Heatstroke is a severe heat-related illness that happens when the body becomes unable to cool itself. Usually, the body's temperature regulation system is able to use natural cooling mechanisms when the body's temperature begins to rise. During a heat stroke, however, the failure of these mechanisms leads to an unnaturally high body temperature, often above 104°F.
Here, we'll explore what causes heat stroke, warning signs that you need to be aware of to keep yourself and your family safe from heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses, how you can prevent heatstroke, and how you can use technology to keep yourself safe from heat-related illnesses.
Understanding heatstroke: a serious summer risk
As temperatures continue to climb this summer, it's easy to get distracted when you're having fun outdoors. Forgetting to hydrate, take breaks, or relax in the shade can have dangerous consequences, however. Heatstroke, a condition in which the body's temperature rises to an abnormally high degree, can cause long-term health complications including damage to the muscles, kidneys, brain, and heart. Left untreated, heatstroke can even become fatal.
Understanding the causes of heatstroke can help you avoid factors that may contribute to the development of the condition.
Common causes of heatstroke include:
- Exposure to high temperatures: Spending time in hot weather can lead to heatstroke. This is especially common when high heat is combined with high humidity, as this can overwhelm the body's ability to cool itself.
- Physical exertion in high temperatures: Exercising in hot weather can increase the likelihood of heatstroke. People who work outdoors for a living, such as athletes, laborers, and military personnel, are at a higher risk for heatstroke than those in the general population.
- Dehydration: When your body doesn't have enough water, you may lose the ability to sweat and cool yourself, increasing the likelihood of heatstroke.
- Wearing clothing that isn't weather-appropriate: Wearing clothing that is too tight or too heavy in hot weather can make it harder for your body to get rid of heat.
- Certain medications: There are certain medications that can make it harder for the body to regulate its own temperature, including antidepressants, antihistamines, and diuretics.
- Certain medical conditions: Issues like obesity, respiratory disorders, and heart disease can all make you more likely to develop heatstroke. If you have these conditions, be sure to talk with your doctor about any steps that you may need to take in order to stay safe in extreme temperatures.
Early signs of heatstroke to watch for
When you're working to safely enjoy summer weather, it's important to know the early signs of heatstroke. If you notice any of these signs in yourself or a loved one, it's important to take steps to improve symptoms. Certain groups of people, such as elderly people, young children, athletes, people with chronic illnesses or who take certain medications, and people who are using alcohol or drugs are more likely to experience heatstroke than people in other groups.
Early signs of heatstroke may include:
- Heavy sweating
- Muscle cramps
- Fatigue
- Muscle weakness
- Dizziness and lightheadedness
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Rapid heartbeat
- Rapid, shallow breathing
- Excessive thirst
- Confusion and irritability
- Pale and moist skin
If these symptoms don't go away after moving to a cooler area, loosening clothing, hydrating, resting, and making attempts to cool the body, it's important to seek medical attention.
Advanced symptoms indicating severe heatstroke
Sometimes, heatstroke symptoms progress from mild to severe.
Signs of severe heatstroke may include:
- High body temperature
- Altered mental state or other changes in behavior
- Dry, hot skin
- Nausea and vomiting
- Rapid heart rate
- Headache
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
- Lack of sweating
If these signs appear in yourself or a loved one, it's important to seek emergency medical attention to prevent damage to vital organs and/or death.
How heatstroke differs from heat exhaustion
Heatstroke and heat exhaustion are both conditions caused by the failure of the body's natural cooling system. Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness that typically resolves on its own within about an hour. Left untreated, heat exhaustion can develop into heatstroke.
Staying cool: tips for beating the heat
There are many steps you can take to avoid the development of heat exhaustion or heatstroke, including:
- Use lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing to protect your skin
- Use air conditioning when possible
- Avoid peak heat by staying out of the sun between 10 am and 2 pm
- Stay hydrated and drink electrolytes (such as those in a sports drink) in extremely hot weather
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine
The importance of hydration
Drinking plenty of water or other drinks enhanced with electrolytes alongside your favorite summer meals can be a smart step to prevent heatstroke. When you drink water, your body doesn't just cool off from the temperature difference—it also is better able to support your natural cooling mechanisms, such as sweating. The ability to sweat can come and go during a heatstroke as the body's cooling systems begin to fail.
Using technology to stay safe in the heat
Logging your water intake and physical activity levels in your health and nutrition tracking apps can help you ensure that you're taking the necessary steps to protect yourself against heatstroke. Using weather apps to check temperature changes throughout the day can also help you to stay safe by providing you with information on when it's safest to exercise or otherwise spend time outdoors.
Understanding heatstroke can be the first step toward avoiding the condition. Taking breaks from high temperatures, avoiding heavy physical activity in hot weather, drinking plenty of cool water, wearing weather-appropriate clothing, and working with your doctor (if necessary) to learn more about how you can protect yourself are all important ways to avoid heatstroke.
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