Heatstroke
What is heatstroke?
Heatstroke is a medical emergency caused by your body temperature going too high. If you don't cool down quickly enough, you can die or have brain or organ damage.
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Heatstroke happens when you're very hot and your body doesn't cool itself properly
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Your temperature is usually over 104° F (40° C)
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Heatstroke can affect older people or young children who live without air conditioning
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Athletes and people working hard in high heat are also at risk for heatstroke
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If not treated, heatstroke can damage your organs, such as your brain, heart, and lungs
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Doctors cool your body and give you IV fluids
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Without treatment, about 80% of people with heatstroke die
Call an ambulance right away if someone is having symptoms of heatstroke. While waiting for the ambulance, get the person out of the sun or heat. Cool the person down by soaking in cold water, such as in a lake, stream, or bathtub. If getting into cold water isn't possible, wet the person's skin with slightly warm water and blow air across the skin.
What causes heatstroke?
You can get heatstroke from:
It can take only a few hours of work or exercise in the heat to get heatstroke, especially if your body hasn't gotten used to the heat.
Children who are locked in a car (or who are too young to open the door) in the hot sun can get heatstroke and die in less than an hour. Cars heat up very quickly inside, especially in the sun.
Older people who are shut in a hot room in the summer for a few days can get heatstroke even if the room doesn't seem really hot. Their body gradually gets overloaded by the heat.
What are the symptoms of heatstroke?
How can doctors tell if I am having heatstroke?
How do doctors treat heatstroke?
How can I prevent heatstroke?
To prevent heatstroke when it's hot outside, it's important to:
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Wear lightweight clothes that aren't too tight
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Stay out of the sun as much as you can
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Drink plenty of fluids even if you don't feel thirsty
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Avoid heavy exercise in the hottest part of the day
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Ask your doctor if any of your health problems or medicines may raise your risk of heatstroke
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Check on older people, especially those who don't have air conditioning
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Never leave a young child in a parked car
If you know you're going to have to work or exercise in the heat, you should get your body used to the heat gradually. Don't do a full day's work or a heavy workout right away.
After doing this training, your body will be better able to handle exertion in the heat.
Being physically fit is different than being used to the heat. Even if you're in great shape, you still should follow these steps to get used to the heat.
