About health problems caused by insolation
Known as one of the most dangerous heat illness, Heatstroke is an emergency situation in which the affected person’s life may be endangered. The victim may exhibit headaches, incoherence in speech, fainting, hallucinations, convulsions and even coma in extreme cases. Body temperature can reach 40 degrees Celsius (or even more). The person suffering from heatstroke is so dehydrated that his skin is not dry and sweat and warm to the touch.
Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms of heatstroke may, in some cases, mimic a heart attack or other medical conditions. In other cases, the patient may manifest symptoms in the first stage of heat exhaustion.
The main signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion (which may precede Heatstroke) include:
- Nausea;
- Vomiting;
- Weakness;
- Excessive fatigue;
- Headache;
- Muscle pain or cramps;
- Feeling confused.
However, some people may develop symptoms of heatstroke suddenly without any warning.
The most common symptoms of heatstroke include:
- High temperature of the body;
- Absence of sweating;
- Red skin and / or very dry;
- Rapid pulse;
- Shortness of breath;
- Unusual behavior;
- Hallucinations;
- Feeling confused;
- Agitation;
- Disorientation;
- State is shock and / or coma.
Types of sunburn
There are two types of heat caused sunburn: legacy and effort.
Classic Heatstroke occurs in people who do not sweat normally, or due to illness or because of medications. If a man does not sweat naturally, it is difficult to face a hot and humid climate. Most often, heatstroke victims are typically older adults who do not have air conditioning and who suffer from chronic health problems such as diabetes. This type of heatstroke is very dangerous and can evolve rapidly, in two or three days.
Heatstroke debut effort quickly, just a few hours of physical activity exerted at high temperatures. Basically though skin sweat, the body overheats because hot weather, more physical activity and dehydration. Effort heatstroke victims are usually healthy people, young people, such as athletes and football players. This type of heatstroke is triggered in conditions of excessive heat and humidity, plus intense exercise.
Treatment of heatstroke
Treatment of heatstroke both classic and the effort is the same: emergency intervention by any available means that puta decrease body temperature – for example, wet compresses, a fan or ice applied under the armpits (attention, but this should be used a last resort short period of time), etc.. Also, hydration is very important. Early treatment increases the survival chances of a person suffering from heatstroke.
Risk Factors
Some diseases increase a person’s risk to heatstroke. Obesity sweat gland disorders, diabetes, dehydration, malnutrition, hypotension, cardiovascular diseases, are difficult body’s ability to regulate heat. In many cases, patients suffer from at least one of these diseases (especially the elderly). There are also numerous opportunities for seniors to follow different drug treatments that affect the body’s ability to regulate temperature.
Some drugs inhibit the activity of sweat glands. These include: anticholinergics (used to treat Parkinson’s disease), antihistamines (allergy treatment), phenothiazines (tranquilizers), tricyclic antidepressants and diuretics. Other drugs restricts blood flow to the skin and affect the body’s ability to release heat: cardiovascular drugs such as beta-blockers vasoconstricotare.
If a person uses some of these medicinal substances should ask your doctor what the possible side effects that may occur in case of insolatie.De also those who take drugs such as LSD, cocaine and amphetamines have an increased risk of making heatstroke. They increase muscle activity and raise body temperature. Excessive alcohol consumption greatly increases the possibility for a person to show heat-induced disease because alcohol stimulates the removal of water from the body and dehydrate you.
People with reduced mobility for various reasons – for example, people with disabilities, homeless and the very poor, are prone to illnesses caused by heat, as often they can afford not to use air conditioning or can not reach a cool place. Also, children under two years may suffer from diseases caused by hot weather because their small bodies can not regulate body temperature as effectively as adults or older children. Because they are not able to defend every summer high temperatures occur tragedy: infants dies after sunburn (especially when they are left for short periods of time in cars).
A heatstroke victim needs immediate medical attention. The most important thing is speed: hydration and body cooling must take place as soon as possible to increase your chances of survival.
The causes of heatstroke
Causes of heatstroke are:
- Warm weather;
- Exercise in conditions of extreme heat, especially in people who do not have a physical condition;
- Positioning the home or office on the upper floors of a building without air conditioning;
- Inappropriate clothing for the summer;
- Excessive alcohol consumption;
- Fatigue;
- Old age (over 65 years);
- High humidity;
- The presence of various medical conditions: alcoholism, neurological disorders, cardiovascular disease, skin or sweat glands which can inhibit the skin’s ability to sweat, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hyperthyroidism, hypokalemia (potassium deficiency), infections, drug therapy for mental illness.
Measures to prevent
Any person who has over 65 years receiving treatment for cardiovascular disease should be very careful in hot weather. There will be no changes in the treatment plan without consulting your doctor. The heat wave will be used for air conditionat.Pe summer, outdoor exercise will do early morning or evening, late hours when the weather is cool.
Body has gradually adapted to heat: physical activity will gradually increase in intensity every day. Studies have shown that a person gradually getting used to the hot weather increases the body’s ability to sweat without losing salts. It takes about two to four weeks of exercise until the body will acclimate.
It will consume a lot of water: in the case of exercise, even a liter of water every hour. During the gardening, however, is sufficient water in the cup will sip constantly. You should not use liquid only when thirst occurs, but before it is installed (often signals the beginning of dehydration thirst).
Studies have shown that water to mix salt as effectively prevents dehydration. Still will not exaggerating about the amount of salt, the salt level is too high increases the risk of damage renala.Se wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect from sun and loose clothing that allows sweat to evaporate and will apply lotions protective solara.Indicat is to stay in rooms with air conditioning on hot days. If this is not possible, it will be cold baths, body spray cold water frequently and will sit near a fan. If the feeling of faintness will require emergency care.