Symptoms Of Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is a medical condition where the body is unable to regulate the body’s temperature. As a result, a person’s body begins to overheat and their temperature rises to dangerous levels.

Heat stroke is the most severe type of heat related medical condition a person can have and it is important that treatment is sought immediately.

People More Likely to Have Heat Stroke

While it is important to note that anyone can have a heat stroke, regardless of age or sex, there are certain groups of people that have a higher probability of having one. Babies and toddlers run a higher risk because their bodies are still developing and cannot sweat fast enough to cool off the body causing it to overheat.

Also at risk are the elderly for many reasons such as other underlying illnesses, diseases, or medications which causes the body to dehydrate, living in conditions where they are unable to afford to cool their homes, and overexertion in extremely high outdoor temperatures.

Other people that can have a heat stroke are athletes that play in summertime sports in high temperatures and do not drink plenty of water to keep hydrated and people that work outdoors and perform physical tasks that overexert their bodies when it is very hot outside.

Also Read

How to Hydrate After a Heat Stroke
How To Rehydrate Your System After A Heat Stroke
Heat Stroke Prevention

Heat stroke symptoms can vary from person to person and onset can be gradually or very quickly without any warnings. The most obvious symptoms are running a high fever, headache, dizziness, flushed red skin, increased pulse, problems breathing, disorientations, confusion, fainting, seizures, irritability, and even hallucinations.

Many of the symptoms are similar to those of a heart attack and should not be taken lightly. People that have high blood pressure and heart disease could also experience a heart attack with a heat stroke if their pulse is beating too fast. In extreme cases a person can go into a coma and even die as a result of a heat stroke.

Treating Heat Stroke

It is important to seek immediate medical treatment with a heat stroke. Ice packs and cool water can be applied to the person to help lower the body’s temperature while waiting for medical help to arrive.