Causes, risk factors and treatment associated with heat stroke

Heat stroke and heat exhaustion are heat related health conditions that may be serious and life threatening if not treated adequately and promptly. These are normal in very hot and dry weathers and are mainly seen in the tropical countries.

Heat exhaustion happens when the body’s temperature within, or the core temperature, increases above the normal 37°C (98.6°F) to anything up to 40°C (104°F). The water and salts in the body at this temperature begins to fall directing to a general feeling of illness, faintness and heavy sweating. This stage needs to be rapidly treated by taking the person to a cool place, giving water to drink and removing redundant clothing. Within 30 to 40 minutes the patient starts to feel better and there are no lasting ill effects of the situation. If heat exhaustion is left untreated, it could lead to heatstroke.

Causes:
Heat related conditions are not an outcome of a hot environment alone. The three factors that define causation of these conditions include:
• High environmental temperature
• High humidity
• increased physical exertion
Heat related health situation may begin as heat cramps and proceed to heat exhaustion and finally heat stroke.

Risk factors:
People who evolve heat stroke easier than others include:
• Children below two years
• Very old persons
• Disabled persons,
• Those with heart, kidney or other problems
• Those with diabetes who take normal insulin

Complications:
Heat stroke may direct to complications like dehydration and may require hospitalization. Heat stroke happens when the body is unable to cool itself and the temperature proceeds to rise. As the temperature reaches over 40°C (104°F), the cells inside the body discontinue working and start to break down. This may direct to organ failure and brain damage and even death. There may be presages such as shallow and quick breathing rates, confusion, and unconsciousness.

Treatment:

It requires instant emergency attention.
• The influenced person should be kept as cool as possible
• Excess clothing should be removed;
• Patient should be cooled down further by fanning etc.
• In deliberate patients cool but not cold water is offered to drink in sip
Prevention of heat related emergencies
• Prevention of heat related emergencies include simple precautions like staying out of the sun, peculiarly between 11am and 3pm when it is the hottest. Those who require stepping out may use a shade or an umbrella, apply sunscreen and wear a wide brimmed hat.
• Extreme physical exertion in the heat should be avoided.
• During heat waves all are deliberated to take plenty of fluids while evading those that include caffeine and alcohol and also take cold foods like fruits and salads that are rich in fluids.
• Individuals are deliberated to take regular and if required frequent showers and sprinkle water over skin and clothing to keep them cool.