Mrs. Shovana Mishra
Heat Stroke, popularly known as sunstroke, is a life threatening condition in which the body’s heat regulating system fails. It happens due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures. Sunstroke occurs when the body fails to get rid of the excess heat due to the hot or humid weather or strenuous physical activity. Body temperature rises to very high levels which can damage major organs. Sunstroke can be preceded by heat exhaustion which leads to excess loss of fluids and salt in sweat thereby causing marked weakness. Heat exhaustion becomes sunstroke when the body can no longer maintain a normal body temperature. It may be accompanied by heat cramps, sudden painful muscle spasms in the arms or legs and sometimes in the abdomen. Aetiology when the blood temperature rises above its normal range, a control centre in the brain signals the circulatory system to increase blood flow and enlarge the blood vessels particularly these in the skin. As more blood flows through the enlarged vessels, excess heat from the blood passes into the cooler air. If this is not sufficient to cool the blood, the sweat glands begin to produce sweat, which cools the skin as it evaporates. If the air temperature is very high, however the blood may not cool down enough as it circulates through the skin. When the body loses too much fluid the blood volume decreases and the body temperature increases. If the body continues to generate heat faster than it can lose, the core temperature may rise to dangerous levels, causing sunstroke. In Layman’s language it occur when a person works in an extremely hot environment, exercises too strenuously in summer or overdressing and overeating can be contributing factors also.
Who are at risk?
Anyone exposed to high temperature is at risk of sunstroke.People particularly susceptible to sunstroke are young children, the elderly, individuals not used to physical activity, people suffering from certain chronic diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure and those involved in certain sporting activities like long distance running or cycling.
Signs and Symptoms :
Symptoms of sunstroke includes hot dry skin, high body temperature, headache, muscle cramps signs of mental disorders like incoherent speech, confusion, disorientation and hallucination, lethargy rapid and shallow breathing, the colours of skin turns pale, convulsions and finally loss of consciousness sometimes nausea or vomiting, weak or rapid pulse, heavy or no sweating and change in urine also appears.
Management :
The primary treatment for sunstroke is to lower the high temperature as quickly as possible. Before any medical help the first aid includes
Remove the person’s clothing and immerse the body in cold water bath, place ice-packs at the neck, armpits fan the person with a newspaper.
After bath move the person to a cool place, put the feet at a higher level than the body.
If the person is conscious, encourage him to sip water or soft drink.
Regular temperature should be recorded.
If the first aid doesn’t improve the body condition go for emergency medical help centres. Sunstroke can be fatal if not treated properly.
Prevention :
Sunstroke can be prevented by drinking plenty of water and avoiding overtaxing the body in hot weather. Rest during the hottest part of the day, limit exposure to the sun, wear a hat or cap, wear light – coloured, loose-fitting light weight clothing in hot weather. Eat light and small meals. ‘Prevention is better than cure’ goes an old saying. So sunstroke can also be prevented if people are aware of its causes, symptoms and medical help.