Heatstroke

What is Heatstroke?
Heatstroke is a life-threatening condition where your body overheats to 104°F (40°C) or higher.

Heat Exhaustion vs. Heatstroke:
Heat Exhaustion involves heavy sweating and pale skin. Heat Stroke is worse: the body stops sweating, skin becomes hot/red, and confusion sets in.

⚠️ MEDICAL EMERGENCY
Heatstroke can kill. It causes brain, heart, and kidney damage within minutes.

Call 911 immediately if you suspect heatstroke. Do not give the person fluids to drink if they are not fully conscious.

Symptoms

The hallmark of heatstroke is a core body temperature above 104°F (40°C). Other signs include:

• Altered Mental State: Confusion, agitation, slurred speech, or delirium.
• Hot, Dry Skin: In classic heatstroke, the skin feels hot and dry (no sweating). Note: In exertional heatstroke caused by exercise, skin may still be slightly moist.
• Flushed Skin: Skin turns red.
• Rapid Breathing & Heart Rate: The heart pumps faster to try to cool the body.
• Headache: A throbbing headache.
• Nausea: Feeling sick or vomiting.

Immediate First Aid (While Waiting for Help)

Time is muscle. You must cool the person down before the ambulance arrives.

1. Move to Shade: Get the person indoors or into the shade immediately.
2. Remove Clothing: Take off excess clothes (shoes, socks, heavy shirts).
3. Cool Rapidly: This is the most important step.
   • Spray them with a garden hose.
   • Sponge with cool water.
   • Place ice packs on the neck, armpits, and groin (these areas have large blood vessels close to the skin).

Causes

Heatstroke usually occurs in two forms:

• Exertional: Caused by intense exercise in hot weather (common in athletes and outdoor workers).
• Non-Exertional (Classic): Caused by exposure to hot, humid weather for prolonged periods (common in older adults or infants left in cars).

Contributing Factors: Dehydration, alcohol consumption, and wearing excess clothing.

Complications

Depending on how long the body temperature remains high, complications include:

• Vital Organ Damage: The brain swells, leading to permanent damage.
• Rhabdomyolysis: Muscle breakdown that releases toxins into the blood, causing kidney failure.
• Death: Without rapid cooling, the survival rate drops significantly.

Diagnosis

Doctors diagnose mostly by physical signs, but tests confirm the severity:

• Blood Tests: To check for low sodium/potassium and muscle enzymes (signs of muscle breakdown).
• Urine Test: Dark urine indicates kidney stress.
• Muscle Function Tests: To check for rhabdomyolysis.

Medical Treatment

In the hospital, the goal is aggressive cooling:

• Ice Water Immersion: The most effective method. The patient is placed in a bath of ice water.
• Evaporation Cooling: Misting warm skin with water while fanning warm air over the body.
• Shiver Prevention: Doctors may give muscle relaxants (benzodiazepines) because shivering actually creates more body heat.

Disclaimer: The content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician regarding any medical condition.