Heat Stroke (Sun Stroke)

The incidences of heat (sun) strokes increase in summer, but they aren’t related only to that because they can occur due to any form of long heat exposure or the heat that’s produced by the body itself.

Heat stroke (sun stroke)

Heat stroke (sun stroke) is an extremely serious condition that occurs when the body overheats and can’t cool down as it’s supposed to. Heat stroke (sun stroke) is the most severe form of heat injury, and it’s most common during the summer.

Normally, when the body’s temperature rises, the body cools down mostly through sweating because when sweat evaporates, it cools the skin and the tissue underneath, but in the case of extreme heat, the body might not be able to keep up with this process, and that could lead to a heat stroke (sun stroke).

Causes and risk factors leading to heat stroke (sun stroke)

Heat stroke (sun stroke) could occur externally or internally:

• Externally: when you spend a lot of time in hot weather or environment (like being in a closed car or room), this raises the body’s temperature in a way that could affect the body’s ability to cool down properly.
• Internally: doing strenuous physical activity might lead to a heat stroke (sun stroke) even without being exposed to a hot environment because it generates lots of heat.

Risk factors that might lead to a heat stroke (sun stroke):

• Young ages and being older than 65 years old.
• Certain jobs that require being susceptible to heat for a long time.
• Doing physical activity in a hot environment.
• Certain health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, pregnancy, and lung diseases.
• Certain medicines, such as some blood pressure medicines and depression medicines.

Symptoms of heat stroke (sun stroke)

• High core body temperature.
• Confusion and delirium.
• Dizziness.
• Blurred vision.
• Slurred speech.
• Seizures.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Flushed skin.
• Rapid heartbeat and breathing.
• Headache.
• Low blood pressure.
• Fainting.
• If not managed rapidly, a heat stroke (sun stroke) could cause coma, organ damage, and even death.
• In the long term, a heat stroke (sun stroke) can cause problems with speaking, forming memories, and coordinating muscle movements, which can last for weeks or months.

Diagnosis of heat stroke (sun stroke)

• Checking the body core temperature.
• Blood and urine tests.
• Imaging tests.

Treatment of heat stroke (sun stroke)

• Heat stroke (sun stroke) is an emergency, and while waiting to get the patient to the hospital, try cooling them down by pouring water on them and applying ice packs to the neck and armpit.
• Don’t give the patient fever-reducing or other medicines, and don’t give them anything to drink.
• In the hospital, the specialists apply specific methods to reduce the body’s temperature.

Prevention of heat stroke (sun stroke)

• Stay hydrated.
• Don’t spend a long time in hot weather or closed environments.
• Don’t leave anyone in a parked car.
• Don’t do strenuous physical activity in a hot environment.