Heat stroke occurs when the body temperature rises abnormally causing neurological and physical symptoms. If heat exhaustion is not treated in time, it can lead to a heat stroke. Heat stroke is a medical emergency which can cause brain damage, coma and even death if not treated at the earliest.


It is also referred to as sunstroke, heat fatigue, heat exhaustion or heat contraction. People who are most at risk to heat strokes include babies, athletes, elderly people and people who physically toil in the sun. Elderly people are susceptible to this condition especially if they are on medications which can easily cause dehydration or if they are suffering from ailments like heart problems or lung or kidney disease.


Medications which can reduce the body’s capacity to sweat, such as antihistamines, diuretics and anticholinergic drugs, can facilitate non-exertional heat strokes. Other factors like poor intake of water, alcohol consumption and lack of air conditioning can worsen the condition.

One of the major causes of heatstroke points to the fact of too much exposure to the heat of the sun, without adequate hydration. Heat stroke is categorized as exertional and non-exertional depending on the level of physical activity directly under the sun. Physically straining your body on a hot day can raise body temperature beyond the body’s ability to cool it down and hence result in an exertional heat stroke. Preventing heatstroke from happening is one of the best treatments for heat stroke. If someone is prone to suffering a heat stroke, the best way of avoiding a heat stroke would be to refrain from going out in the sun as far as possible. Such people should always wear loose fitting and light colored clothes and carry a bottle of water with them all the time to avoid dehydration. At the slightest hint of fatigue, they should find a cool and shady resting spot. If a person suffers a heat stroke due to dehydration, intravenous fluids would be necessary to get them rehydrated and restore their normal body temperature.

The signs and symptoms of heatstroke could be very similar to those of a heart attack and the most common symptoms include elevated body temperature, hot flushes without sweat, rapid pulse rate, breathlessness, hallucinations, odd behavior, irritation, disorientation, confusion, seizures and even coma. Some people experience the symptoms of heat stroke all of a sudden while others first experience heat exhaustion symptoms like fatigue, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, dizziness and headaches which can advance into a heat stroke. These symptoms usually differ from person to person. If a heat stroke is suspected, the patient must be given immediate medical attention to avoid permanent damage to other organs in the body. One of the most important treatments for heat stroke is getting the body to cool down. The cooling procedure must begin immediately and continue till the patient is revived. This treatment of first aid for heatstroke is important as it would help revive the body from intense exhaustion. Cooling can be done by taking the person to a shady spot, removing clothing and putting cold water or ice packs on the groin area and in the arm pits. Fanning the victim helps to induce sweat and evaporation. This process should continue at least till the body temperature drops to 101 or 102 degrees Fahrenheit. If the victim’s exposure to direct heat is immediately reduced, it can help prevent irreversible damage and the risk of multiple organ failure.

The next step in the treatment process would be to intimate emergency services or 911. Further instructions from the emergency team can be followed to help the victim till they arrive. The victim should always be placed in the recovery position to ensure that the air passages are open. If the victim is conscious, supplemental oxygen should be provided. Once the victim is revived, water with electrolyte, juice or glucose should be given to keep him/her to keep the person hydrated. No oral medications should be given to heat stroke victims to reduce fever or treat any other symptoms in the absence of medical personnel. Antipyretics are of no help in treating heat stroke victims. The next step in the treatment for heat stroke is to move the victim into intensive care where the focus is still on reducing body temperature, optimizing circulation and monitoring and treating complications. A thermistor probe is inserted to continuously monitor the victim’s temperature. Along with this, loss of fluids and gastrointestinal bleeding are also monitored by inserting a nasogastric tube and a Foley catheter is used to monitor the output of urine. It is very important as part of the heat stroke remedies, to monitor the victim’s condition and body temperature over the following days as thermal instability is common in heat stroke victims.

The next step in the treatment for heat stroke involves stopping the excess heat production in the body by following the necessary steps. Benzodiazepines must be given to the victim to stop shivering and anxiety. The required medications should be given to lower the risk of seizures, reduce hypotension, hepatotoxicity and other negative effects of a heat stroke. If the victim is experiencing convulsions, anti-convulsant medications should also be given at the earliest. If the patient has any pre-existing medical conditions or heart problems, intravenous fluids need to be administered accordingly. This has to be done on a case to case basis because each person is different and has to be treated after taking into account various health related factors. In the case of heat strokes, the cooling process itself allows central redistribution of blood hence improving cardiac activity and hypotension. A heat stroke victim should never be resuscitated with fluids immediately as it can lead to an accumulation of fluids in the lungs, also known as pulmonary edema. The best way to prevent heat strokes is to avoid physical exertion in the direct sun. For some people, their livelihood depends on working in the hot sun. Such people should drink plenty of fluids through the day and avoid consumption of coffee, tea and alcohol which can lead to dehydration. Keeping the head covered and wearing light colored loose clothes is also very helpful to keep the body cooler. Heat stroke is a high priority emergency which can be fatal if not treated properly and quickly.