Sunstroke or heatstroke? In recent summers, heat waves are no longer a rare phenomenon, and most people are well aware that they should pay more attention to their well-being when the temperature outside approaches + 30 degrees. However, such steam can not only tire you, but also lead to heatstroke or sunstroke. What should we know about it?
Heat poses a higher health risk for groups such as children and the elderly, as well as for patients with chronic conditions such as those with cardiovascular disease, movement disorders and metabolic diseases. However, another risk group could be under-estimated – young and active people who, feeling quite healthy and strong, rush to enjoy summer, sun and sports activities to the fullest. It is not uncommon for them to overestimate their strength, and this ends with heatstroke or sunstroke.
Sunstroke or heat stroke are not the same thing
If you feel significantly worse from being in excessive heat or the sun, you should be able to determine what caused this condition in order to provide the most effective help. Heatstroke is a condition that occurs when the body overheats. Overheating is caused by disturbances in the return of heat generated by metabolism. The body is no longer able to cool itself, so thermoregulation even “breaks down” and the body temperature rises dangerously high. This can happen both during increased physical activity outside, in hot weather conditions, starting with weeding the garden and ending with cycling, and just as well – in rooms that are not cooled and lack fresh air.
Sunstroke is basically a type of heat stroke caused by being in direct sunlight for too long.
In both of these cases, the symptoms and first aid are slightly different.
Signs of heat stroke
* Dizziness, fainting
* Confusion, when a person is no longer able to answer basic questions, as well as difficulty moving
* Nausea, vomiting
* Excessive sweating or, on the contrary, sweating may gradually disappear
* Throbbing, very severe headache
* Dehydration, which can also be evidenced by dark urine
* Acceleration of heart rate, rise in blood pressure, breathing disorders as a result of cardiac overload
* Strong cramps in arms, legs, abdomen
* Children may become apathetic or very tearful when overheated
First aid:
1) the victim is moved as quickly as possible to a cooler place, shade or air-conditioned room and given small sips of cool water or sports drinks to restore electrolytes. The victim is placed lying down with the head elevated; if necessary, get rid of tight, tight clothing;
2) cools the skin so that he regains normal body temperature: a lukewarm shower, cool and wet dressings, such as wet towels or sponges, on the head, neck, armpits, groin will help. Cooling should be gradual, not rapid (do not immerse in cold water), because rapid constriction of blood vessels is dangerous – it can cause brain damage or even death!
3) if the victim’s condition does not improve or, for example, the body temperature reaches + 40 degrees or more, the lips start to turn blue, slurred speech or hallucinations and other dangerous symptoms appear, the Emergency Medical Service must be called.
Sunstroke and its symptoms
* Sudden weakness, weakness
* Drowsiness
* Cold sweat
* Dizziness, headache
* Accelerated heartbeat and breathing
* Vomiting
* In more severe cases, there may be disturbances of consciousness, loss of consciousness, convulsions, body temperature may rise up to + 42 degrees
* The blood vessels in the brain may dilate, leading to blood congestion and cerebral edema, which may result in blood vessel rupture and hemorrhage.
Sunstroke – first aid:
1) the victim should be taken to a cool place and given cool water to drink, as well as freed from tight clothing that may press the chest and neck area;
2) to cool the body, put a moistened towel or cool, moist compresses on the forehead, you can also put ice wrapped in a cloth; if the temperature exceeds + 38.5 degrees and it is necessary, an antipyretic and pain reliever can be used;
3) in more severe cases, especially if the victim loses consciousness, is an old person or a child, it is necessary to call the Emergency Medical Service.
How to protect yourself from overheating and sunburn?
* Avoid staying outside for long periods in hot weather, especially between 12:00 and 15:00, when the sun’s radiation is strongest
* Avoid heavy physical exertion, sports on hot days, including heavy physical exertion in hot, unventilated rooms
* Ensure good ventilation of the premises
* In the car and indoors, adjust the air conditioner only a few degrees lower than the temperature outside, because too big a difference (more than +6…+8 degrees) can contribute to catching a cold
* Wear clothes suitable for hot weather – light, light, loose clothes made of natural material that help cool the skin and protect it from the sun
* When staying in the sun, wear a head covering, a wide-brimmed hat is especially recommended
* Drink a lot of water, especially when sweating profusely
* Reduce the consumption of coffee and other drinks that contribute to body dehydration, as well as avoid alcohol consumption
* Regularly cool down with cool water, moisturizing your face and neck, but it’s best to take a cool shower or swim
* It is dangerous for an overheated person to immediately go swimming in cold water, before that he must sit in the shade!
* Protect children from overheating in a hot room or car cabin (the temperature in the cabin depends not on the outside heat, but on the amount of sunlight!), as well as when sleeping in a stroller
Magnesium for heat intolerance
Preventive measures against overheating should be followed by everyone, but there are people who are particularly intolerant of heat. It may come as a surprise to many that magnesium can be helpful in such a case. Magnesium helps regulate body temperature and plays an essential role in acclimatizing the body to heat. Not to mention that this mineral is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body.
Magnesium helps maintain a healthy heart when it is under stress. This is very important in the case of heatstroke, because then our heart rate will increase significantly due to the overload of the heart trying to cool the body. Magnesium is also one of the electrolytes that the body loses through heavy sweating as it cools itself down. In turn, the loss of electrolytes can lead to heat cramps.