Heat stroke • Symptoms & Treatment

Heat stroke is dangerous and always a medical emergency. It is an overheating of the body with an increase in body temperature to over 40 degrees Celsius. Without treatment, the consequences are far-reaching. How heat stroke manifests itself and what can be done.

Especially in humid and warm weather, for example, there is a risk of heat stroke if you continue to exert yourself.
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Heat stroke (hyperthermia syndrome) is one of the heat damage and is the most dangerous form. Heat damage encompasses all health disorders that can occur as a result of a long stay in a high ambient temperature. In addition to heat stroke, these are sunstroke, heat exhaustion and heat convulsions.

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Heavy sweating remedy

Heavy sweating remedy

Heat stroke: how does body temperature rise?

Normally, the body’s thermoregulatory mechanisms ensure a constant body temperature of around 37 degrees Celsius. For example, if the body heats up during exertion in a cool ambient temperature, in addition to sweating, the release of heat through the skin and through inhalation and exhalation also contribute to the balance of heat. When the ambient temperature is high, the body relies solely on sweating for cooling.

If the humidity is high, however, the sweat does not evaporate or does not evaporate well, which means that the cooling effect decreases or fails. Closed rooms without air circulation or clothing that is too thick and impermeable to air also prevent sweat from evaporating. This leads to a build-up of heat as the body temperature rises. If those affected are still exposed to heat stress, the thermoregulatory mechanisms can eventually collapse, sweat production ceases and the body temperature rises to over 40 degrees Celsius – a classic symptom of heat stroke.

Two forms of heat stroke

There are two types of hyperthermia syndrome:

  • Classic heat stroke: Occurs without exertion in a persistently high ambient temperature, for example in muggy and warm weather. Elderly people, small children and people with chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, kidney failure or Parkinson’s are particularly at risk. Obesity also makes you more prone to heat stroke.

  • Exertional heat stroke: It is usually suffered by young and healthy adults after excessive exertion. This does not necessarily require high outside temperatures. However, heat favors the breakdown of the body’s own heat regulation, which is typical for heat stroke. Members of certain occupational groups who do physical work in hot and stuffy environments are at greater risk of this form of heat stroke.

Heat stroke is also promoted by certain drugs that influence the body’s heat regulation. These include sedatives, antidepressants, diuretics, and various antihypertensive drugs. Anyone who takes medication on a long-term basis should speak to their doctor about it and place special emphasis on preventing heat damage.

What not to do in the heat!

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Symptoms of heat stroke are typical

The classic heat stroke can announce itself over a day or two with the following symptoms:

Medical help should be called immediately in the event of persistent headache, violent vomiting, persistent elevated temperature, and signs of dehydration such as thirst and weakness.

When exerting heat stroke the typical symptoms usually occur without any prior signs:

  • Body temperature over 40 degrees Celsius
  • hot, dry skin as perspiration has ceased
  • reddish discoloration of the skin all over the body
  • Clouding of consciousness or loss of consciousness caused by brain edema (swelling of the brain)

Heat stroke: acting quickly is important

If these symptoms, which are typical of heat stroke, appear, those affected must be brought to a cool place immediately, if possible in an air-conditioned room, and help called on the emergency number 112. Overheating of the body has serious consequences: there is a risk of cerebral edema (brain swelling), damage to the internal organs and a breakdown of the cardiovascular system. In the worst case, there is a risk of coma and death.

In case of heat stroke, keep cool until medical attention comes

In this situation, it is very important to start immediately with cooling measures until the emergency doctor arrives, for example by undressing and applying damp cloths. A fan can also be used to lower the body temperature. However, the cooling measures must not lead to shivering because the body would then produce additional heat. To stimulate blood circulation, it is recommended to massage arms and legs in particular during the cooling measures.

Until the emergency doctor arrives, those affected with heat stroke should be positioned so that their upper body is slightly elevated, but if they are unconscious they should be placed on their side in a stable position.

Resuscitation in respiratory and cardiac arrest

If those affected are conscious, they can drink cool mineral water, water or juice spritzer. You should not be left alone until medical attention arrives. You should check your breathing regularly and see if those affected are conscious. If respiratory or cardiac arrest occurs, resuscitation measures must be started.

Further treatment takes place in the hospital. The most important measures here are cooling down to a body temperature below 39 degrees, stabilizing the circulatory system and ensuring sufficient fluid intake via infusions. With timely treatment, those affected feel better after one or two days. In the worst case, after overcoming heat stroke, permanent damage can remain, especially in the neurological area. This affects around 20 percent of the people treated.

First aid for sunstroke

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Prevent heat stroke in humid and warm weather

Heat stroke can be prevented well by avoiding unnecessary heat exposure, especially in humid and warm weather, for example through warm or tight clothing, exertion in the heat or staying in large crowds.

You should also make sure to drink more when it’s hot and you sweat more. Water, mineral water, cold herbal teas or fruit juice spritzers are suitable; alcohol is better avoided on hot days. Sports activities should be relocated to the cool morning hours or to the evening when it cools down again. In very hot weather, direct sunlight should also be avoided, especially between eleven and three o’clock.

Do not leave anyone behind in the car when it is hot

The rapid development of heat in the car should also be taken into account if heat stroke is to be prevented. Children, the elderly, or pets should never be left in the car – especially if it is parked in direct sunlight. Because in the narrow space, the air heats up quickly and reaches critical temperatures of 35-50 degrees Celsius. Even with the window slightly open, the temperature rises to critical values ​​within a short time.

The best tips against heat

The best tips against heat

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