Heat Strokes

By: Romit Makar

While most people enjoy spending the whole day outside during the summer, it is important to take precautions to avoid getting a heat stroke. With heat related deaths coming to a high of 2303 in the year 2023, it is crucial to recognize signs of heat exhaustion and take immediate medical action.

What is a heat stroke, and what are its common signs?

Heat stroke is caused by the body overheating when it can no longer control its temperature.

When exposed to high temperatures (temperatures above 106 F or 40 C) for prolonged periods of time, the sweating mechanism fails and the body is unable to cool down. The most common signs of a heat stroke are:

• Confusion, slurred speech, distorted mental state

• Rapid, fast pulse

• Hot, red and dry skin from excess heat

• Headache, nausea, dizziness

If experiencing convulsions or seizures, it is of utmost importance to seek medical attention immediately. However, you can take simple precautions to avoid reaching this stage:

• Keep yourself hydrated as water and essential minerals are lost via sweat.

• Wear light colored, loose clothing to prevent heat absorption and rise in body

• temperature.

• Avoid doing strenuous activity in the heat for longer durations.

• Do not sit in a parked, non-air conditioned car for extended periods of time.

What are the steps you should take when someone else is experiencing a heat stroke ?

If you see someone suffering from a heat stroke, call 911 and seek immediate medical attention as soon as possible. The victim should be placed in a cool, air-conditioned environment. The body temperature of the victim can be reduced with cool clothes or baths. Sometimes, using a fan can increase the temperature of the body if the temperature of the environment is hot, so other alternative cooling methods should be used.

Heat strokes can be fatal if not treated immediately and can also cause permanent organ

damage. Therefore, it is of vital importance to take precautions, as well as know its symptoms to ensure early recognition and take prompt action.