Heat stroke! Be careful out there!

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Heat Stroke

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Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Medical Editors: William C. Shiel, Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

What is heat stroke?
What are heat stroke symptoms and signs?
How do you treat a heat stroke victim?
How can heat stroke be prevented?
Heat Stroke At A Glance
Patient Discussions: Heat Stroke
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How to Recognize a Heat–Related Illness
Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Medical Editor: Jay W. Marks, MD
During a heat wave, it's important to know and be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of a heat-related illness. There are different types of heat-related illnesses, ranging from those that cause temporary discomfort to the generally fatal condition known as heat stroke. In all heat-related illnesses, the symptoms appear when a person is exposed to extreme temperatures.
The following checklist can help you recognize the symptoms of heat-related illnesses:
Heat Rash: Heat rash is a skin irritation caused by excessive sweating during hot, humid weather. It can occur at any age. Heat rash looks like a red cluster of pimples or small blisters.
Heat cramps: A person who has been exercising or participating in other types of strenuous activity in the heat may develop painful muscle spasms in the arms, legs, or abdomen referred to as heat rash. The body temperature is usually normal, and the skin will feel moist and cool, but sweaty.
Read more about heat related illnesses »

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What is heat stroke?

Heat stroke is a form of hyperthermia, an abnormally elevated body temperature with accompanying physical and neurological symptoms. Unlike heat cramps and heat exhaustion, two other forms of hyperthermia that are less severe, heat stroke is a true medical emergency that can be fatal if not properly and promptly treated. Heat stroke is also sometimes referred to as heatstroke.

The body normally generates heat as a result of metabolism, and is usually able to dissipate the heat by either radiation of heat through the skin or by evaporation of sweat. However, in extreme heat, high humidity, or vigorous physical exertion under the sun, the body may not be able to dissipate the heat and the body temperature rises, sometimes up to 106 F (41.1 C) or higher. Another cause of heat stroke is dehydration. A dehydrated person may not be able to sweat fast enough to dissipate heat, which causes the body temperature to rise.

Those most susceptible individuals to heart strokes include:

infants,

the elderly (often with associated heart diseases, lung diseases, kidney diseases, or who are taking medications that make them vulnerable to dehydration and heat strokes),

athletes, and

individuals who work outside and physically exert themselves under the sun.

What are heat stroke symptoms and signs?

Symptoms of heat stroke can sometimes mimic those of heart attack or other conditions. Sometimes a person experiences symptoms of heat exhaustion before progressing to heat strokes.

Signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

nausea,

vomiting,

fatigue,

weakness,

headache,

muscle cramps and aches, and

dizziness.
However, some individuals can develop symptoms of heat stroke suddenly and rapidly without warning.

Different people may have different symptoms and signs of heatstroke. But common symptoms and signs of heat stroke include:

high body temperature,

the absence of sweating, with hot red or flushed dry skin,

rapid pulse,

difficulty breathing,

strange behavior,

hallucinations,

confusion,

agitation,

disorientation,

seizure, and/or

coma.

Next: How do you treat a heat stroke victim?
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Heat Stroke
The MedicineNet physician editors ask:
Describe your experience with heat stroke, and could it have been prevented?

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Wear a broad brimmed hat. Baseball caps are not enough. Also a light, long sleeve shirt helps, also. I used to wear long sleeve t shirts. They were a little warm, but about 15-20 minutes in, between the spray and sweat, they were actually cooler.
 
When i start getting hot in the Arizona sun, i just move faster!

It seems that the increased air flow speeds up the cooling process.


Kinda like an old Volkswagen engine, only different...




Really, the best advice on cooling off safely is from my old construction boss, "Slowly pour cold water on your wrists and the inside of your forearms and find some shade".

Very effective!
 
When I was growing up we trimmed trees outside and when it was really hot outside we would run a garden hose until it felt cool and then ran the cool water over our arms and neck and you felt a lot better.
 
Take a break, jump into your truck with the air on and hang for 10 min with a cold drink. This will bring down your body temp and keep you from stroking out.
 
Been there done that and have 2 t shirts to prove it. Its no joke! I never felt so sick and helpless in my whole life. Take the advice from the posts above and stay safe.
 
When I am working I have the ice chest in the back of the truck full of water and gatorade or powerade iced down and I tell the helpers to drink often so they stay hydrated.

It is nice to have a cold drink on a very hot day when you are tired, hot and just feel like sitting down for a few hours, the cold drinks really help a lot.

There is a brand of drink out there called SQWINCHER, if you get a chance, buy some and try them on hot days, they are better than gatorade or powerade and make a bigger difference on the hot days when you are wore out. They are harder to find but you can get them at the larger supply houses like Grainger and Ferguson.
 
i agree with all you guys. Especially chris. gatorade and those type of drinks have electrolytes in them. They are needed just as much as water. I worked in the bush for a while and got very sick a few times amongst other things. When you get it really bad it feels like your dying and it really takes a while to go away. I got pretty bad last summer when we had to clean up a big chem spill and we had to wear resperators and white suits. I wanted to get one of the workers and i to run into the street with the gear on grasping at our masks and falling on the ground it looked like we were from a movie. All joking aside Id rather see any of you guys late for a job cause you stopped for forgot water than hurt or worse. Stay safe everyone!!!!
 
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