Given the current weather trend, a timely topic. Everyone has heard of heatstroke, but how much do you really know and understand about it?

•             What comes before heat stroke?
•             How do you prevent it?
•             How do you recognize it?
•             When you do recognize a problem, what then?

When the weather is hot, humid and relentless in this, the risk of heat-related illness raises daily. It is important for you to understand the risks, signs and urgent needs associated with this spectrum of disease.

 Heat cramps

Although unpleasant, heat cramps are not themselves life-threatening. Sometimes they’re mild but usually severe. Heat cramps involve the sudden, often brief onset of muscle cramps, often in the legs and stomach. They’re caused by a combination of dehydration, salt deficiency and muscle fatigue, and they tend to strike those who are exerting themselves for longer periods of time in a warm environment. Often they set in as the person sits to rest.

If you or someone near you experiences these unpleasant bouts, here are a few tips for treatment:

•             Don’t massage the area, this will only make it worse
•             Move to a cooler area out of direct sun
•             If the person is feeling faint, lie them down with legs propped up
•             If the person is feeling nausea, continue to cool them down
•             If there is no nausea, give fluids with a small amount of salt (for example, half-strength electrolyte solution, or lemonade with a sprinkle of salt) to drink slowly
•             If the person is sick, not getting better or has any other concerning symptoms (chest pain, short of breath, vomiting) seek medical care by calling 9-1-1 or going to the hospital

Often heat cramps go away with rest and fluids, but they may happen again if the person goes back to the exertion

Heat Exhaustion

This is the most common heat-related illness. Dehydration (loss of body water) and salt depletion (sweating out salt but replacing only the water) make a person at risk for heat exhaustion when they’re exposed to prolonged heat and humidity, or when they’re exerting themselves for periods of time in hot environments.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include: weakness, fatigue, headache, vertigo (feeling like the room spins around you), nausea and vomiting, sometimes muscle cramps.

With heat exhaustion, the body’s temperature regulation is still working, so body temperature does not rise above 105 degrees F (40 degrees C). This is a concerning condition, however, because heat exhaustion is potentially leading to the development of heatstroke. Before you realize it, the body’s cooling mechanisms can become overwhelmed and temperature can jump from normal to dangerously high (106 degrees F) in under 15 minutes. Never risk this progression! If you or someone around you is having symptoms, respond and react before the situation turns potentially deadly

If someone experiences heat exhaustion, they need to immediately move to a cooler environment. Lay them down, remove extra layers and prop up their legs. You can give some fluids if they’re not nauseated. Seek medical attention if they cannot drink or if they are not feeling better quickly. If someone has health problems like heart disease, diabetes, breathing problems or if they are elderly, seek medical attention immediately when you recognize the heat exhaustion.

 Heatstroke 

Thankfully rare in occurrence, heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency. Some patients have symptoms before the development, such as heat exhaustion, but some people develop heatstroke quickly and unexpectedly.

Heatstroke victims have body temperatures above 105 degrees F. The longer the temperature is elevated and the higher the elevation, the more danger they are in for deadly results.

Heatstroke gets its name because it can resemble a stroke. Invariably patients will have problems with neurological (brain) functioning. They may be confused, combative and fighting, unable to stand upright, slurring speech, weak in an extremity or half of the body, hallucinating, having a seizure or comatose. As the body’s ability to cool itself fails, temperature rises quickly which causes brain injury and swelling. This leads to the constellation of symptoms above.

Not only does heatstroke cause brain damage, it also leads to circulation problems, kidney failure, liver failure, possible heart failure and an inability for blood to clot properly (causing bleeding and blood clots at the same time).

Heatstroke myth: “They won’t be sweating if it’s heatstroke; I see sweat, so it must be the alcohol they were drinking.”

Not true! Victims of heatstroke will have very warm skin, but they may be sweating still. The presence of sweat does not mean the person doesn’t have heatstroke.

If a person develops symptoms of heatstroke:

•             Call for emergency help immediately
•             Move them to a cool place
•             Spray them with water mist and turn on a fan

In cases of true heatstroke, up to 60% can die from the associated complications. The sooner it is recognized and intervention begins, the better chance of a saved life.

Prevention:

• Wear lightweight, loose summer clothing that “breathes” so sweat can accomplish its goal of cooling you
• If you’re exerting yourself out in the heat and humidity, have a cool place to rest and use it often. Take water breaks, and you should have to take some bathroom breaks (a good way to know that you’re still staying hydrated)
• Stay in shade as much as possible on these hot, humid days. Better yet, air conditioning!
• Increase your daily fluid intake; if you’re thirsty, you’re already behind on hydration
• Avoid sugary beverages and tons of caffeine
• Stay stocked up on fans. You never know when the AC will go out, or when an elderly neighbor needs some help
• Keep a supply of cool drinks and ice available
• If you start to feel dizzy, weak or otherwise ill, or if you stop sweating, STOP and seek cooler environment and rehydration
• Check on elderly family members and neighbors. They’re less likely to feel thirsty, more likely to be dehydrated and may not be able to easily access the water they need to stay healthy and safe

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Sources researched for the above information:

Nancy Caroline’s Emergency Care in the Streets (Caroline)

Rosen’s Emergency Medicine (J. Marx, MD et al.)