{"id":2370,"date":"2018-08-14T04:03:13","date_gmt":"2018-08-14T04:03:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=2370"},"modified":"2021-03-19T15:06:18","modified_gmt":"2021-03-19T15:06:18","slug":"12-heat-stroke-symptoms-and-how-to-avoid-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/12-heat-stroke-symptoms-and-how-to-avoid-them\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Heat Stroke Symptoms and How to Avoid Them"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Heat stroke is a serious and potentially dangerous injury that will require immediate medical attention. It is the most severe condition related to heat and stems from a milder illness such as heat exhaustion or heat cramps. According to the medical definition, a person experiences heat stroke when the body temperature reaches 105 degrees fahrenheit in combination with complications with the central nervous system. This is caused by overexposure to very high temperatures.<\/p>\n

The symptoms of heat stroke can be quite detrimental and even deadly if a person is not treated appropriately right away. If you have spent an extended amount of time in the sun and you have any of the twelve symptoms that are listed below, you need to seek medical attention right away. Avoid spending long amounts of time in the hot sun whenever possible as heat related conditions can become severe quite quickly.<\/p>\n

1. Very Hot Skin<\/h3>\n

Skin that is very hot and red is one of the first and most popular signs that a person may be suffering from heat stroke<\/a>. If your skin feels hot to the touch and your internal body temperature is 105 degrees fahrenheit or higher, it is important to go to the doctor immediately. The skin begins to turn red when you are suffering from heat stroke because it is attempting to cool itself down.<\/p>\n

This is caused by a rush of blood to the skin. While a simple sunburn will also cause the skin to turn red, when the body temperature rises to above 105 it becomes quite serious. In addition to the skin becoming quite hot and red in color, it may also feel very dry or be clammy to the touch. This symptom will depend on the type of heat stroke that you are experiencing. <\/p>\n

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2. Dizziness and Fainting<\/h3>\n

When the body temperature begins to rise, a person who is suffering from heat stroke may begin to feel quite dizzy. Fainting<\/a> is also common among heat stroke victims. The dizziness often occurs after the skin becomes inflamed and red. The body is pushing the blood towards the skin as a way to cool it down.<\/p>\n

During this process the body is not sending as much blood to the brain. When the brain is not getting enough blood, a person may feel dizzy or even sick to their stomach. If your skin is red, you have a fever of 105 degrees fahrenheit or more, and you feel faint, seek medical attention immediately. Medical intervention is necessary in order to help get the body cooled down as quickly as possible. If you or someone you know experiences any signs of heat stroke, a visit to the doctor is in order. <\/p>\n

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3. Extreme Fatigue<\/h3>\n

It is quite normal to feel a bit tired after being out in the sun all day. Taking a nap or simply resting is often necessary after a long day out in the heat. However, if you are feeling overly tired and also have some of the other symptoms that are on this list, there is a good chance that you have developed heat stroke.<\/p>\n

Even if you think that you are just tired from being in the sun and your skin is not extremely hot to the touch, you still may want to seek medical attention as this is the best way to ensure your safety. It does not take long for simple heat exhaustion to turn into heat stroke and a medical professional will be able to help ease the symptoms and get your body temperature<\/a> back to where it needs to be. <\/p>\n

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4. Nausea and Vomiting<\/h3>\n

Another indication that simple heat exhaustion has turned into something more severe is nausea. A constant uneasy feeling in your stomach, especially in combination with dizziness, could mean that your heat related condition is worse than you may have thought. Make sure that you drink a lot of water to help ease the nausea. If your nausea progresses into vomiting it is a definite sign that you have developed heat stroke.<\/p>\n

It is quite critical that you seek out medical care as fast as possible if you begin to vomit with your heat related injury<\/a> and also have some of the other symptoms on this list. Drinking water on the way to seeking medical attention can help as it will keep you somewhat hydrated. While it may be difficult to drink anything when you are feeling this bad, at least attempting small sips of water can go a long way. <\/p>\n

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5. Rapid Heartbeat<\/h3>\n

If you have spent a lot of time in the sun and then notice that your heart is beating quite rapidly, it can be a sure sign that there is something seriously wrong. The heart starts to beat faster when it is feeling stressed<\/a>. When the body is exposed to extreme heat conditions, the heart will beat faster because it needs to make sure that the natural cooling systems of the body are working in order to keep the temperature of the body balanced.<\/p>\n

If you have any of the other symptoms on this list and you notice that your heart is beating faster than normal, seek medical attention immediately. A rapid heartbeat is a sure sign that there is something wrong in the body and you will want to make sure that you are checked out by a medical care provider to determine what is going on. <\/p>\n

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7. Mental Confusion<\/h3>\n

A person who is suffering from heat stroke often states that they feel extremely dizzy. In addition, being mentally confused is also quite common. If you are struggling to think, cannot focus, and are having difficulty remembering things, it could be a sign that you are suffering from heat stroke.<\/p>\n

Mental confusion is common among people who are suffering from heat stroke because heat stroke will throw the entire central nervous system<\/a> out of whack. When this occurs a person may be confused, become aggressive, have a lack of coordination, or even be unable to walk properly. The person may be awake and seem ok, but similar to a concussion there are obvious signs that something is not right. All of these signals are a huge red flag that they are suffering from heat stroke and need to seek medical attention immediately before the symptoms become worse.<\/p>\n

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\"\"8. Seizures<\/h3>\n

A seizure<\/a> is a very serious and quite dangerous symptom caused by heat stroke. If a person starts to have a seizure, immediate medical attention is required. Often times a person who is suffering from heat stroke will simply fall to the ground and have a seizure without any type of warning whatsoever. If you suffer a seizure along with any of these other symptoms, medical attention is necessary.<\/p>\n

If you witness someone having a seizure, make sure that you get them to the hospital right away. Even if the person seems fine after the seizure occurs, they still need to be seen by a medical professional in order to determine what caused the seizure as well as if there was any damage done to the body because of the seizure. No one who has a seizure should avoid medical care as this is a dangerous symptom and often will occur once again. <\/p>\n

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9. Not Sweating<\/h3>\n

There are two types of heat stroke that you must understand in order to fully grasp all of the symptoms that may be a sign that a person is suffering from this ailment<\/a>. A lack of sweating occurs when a person is suffering from traditional heat stroke. The other type of heat stroke is exertional heat stroke. Traditional heat stroke will come on gradually and is most common among the elderly and the young.<\/p>\n

The reason for this is because these age groups have more difficulty maintaining an internal body temperature. Exertional heat stroke comes on more quickly and is often seen in those who play sports or workout in extreme heat. A person that is suffering from traditional heat stroke will not sweat at all. The skin becomes almost dry and very hot. This is a sure sign that they are suffering from heat stroke and they need medical attention right away. <\/p>\n

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10. Sweating Profusely<\/h3>\n

Exertional heat stroke is different from traditional heat stroke both in who it affects the most as well as some of the symptoms. Exertional heat stroke will cause a person to sweat profusely as opposed to not sweating at all like with a traditional heat stroke. Exertional heat stroke comes on more suddenly, the body does not have time to adjust for the heat and to stop producing sweat like it does when traditional heat stroke occurs.<\/p>\n

It is a common misconception that someone who is sweating a lot is not suffering from heat stroke. With exertional heat stroke a person\u2019s body is still attempting to maintain the core internal temperature. This means that a person suffering this type of heat stroke is most likely to be profusely sweating. Do not ignore this symptom<\/a>, especially if it is accompanied by other items on this list. Seek medical attention immediately. <\/p>\n

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11. Severe Headache<\/h3>\n

If you have spent a lot of time in the sun and you come down with a severe headache<\/a>, it could be a signal that you are suffering from heat stroke. It is quite common for people to experience a bit of a headache after being out in the sun for too long. This is especially true if they do not drink enough water throughout the day.<\/p>\n

However, if a person develops a headache that is severe in combination with one or more of the other symptoms on this list, it is likely an indication of heat stroke. Often times the headache is caused by dehydration. It may also be caused by the impact that heat stroke has on the central nervous system. Either way, if you experience a severe headache and any of these other symptoms, you should seek medical attention right away and try to drink some water. <\/p>\n

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12. Shallow Breathing and Loss of Consciousness<\/h3>\n

Rapid or shallow breathing is one of the scarier symptoms of heat stroke. A person may feel like they cannot catch their breath. If this occurs, make sure that all tight clothing is removed and call 911 immediately for help. Losing consciousness<\/a> is not common among heat stroke victims, but it may occur in severe cases.<\/p>\n

This is a severe and quite real symptom of heat stroke and if a person loses consciousness from heat related injuries it is important to get medical help on the scene as soon as possible. If a person is vomiting, has a seizure, or loses consciousness while they are out in the heat, make sure to get them to the hospital right away before further damage is done to their body. Staying cool and hydrated and getting out of the sun for periods at a time is the best way to avoid being overtaken by heat stroke.<\/p>\n

\"\"13. Thirst<\/h3>\n

Heat stroke dehydrates your body, and dehydration<\/a> is one of the primary reasons why your body suddenly starts to shut down, and you experience feelings of nausea, lightheadedness, and fatigue. Staying hydrated is critical, and when you realize you\u2019re dealing with heat stroke, it’s best to start drinking water right away.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your body lets you know its dehydrated by increasing sensations of thirst. You may notice that your lips become chapped and cracked, your tongue shrivels up, and you struggle with vision problems. As soon as you start drinking water, your symptoms will begin to decline. People with severe heat stroke may require admittance to the hospital for rehydration.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the hospital, your physician will set you up with an IV to rapidly rehydrate the body. You may need one or two bags of IV fluids to replenish your body\u2019s water and mineral balance. We recommend you avoid dehydration in the first place by carrying a water bottle with you wherever you go, think of it as your new best friend, and never leave it behind \u2013 especially on a hot day.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"14. Muscle Weakness<\/h3>\n

Heat stroke can lead to muscle weakness in the limbs. This symptom occurs as a result of a combination of factors. The first reason for muscle weakness after heat stroke comes from dehydration. <\/span><\/p>\n

Our body is more than 65-percent water, and when we get dehydrated because we\u2019ve been out in the sun too long, it severely affects our muscular strength. Research indicates that dehydration can reduce athletic performance by as much as 60-percent. Therefore, it makes sense that heat stroke would also cause these symptoms due to dehydration.<\/span><\/p>\n

The second contributing factor to muscular weakness after experiencing heat stroke, comes from the overload on the nervous system, in a dehydrated and depleted state, the nervous system starts to malfunction., As a result, the brain begins to allocate remaining energy stores to vital organs<\/a> to prevent the body shutting down. As a result, you experience muscular weakness.<\/span><\/p>\n

The best thing you can do to remedy the situation \u2013 is getting hydrated as quickly as possible. As mentioned, visit the hospital and have the nursing staff put you on an IV drip, it\u2019s the fastest way to replenish your body with fluids and minerals.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"15. Risk Factors for Heat Stroke<\/h3>\n

Seniors are the demographic most likely to experience heat stroke. If they spend all day in an apartment during a heat wave, with a lack of airflow of air conditioning, they may develop symptoms. Seniors also tend to drink less water than most other age groups, due to their inactivity. <\/span><\/p>\n

As a result, they\u2019re more likely to experience rapid dehydration as well. If you have a loved one over the age of 60-years old and live by themselves, make sure you check in before a heatwave hits your area, and ensure the person has plenty of water on hand. <\/span><\/p>\n

Heat stroke also has a relation to the relative humidity in the surrounding air. People or seniors who live in coastal regions may experience a relative humidity above 60-percent. These types of conditions hinder the body\u2019s ability to sweat<\/a>, reducing its ability to cool down during warm temperatures, increasing the effects of heat.<\/span>
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