Heat Stroke and Emergency Conditions due to Overheated Body

Bumisuka.com – Heat Stroke and Emergency Conditions due to Overheated Body. After outdoor activities during the day or after strenuous exercise, we will feel the body becomes hotter. Actually it’s a normal response, because the body can return the body temperature back to normal.

However, in some conditions, the body is unable to regulate body temperature due to an increase in body temperature that is too high. This situation can be very dangerous as it can lead to heat stroke.

What is heat stroke? The following is an explanation of the causes, symptoms, as well as how to prevent and overcome them.

1. What is heat stroke?

Based on a report in the journal Comprehensive Physiology, heat stroke is a life-threatening condition, which is clinically characterized by a severe increase in body temperature.

This condition can be accompanied by central nervous system failure, often leading to altered consciousness, delirium, seizures, and coma.

Heat stroke occurs due to excessive body heat, usually due to prolonged exposure to heat or physical activity in high temperatures. Heat stroke can occur if the body temperature rises to 40 degrees Celsius or more. Generally, this condition most often occurs in the dry season months.

2. Occurs due to failure of body temperature regulation

Basically, the body already has a physiological process to maintain body temperature from changes in environmental temperature. This process is called thermoregulation.

According to a study published in the Journal of Intensive Care, normal body temperature is maintained at around 37 degrees Celsius by the anterior hypothalamus through a process of thermoregulation. Several mechanisms such as sweat production and others serve to cool the body surface.

When body temperature increases, the blood vessels around the skin dilate, causing increased blood flow in the skin and triggering thermal sweating. The loss of salt and water through sweat leads to dehydration and reduced salt levels in the body.

If you don’t get an immediate supply of mineral fluids, this condition can cause fatigue, heat, and muscle cramps. Furthermore, loss of salt and water can impair thermoregulation processes and result in decreased organ function, resulting in organ failure.

Therefore, heat stroke is referred to as a condition of failure of the function of many organs due to a hot environment.

3. The main cause is hot conditions

Although the cause of heat stroke is generally due to a hot environment, there are several things that can also cause this condition. Launching the Mayo Clinic, heat stroke most often occurs due to hot environmental temperatures. This type of heat stroke is called classic or non-exertional heat stroke. Being in a hot environment causes an increase in core body temperature. This usually occurs after prolonged exposure to hot and humid weather.

In addition, intensive physical activities such as sports, work, etc. that are carried out in the heat can cause an increase in core body temperature. Anyone can get this type of heat stroke, but it is more common when the body is not used to high temperatures.

Wearing thick clothing can also cause heat stroke because it makes it harder for sweat to evaporate and cool the body. Alcohol consumption has an influence on the ability to regulate body temperature. Dehydration due to not drinking enough water, so the fluids lost due to sweat are not replaced and trigger heat stroke.

4. What are the symptoms?

Because we live in a country that tends to be hot, it is important to distinguish the symptoms of heat stroke from other conditions. Still sourced from the Mayo Clinic, some of the symptoms that are signs that the body is suffering from heat stroke are:

• High body temperature, which is more than 40 degrees Celsius.
• Decreased consciousness. Confusion, difficulty speaking or slurred, irritability, delirium, seizures, and coma.
• Reduced sweating. In heat stroke conditions due to hot weather, the skin will feel hot and dry to the touch. However, in heat stroke due to strenuous exercise, the skin feels dry or slightly damp.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Reddened skin.
• Breaths become fast and shallow.
• Heart pounding.
• Headache.

If you feel some of these signs, don’t hesitate to seek medical help, OK!

5. How to deal with heat stroke

Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency. Therefore, if there are people around us have signs that lead to heat stroke, immediately do first aid. Reported by the Australian Red Cross, the first aid steps that can be taken are:

• Help the patient lie down in a cool or shady place.
• Remove excess clothing and loosen tight clothing.
• Cool the patient with a fan and moisturize the skin if possible. Do not use ice as it causes sudden changes in temperature.
• If the patient is fully conscious, give drinking water in small portions but often.
• If a muscle cramp occurs, gently stretch the cramped muscle so that the pain subsides.
• If the patient is unconscious or the condition does not change, seek medical attention immediately.

6. How to prevent it?

Preventing heat stroke is very important, especially when moving in hot weather. According to a report in the Journal of Intensive Care, here’s how to prevent it:

• Using air conditioning or a fan when in a closed room
• Limiting outdoor activities during the day
• Consume lots of fluids, especially if you are doing strenuous activities
• Wear light colored loose clothing. Light colored clothes are believed to absorb less heat than dark colored clothes
• Be aware of the side effects of medications, especially those that can cause frequent urination, reduced sweating, or decreased heart rate
• Do not leave persons with disabilities, the elderly, or children in the car unattended
• Perform cooling movements after exercise to return body temperature to normal

Those are medical facts about heat stroke, including causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention. Be careful when doing activities or exercising in hot weather and always remember the tips above. May be useful!