Disorders caused by high temperatures include heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat-related injury during exercise, and heat stroke.
What is heat exhaustion?
Heat exhaustion is a failure in the cardiocirculatory response to high temperatures. It can start suddenly and quickly. The skin turns a grey colour and becomes cold and sweaty. Heat exhaustion typically occurs in elderly people who take diuretics.
The most common symptoms are weakness, dizziness, anorexia, nausea, and sometimes vomiting and fainting, which can lead to collapse.
When suffering from heat exhaustion, the patient should be moved to a cool place and kept lying down, slowly replenishing fluids, even administered intravenously.
What is heatstroke?
Heatstroke occurs when temperature regulation mechanisms fail causing an abrupt elevation in temperature, known as hyperthermia, producing a fever above 40 ° and prostration.
It occurs, above all, in the elderly and patients with previous chronic diseases or those who use diuretics. It also occurs in healthy individuals who perform intense physical exercise (exercise-related heatstroke).
Symptoms usually include dry, hot skin, fast breathing and pulse, decreased blood pressure, nausea and vomiting, altered behaviour, and seizures. It can also produce bleeding disorders which can result in sudden death or fatal acute complications, such as renal failure.
The patient must be undressed and placed in a cool place, administered cold fluids and skin massages, and immediate medical assistance is required.
Tips for preventing hyperthermia and heatstroke:
1.-Hydration is essential for prevention and treatment. Sweetened fizzy drinks, tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages should be avoided.
2.-Dress appropriately. Wear a hat and loose, lightweight and clear-coloured clothes.
3.-Stay in cool places and in the shade. Older people, especially those with chronic conditions, should avoid going outside on hot and humid days, and should look for places with air conditioning.
4.-Eat light meals rich in fruits, vegetables or salads as they will replace the loss of mineral salts.
5.-Avoid physical exercise during the hottest and most humid times of the day.
The information published in this media neither substitutes nor complements in any way the direct supervision of a doctor, his diagnosis or the treatment that he may prescribe. It should also not be used for self-diagnosis.
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ASSSA advises you to always consult your doctor about any issue concerning your health
ASSSA advises you to always consult your doctor about any issue concerning your health.
