even a minute . The temperature inside a vehicle can rise to dangerous levels very quickly.
- Be aware of those at risk: Always check on your family members, including elderly people, young children, or those with chronic illnesses, during this hot season.
Don't think that heat stroke is something that only marathon runners can get. Even someone who is just staying at home on a hot day can get it. So, talk to your family and friends about this. Make them aware of these symptoms too.
Take-Home Message
- Heat stroke is a life-threatening medical emergency caused by extreme heat.
- The main symptom is a high body temperature (above 40°C) and symptoms related to brain function, such as impaired consciousness, confusion, and behavioral changes .
- If someone has these symptoms, call 1990 Ambulance Service immediately, move the patient to a cool place, and begin cooling the body by pouring water on them.
- Never give anything to drink or fever-reducing medicine to a confused patient.
- This condition can be largely prevented by drinking plenty of water, avoiding the hottest times of the day, and wearing light clothing.
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