Heat Stroke Symptoms and Treatments

Heat stroke or sun stroke, or advanced hyperthermia, is a condition caused by excessive exposure to very high temperatures in which the body either absorbs or produces excess heat. This leads to an abnormally high body temperature. The body becomes overwhelmed when it is unable to regulate the heat. This condition must be treated immediately or it can prove to be fatal. Dehydration is also a cause of heat stroke and occurs when the person is unable to produce enough sweat to dispel the heat, leading to a high body temperature. The ones who are more vulnerable to heat stroke are infants. Elderly persons are also at risk because they may be on medication for conditions such as heart disease, lung or kidney diseases, as these medications increase their susceptibility to it. People who do a lot of outdoor work and also athletes can be afflicted due to their prolonged exposure to the sun. Heat stroke symptoms can resemble those of a heart attack. Generally a person experiences signs of heat exhaustion before displaying symptoms of heat stroke. These symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, weakness, headache, muscle cramp and dizziness.

There are a number of simple things that can be done to avoid heat stroke. One of the first things that must be done is to get out of the sun – avoid being in the sun when it is at its highest. It is important that this is done even when you have been recovering for a few weeks because over exposure to sun can cause a relapse. It is recommended that you remain in air conditioned environs as well. If there is no alternative but to go out, ensure that you wear a hat. As far as clothing is concerned, it is better to wear cotton clothing that allows your body to breathe. It is also important that you drink plenty of water – especially right before you go outdoors. You should also drink plenty of other fluids like juices. Bathing is a good way to cool the down but instead of sitting down in a bath tub, pour cold water all over your body. Alcohol is something that you should avoid because it only dehydrates you. This is true of caffeine as well. If you are a smoker, this is a good time to quit smoking because smoking will only help to worsen your condition by squeezing your blood vessels, and not allowing you to get used to the heat.