Avoid Heatstroke During Summer

7 Parts:

Video

What is heatstroke?

What are the signs and symptoms of heatstroke?

Ways to Prevent Heat Stroke

Tips, Tricks and Warnings

Questions and Answers

Comments

Why is summer so awaited each year? Despite the sizzling heat, there is much fun ahead. Summer is a good season to be outdoors. With the sun up, it is indeed a good weather to do outdoor activities and adventures from picnics to camping and sports. Even though it is a good day to be outside, there are risks and dangers brought by the hot sun. As the mercury rises and the temperature sizzles, the risks of dehydration, sunburns, and, most of all, heat stroke similarly rise.

Sweating is something that naturally happens as your "inner biology" tries to cool down your body. While that is effective, it has its repercussions, such as fast loss of water and electrolytes. This doesn't only make you feel tired, but it will also trigger muscle cramps. The worst thing that can ensue with dehydration and loss of electrolytes is heat stroke, a real emergency you wouldn't' want happening to you or anyone you know at the peak of summer fun.

Heat stroke is also commonly referred to as "sunstroke." It can be a real cause of concern and medical emergency as it entails the rising of the body temperature higher than 40.6 degrees Celsius (105.1 degrees Fahrenheit). This happens when you are exposed in a place with extremely high environmental heat or poor thermoregulation.

To beat heatstroke or sunstroke, particularly during humid or hot weather, a person needs their skin to be healthy, blood flow to the skin to be normal, there should be adequate fluid in the cells, and the hypothalamus should be in a robust state. If a person has a compromised health and has difficulty with thermoregulation, he or she is at risk when the temperature rises.

1. 1
   Above average body temperature

   .

   A temperature of 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees F), according to The National Library of Medicine, is a sign of heatstroke. A body temperature of 40.6 degrees C (105.1 degrees F) is the body heat that indicates heatstroke according to Emergency Medicine Australia.

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
2. 2
   Different strokes for different folks

   .

   Individual differences may cause some people to develop heatstroke at lower temperatures, or some may reach this temperature, but not manifest any of the symptoms of sunstroke.

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
3. 3
   Not breaking a sweat

   ?

   When you stop sweating, that is a bad sign. It means that your body can't sweat anymore and that is what works in cooling your body. Not sweating is also a sign of dehydration.

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
4. 4
   Other signs and symptoms to watch for

   :

    

   1. Intense and increasing muscle cramps
   2. Reddish skin that's hot and dry
   3. Irregular heartbeat that is either too fast or slow
   4. Hyperventilation - manifested by shallow panting and rapid breathing
   5. Gastric queasiness, vomiting and nausea
   6. Little, infrequent passing of dark urine

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
5. 5
   Signs and symptoms indicating that the nervous system is already affected

   :

    

   1. Confusion or misperception and poor coordination
   2. Headache, dizziness, vertigo, and light-headedness
   3. Nervousness, unease, and restlessness
   4. Seizures or convulsions
   5. Hallucinations and delusions
   6. Illogical or hard to understand behavior
   7. Passing out or losing consciousness

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help

1. 1
   Stay hydrated as much as possible

   .

   

   Water and other fluids, such as juices, not only rehydrate your body but they also keep your body temperature cool. So whenever you feel thirsty, always drink fluids, because thirst is the first sign of dehydration. Drink at least 10 glass of water during the day - it will help you feel cooler as well.

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
2. 2
   Wear loose and light clothing

   .

   

   Wear clothes that are made of cotton and avoid tight fitting clothes. Let air pass through your clothes and it will make your body feel cooler. Light colored clothing as well, it is proven, are much cooler to the body than dark colored ones.

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
3. 3
   Eat fresh fruits and cold foods

   .

   

   You can also eat fruits that have high water content, such as watermelons. Fruits are proven to be refreshing to the body. You can also eat ice cream or popsicles to make you feel cooler. As much as possible, avoid dry food as snack like fried foods and junk foods as well.

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
4. 4
   Avoid direct exposure to the sun

   .

   

   If you are going outdoors, make sure that you use an umbrella or walk under the shades. Also avoid going outdoors between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the temperature outside is at its hottest. Avoid strenuous activities during these times as well, and if you cannot avoid working, make sure you take a rest in between and rehydrate.

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
5. 5
   Take a bath as often as possible

   .

   

   If you ever feel hot, always take a bath if you can. This will make you feel cool and refreshed. You can have at least 3 baths a day during hot days just to make yourself feel cooler.

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
6. 6
   Stay in cool places

   .

   

   If you are staying indoors, use an electric fan to let air flow inside the room, if you have an air conditioning unit, you can use that as well. Or you can visit the mall not to shop, but to stay cool.

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
7. 7
   Give yourself enough time to gradually acclimatize to the heat

   .

   

   If you are planning long days of summer on a beach, think of getting out a little more often to get a little sunshine. Don't go out there and stay on the beach the entire day on the first day. If you have kids, it is important to let them get used to a little heat. Kids are more vulnerable to heatstroke. If they are extra active or into sports, they need all the help and protection they can get.

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
8. 8
   Parents' vigilance

   .

   

   The most important thing is to have parents checking on their kids, especially when they are out in the sun doing sports or simply having a great time with other kids or family. If there are several parents around during sport practices, they can take turns keeping an eye on the kids to help the coach.

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
9. 9
   Know the warning signs

   .

   

   Knowing the various symptoms of heatstroke is important to be able to provide first aid at the very first sign. Make sure you only go or take your kids to summer destinations where medical assistance is always available.

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help

When going out or away during summer, always remember your SWEATS.

• Stay Hydrated
  
• Wear loose and light clothes
  
• Eat fruits and cold foods
  
• Avoid direct sunlight
  
• Take a bath
  
• Stay in cool places
  

Body is at 40 degrees celsius, What would happen if I ate ice cream?

If your body is at 40 degrees celsius because of the heat of the summer, eating an ice cream or drinking any cold fluids will greatly help decrease your body temperature. The highest temperature on a human body is the core temperature or the temperature inside your body.

One good advantage of ingesting cold foods and fluids during summer is that these foods slows down your body's rate of digestion because these foods needs to be heated up first to your body temperature for the digestion of these foods to take place and cold fluids leaves your stomach more quickly helping and cooling your body core temperature more quickly and efficiently.

By ingesting cold foods or fluids, you are lowering down your high body temperature which makes you feel refreshed and relaxed.

If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.

Comments