Understand Signs of Heat Stroke

First posted on 06-29-2009

By Kelli Reep for the Cooperative Extension Service

As children and young adults, we think we are invincible from the heat, sun and humidity. But, heat stroke can affect everyone from infants and the elderly to athletes and workers whose jobs are mostly outside. In Arkansas, where temperatures go from temperate to terrible in a day, knowing how to avoid, recognize and treat heat stroke is vital in surviving summer.

“Heat stroke happens when our body’s cooling system fails, raising our body heat to dangerously high levels,” says Dr. Margaret Harris, assistant professor with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. “The medical name for it is hyperthermia, which means an abnormally high body temperature. When we’ve been outside working, exercising or playing when it is very hot outside, and we haven’t had enough water to drink or time to cool off, a heat stroke can happen.”

It is crucial to know how to avoid heat stroke as well as recognize the symptoms because a stroke can cause permanent injury or death. Sometimes heat stroke symptoms can seem like those of a heart attack; in general, look for these signs: high body temperature, nausea, headache, dizziness, extreme fatigue, no perspiration on the skin, hot red or flushed skin which is dry to the touch, difficulty breathing/rapid heartbeat, hallucinations and odd behavior such as confusion, agitation and disorientation.

“Any of these can indicate a heat stroke,” Harris says. “Most importantly, the first thing you should do if you think someone has heat stroke is to call 911. Then you can use these pointers to stabilize the person affected.”

First, get the person out of the sun, preferably indoors and have them lie down, preferably with their feet slightly elevated. Remove the person’s clothing and begin cooling them off by washing them with cool water or placing ice packs around the body, especially the groin, armpits and back of neck. “This will lower the body’s temperature to a more normal range,” Harris says.

Next, give the person sips of water to rehydrate them. Be sure they drink slowly and small amounts at a time so they don’t get sick. Keep doing this until medical personnel have arrived.

The best way to manage heat stroke, however, is to prevent it. If you are going to be outside - whether it’s to work, workout or play - wear loose-fitting clothes in a light shade. Cover your head with a hat or cap, and drink plenty of water before, during and after you are in the sun. When you get hot or have been in the sun for awhile, take a break and seek a shady spot or even go indoors to cool off, get a drink and let your body cool down. Schedule outdoor activities during cooler times of the day. Humidity is especially risky to overheating. If it is humid out and hot, better stay indoors, especially if you have existing medical conditions, are pregnant or elderly.

For more information about summer safety, visit extension’s Web site, http://www.uaex.edu, or contact your county extension agent. The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the U of A Division of Agriculture.

Share | |