Symptoms of overheating and heatstroke

As the temperature rises, the risk increases overheating of the body and heat stroke. Experts say it's important to recognize the signs and learn how to prevent them.

Anyone at any age can suffer from overheating of the body. The main reason is high temperatures, especially in combination with high humidity. Without timely treatment overheating of the body can lead to heatstroke – a life-threatening condition requiring emergency medical care.

Overheating of the body: symptoms

Symptoms of overheating may occur suddenly or develop over time, especially during prolonged physical activity. Signs of heat exhaustion include:

• Cool, moist skin with chilliness in hot weather.
• Profuse sweating
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Weak rapid heartbeat
• Low blood pressure while standing
• Muscle spasms
• Seasickness
• Headache.

When to see a doctor

If you think your body is overheating:

1. Stop all activities and rest
2. Move to a cooler place
3. Drink cool water or sports drinks
4. Contact your doctor if symptoms worsen or do not improve within an hour.

If you are around a person suffering from heat exhaustion, seek immediate medical attention if they begin to appear confused or upset, lose consciousness, or are unable to drink fluids. If core body temperature (measured with a rectal thermometer) reaches 40°C or higher, immediate cooling and emergency medical attention are needed.

Heat stroke: symptoms

Signs of heat stroke include:

• High body temperature: A core body temperature of 40°C or higher, measured with a rectal thermometer, is the main sign of heat stroke.
• Change in mental status or behavior. Heat stroke can lead to confusion, agitation, slurred speech, irritability, delirium, seizures and coma.
• Change in sweating. During heat stroke caused by hot weather, the skin becomes hot and dry to the touch. However, with heat stroke caused by intense exercise, the skin may feel dry or slightly damp.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Redness of the skin.
• Rapid and shallow breathing.
• Rapid pulse. Your heart rate may increase significantly as heat stress increases the workload on your heart.
• Headache.

When to see a doctor

If you think a person has suffered heatstroke, seek medical attention immediately. Call 166! Take immediate steps to cool the victim while you wait for emergency help:

• Place the person in the shade or indoors.
• Remove unnecessary clothing.
• Cool the person in any way possible: place it in a bath of cool (not ice) water or under a cool shower, gently hose it down, wet a sponge with cool water and run it over the body, place it in front of a fan and spray water in front of the fan to create a cool water mist, place bags with ice or cold wet towels on the head, neck, armpits and groin.

Overheating of the body and heat stroke: prevention

As temperatures rise, remember the following:

Wear loose, light clothing: Wearing a lot of clothing, especially tight-fitting ones, will not allow the body to cool down properly.

Protect yourself from sunburn: it affects the body's ability to cool itself. Protect yourself outdoors with a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Apply liberally and reapply every two hours. Reapply more often if you swim or sweat.

Drink plenty of fluids: Keeping yourself hydrated helps the body sweat and maintain a normal body temperature.

Be careful with certain medications: Monitor for heat-related problems if you are taking medications that may affect your body's ability to stay hydrated and respond to heat.

Never leave anyone in a parked car: it is a common cause of heat-related infant mortality. When parked in the sun, the temperature inside the car can rise by more than 11°C in 10 minutes. In hot weather, it is not safe to leave someone in a parked car, even if the windows are cracked or the car is in the shade. Keep parked cars locked so your child can't get in alone.

Relax during the hottest time of the day: If you can't avoid vigorous activity in hot weather, drink fluids and get plenty of rest in a cool place. Try to schedule exercise or physical activity during cooler times of the day, such as early morning or evening.

Get used to hot weather gradually: limit the time you spend working or exercising until you adjust to it. People who are not used to hot weather are especially susceptible to heat-related illnesses. It may take several weeks for your body to adjust to the warm weather.

Be careful if you are at high risk: if you are taking medications or have a condition that increases your risk of heat-related problems, such as a history of heat illness, use caution. Avoid heat and act quickly if you notice symptoms of overheating. If you exercise, make sure medical services are prepared in case of an emergency.

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