With the arrival of summer and high temperatures, the risk of suffering from heat stroke increases. It is important to know your symptoms to act quickly, avoiding consequences that can be very serious even fatal, especially in young children and older people. When the thermometer rises above 35 – 40 degrees Celsius or before an intense exercise under the sun, the thermoregulation mechanisms of our body can fail triggering severe consequences, so, when enjoying the summer holidays, in this article of, we remember the symptoms of a heat stroke, what to do and how to prevent it.
Symptoms of heat stroke
When due to different circumstances, usually high external temperatures, our own body temperature rises without the thermoregulation system being able to do anything to avoid it, a dangerous heat stroke can occur. If that body temperature rises above 40 ºC, we will have to act quickly, because heat stroke is more than likely. The symptoms of this thermal anomaly are variable, but among the most frequent are:
- Feeling of warmth and suffocation throughout the body. Here you can learn more about Why My Body Exudes So Much Heat.
- Dizziness, fatigue, headache and even loss of consciousness in the most severe cases. Here you can read about Why it gives a headache when it's hot and how to remove it.
- Alteration in sweating. Excessive sweating may occur or, on the contrary, an abnormal lack of sweating (anhidrosis) may occur.
- Dryness and redness of the skin.
- Disorientation and mental confusion.
- Increased heart rate and breathing (hyperventilation).
- Nausea and even vomiting.
- Muscle cramps and even seizures.
- Fainting, which can lead to coma in very severe cases.
Symptoms of heat stroke
When due to different circumstances, usually high external temperatures, our own body temperature rises without the thermoregulation system being able to do anything to avoid it, a dangerous heat stroke can occur. If that body temperature rises above 40 ºC, we will have to act quickly, because heat stroke is more than likely. The symptoms of this thermal anomaly are variable, but among the most frequent are:
- Feeling of warmth and suffocation throughout the body. Here you can learn more about Why My Body Exudes So Much Heat.
- Dizziness, fatigue, headache and even loss of consciousness in the most severe cases. Here you can read about Why it gives a headache when it's hot and how to remove it.
- Alteration in sweating. Excessive sweating may occur or, on the contrary, an abnormal lack of sweating (anhidrosis) may occur.
- Dryness and redness of the skin.
- Disorientation and mental confusion.
- Increased heart rate and breathing (hyperventilation).
- Nausea and even vomiting.
- Muscle cramps and even seizures.
- Fainting, which can lead to coma in very severe cases.
How long a heat stroke lasts
The duration of a heat stroke is always variable because the effects of high temperatures and the ability to reduce them will depend largely on each person's own physical conditions. For example, it does not usually last the same in a young person and athlete who has been exposed in excess to an intense training on a very hot day, then the one that an older person can suffer for being in a too hot place or in full sun, being even worse if you have previous pathologies. In general, heat stroke is considered when the body maintains a temperature of more than 40 ºC for a period of 10 – 15 minutes. It is also true that the symptoms of heat stroke can arise suddenly or start being mild and get worse by not paying due attention.
It can be said that a heat stroke usually lasts between 1 and 6 hours, a time that could be extended, thus multiplying the serious health effects. If the decrease in temperature is not achieved, it is essential to go to the emergency room because prolonged heat stroke could be fatal.
How long a heat stroke lasts
The duration of a heat stroke is always variable because the effects of high temperatures and the ability to reduce them will depend largely on each person's own physical conditions. For example, it does not usually last the same in a young person and athlete who has been exposed in excess to an intense training on a very hot day, then the one that an older person can suffer for being in a too hot place or in full sun, being even worse if you have previous pathologies. In general, heat stroke is considered when the body maintains a temperature of more than 40 ºC for a period of 10 – 15 minutes. It is also true that the symptoms of heat stroke can arise suddenly or start being mild and get worse by not paying due attention.
It can be said that a heat stroke usually lasts between 1 and 6 hours, a time that could be extended, thus multiplying the serious health effects. If the decrease in temperature is not achieved, it is essential to go to the emergency room because prolonged heat stroke could be fatal.
