Heat Stroke

Group 8

What is Heat Stroke?

Also known as sunstroke, thermic fever, or siriasis.
Defined clinically as a core body temperature that rises
above 40C and that is accompanied by hot, dry skin and
central nervous system abnormalities such as delirium,
convulsions, or coma.
Heat stroke is a form of hyperthermia in which the body
temperature is elevated dramatically.

Causes
Heat stroke occurs when the body cannot cool itself any
longer.
It can also be caused by substances that inhibit cooling and
cause dehydration such as alcohol, caffeine, stimulants or
medications.

People with the following conditions are

especially prone to heat stroke:
alcoholism
chronic illnesses such as heart disease
obesity
old age (often with associated heart diseases, lung diseases, kidney
diseases, or who are taking medications that make them vulnerable
to dehydration and heat strokes)
uncontrolled diabetes
use of certain medications such as diuretics and antihistamines
use of some psychoactive drugs such as alcohol and cocaine
Note: Heavy clothing and some skin conditions can also contribute to
the occurrence of heat stroke.

Classification

Classic Heat stroke

Sedentary, often older or debilitated people under
conditions of high heat stress
May be of insidious onset (over several days)
can be present with minimally elevated core temperatures.
Also knows as non-exertional stroke
Result of impaired thermoregulation combined with high
ambient temperatures.
Often due to impaired sweating

Exertional Heat Stroke

Active, often young people who overexert themselves in
high ambient temperatures or in a hot environment to which
they are not acclimatized
Rapid onset (within hours)
frequently associated with high core temperatures.
Patients sweat normally.

Heat exhaustion
Milder form of heat illness
Core temperatures are elevated to a smaller magnitude than
in heat stroke.

Signs and symptoms

1. Extremely high temperature (up to 41 degree

Celsius
2. Hot, red, dry skin

3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Rapid pulse
Rapid, shallow breathing
Headache
Confusion, strange behaviour
Possible loss of consciousness

 High core temperatures damage the internal organs,

especially the brain. The fluid loss can also produce
dangerously low blood pressure. Most people who are killed
by heat stroke die when their heart stops pumping
effectively (circulatory failure). Even people who survive are
likely to have permanent brain damage if their core
temperature has been over 40.6C (105F) for more than an
hour or two.

Treatment

 get the core temperature under control.

remove the victim from the sun.
immerse the body in cold water, such as a river, stream, or bathtub.
remove most of their clothes, douse them with water, and fan them
vigorously. Wrapping in wet sheets can help increase the rate of heat
loss.
If the person is conscious and alert, offer him or her water or other
fluids. Avoid caffeinated or alcoholic drinks because they dehydrate
you.
If the victim starts shivering, slow down the cooling treatment
because shivering raises core temperature.

 Take the person's temperature every 10 minutes if you have a

thermometer. You should not let the core temperature fall below
38C (100F), as this can result in an uncontrollable slide towards
dangerously low temperatures (hypothermia).
Watch for signs of respiratory arrest (breathing failure) and be ready
to give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation (rescue breathing).
Lay them down and give small gulps of liquid every few minutes.
Watch carefully for signs of deterioration, but there's no need to rush
to a hospital for a normal case of heat exhaustion.

Prevention
Avoid heavy outdoor activities in the summer during the hottest
times of the day.
Wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothes - light colors reflect more
sunlight while dark colored absorbs more sunlight.
Try to relax in the shade during the hottest part of the day.
Avoid coffee and alcohol, especially beer, due to their fluid loss
effect.
Learn the technique of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
DRINK LARGE AMOUNT OF WATER.