Rising pollution levels in the environment has resulted in a drastic change of climatic conditions around the world. The summers have become more harsher, thereby causing conditions which were not frequently experienced before. Heat stroke is one such condition, which has proved to be fatal to many unwary victims. It is not the condition, which kills, but the failure to recognize the early signs and symptoms, which might prove to be dangerous.
Heat stroke is the rise of body temperature following exposure to very high environmental temperatures. This could occur in hot weather, and in patients with pre-existing chronic diseases. If exposure to sun is the cause, then it is termed as sun stroke.
What are the causes of Heat Stroke?
The factors pre-disposing to heat stroke are:
- Non-acclimatization to high temperatures.
- Pre-existing illness with fever.
- High humidity.
- Obesity.
- Diabetes.
- Alcoholism.
- Ectodermal dysplasia (a birth defect with absence of sweat gland).
- Excessive muscular activity.
- Administration of sweat inhibiting drugs
What are the symptoms of Heat Stroke?
- The skin is hot and dry.
- The brain is affected resulting in restlessness, disorientation, delirium or even coma. Some milder forms like headache, dizziness, and confusion are also seen.
- The rate of breathing is high and is usually shallow, intermittent or stertorous.
- Temperature within the mouth may increase beyond 1080F.
- Bleeding episodes from the nose may be present.
- The pulse may remain strong and rapid.
- The blood pressure is usually normal. A fall in blood pressure might indicate a more serious life-threatening situation called shock. This is a condition where there is reduced circulation of blood within the body, ultimately resulting in death.
- Cause of death can be due to, kidney failure, heart attack which is due to death of the heart muscle, heart failure due to the increase in work load on the heart or due to lung complications.
How can we diagnose Heat Stroke?
After assessing the history and symptoms, the diagnosis becomes clear.
How can Heat Stroke be treated?
This condition is an emergency. Rapid cooling of the body to a temperature of 1020F is required.
The patient is given ice water baths so as to bring down the body temperature. The patient’s clothes have to be loosened so as to allow active air circulation. The body and the limbs have to be massaged in order to improve the blood circulation within the body.
Drugs to treat epileptic fits are administered, if the need arises. Blood transfusion may be given.
Shock is treated by supplying the body with sufficient fluids and by administering drugs, which increases the efficiency of the heart.
Prognosis is good in the face of prompt therapy. The risk factors are sudden onset of very high fever and shock.
More Valuable information about Heat Stroke
Heat syndromes are a group of six conditions, which occur on exposure to high environmental temperatures. They are:
Heat exhaustion type-1.
Heat exhaustion type-2.
Water depletion heat exhaustion.
Heat syncope.
Heat cramps.
Heat exhaustion type-1: This is also called salt deficiency heat exhaustion. The condition occurs in prolonged sweating causing loss of salt from the body without sufficient replacement. The features are tiredness, nausea, vomiting, giddiness, cramps and dehydration. If untreated can lead to shock and circulatory failure.
Treatment is by bringing the salt-water ratio and blood volume back to normal.
Heat exhaustion type-2: This occurs after months of chronic exposure to hot and humid environment. The features are early tiredness, headaches, giddiness, boils on the dry areas of the skin seen around the arms and the trunk, increased heart rate, deep and fast breathing, and increase of body temperature to about 1020F.
Treatment is mainly to rest in a cool room. Ability to sweat improves the condition.
Heat syncope : This is also known as exercise induced heat exhaustion or heat collapse. This condition occurs in individuals unacclimatized to exposure to heat. It manifests as syncope, giddiness and tiredness. Recovery results in cool surroundings and after restoration of the salt-water balance in the body.
Water depletion heat exhaustion : This condition results in prolonged sweating followed by inadequate replacement of water. There is pronounced thirst, tiredness, reduced amount of urine production, fever, delirium and coma. A cool surrounding with adequate replacement of water helps the patient to recover.
Heat cramps : The development of painful muscular cramps in individuals with heavy sweating and salt depletion. Salt replacement helps to recover the patient from this condition.
Treatment : Immediate action necessary—move to cooler place, remove clothes, apply cool packs, fan to increase air flow transport to hospital, increase fluids, apply cold packs, may require IV fluids
Frequently asked questions about Heat Stroke:
What are the precautions to be taken on a hot summer day?
The points to be remembered are:
1. Drink lot of fluids, like water and juices. Avoid carbonated, alcoholic or caffeine containing liquids.
2. Do not over exert yourself so as to increase the body’s temperature to harmful levels.
3. Wear light coloured and slightly loose fitting clothes.
4. Try remaining in shaded areas to the extent possible.
Glossary
Unacclimatized : Body not having adjusted to the environmental climate.
Cramps : Sudden contraction of any muscle resulting in sharp pain.
Delirium : Disordered state of mind.
