During the summer months, when places like the Kingdom can experience heat waves, it becomes very important to know about abnormally elevated body temperature and its physical and neurological symptoms. These symptoms may indicate the presence of the heat-related illness hyperthermia - commonly known as heat stroke. The affliction is a real medical emergency which can be fatal in up to 80 percent cases if not properly treated. “The classic definition of heatstroke includes the presence of inner body (core) temperature higher than 40°C, central nervous system dysfunction, and (the) absence of sweating. Anyone with high temperature above 40°C and experiencing confusion, lethargy or even falling into a coma should be considered to have suffered heatstroke,” explained Dr. Abdul Majid Wani, a consultant in the Emergency department at Hera General Hospital, Makkah. He added that the symptoms of heat stroke include a rise in core temperature, lack of sweating, flushed skin color and dry skin, rapid pulse, breathing difficulties, abnormal behavior, hallucinations, agitation, disorientation, seizures and sometimes even coma. “Victims may suffer different symptoms from others, but these are the most common signs,” he said. “Patients should be admitted to a hospital as soon as possible to receive the level of care required. Those who are intubated, hemodynamically labile (with restricted blood circulation), or require invasive hemodynamic monitoring or sustained cooling should be admitted to the intensive care unit.” First aid measures These include the removal of clothing, spraying the victim with water, and providing sufficient air to him or her. Since all heat-related illnesses are preventable, Dr. Wani provided general recommendations to avoid excess heat: • Reduce exercise or excess activity in hot weather. • Wear loose-fitting and light-colored thin clothes. • Drinking lots of cold water. • Those working outside and under a hot sun should understand that as soon as they stop perspiring while working, they are in danger of heat stroke. • Victims should immediately drink water freely and copiously to provide moisture for perspiration. • Skin and clothing should both be wet with water. • Straw hats should be worn, ventilated at the top, while the crown of the hat should be filled with green leaves and wet sponge. • One can decrease endogenous heat production in their bodies by increasing carbohydrate intake and decreasing protein intake. • Infants, young children and people above the age of 65 are very sensitive to the effects of high temperatures and rely on others to regulate their environments and provide adequate liquid. • Do not leave children alone in cars for long periods. In fact, even in a cool climate or normal temperature, cars can heat up to dangerous temperatures very quickly. Even with the windows cracked open, interior temperatures can rise almost 20 degrees Fahrenheit within the first 10 minutes. Anyone left inside is at risk for serious heat-related illnesses or even death. Children who are left unattended in parked cars are at the greatest risk for possibly fatal heat stroke. When traveling with children, do not leave infants or young children in the car, even if they have fallen asleep, Dr. Wani advised. Be aware of these simple and convenient procedures. Besides the cessation of perspiration, the pupils of a victim may also contract, there may be great occurrence of micturition (fainting shortly after or during urination) and marked exhaustion with a weak pulse. For those exposed to the direct rays of sun for a long period of time, the free use of water, both externally and internally, is the best prophylactic against heatstroke. The most common situations for the cause of serious heatstroke are high environmental temperature combined with high humidity.
