Rising temperatures across the globe are causing heat waves to increase in intensity and frequency. All this leads to many people suffering from heat stroke. There are numerous people who do not know well What is a heat stroke, what are its consequences and how it can be affected.
For this reason, we are going to dedicate this article to explaining to you step by step what heat stroke is, how it can affect you and how to avoid it.
What is a heatwave
The heat wave is a episode of abnormally high temperatures that last for several days or weeks and that also affect an important part of the geography of a country. How many days or weeks? The truth is that there is no official definition, so it is difficult to specify how many.
In Spain, it is said that it is a heat wave when extremely high temperatures are recorded (taking the period 1971-2000 as a reference) in at least 10% of the meteorological stations for at least three days. But really this threshold can vary a lot depending on the country, for example:
- In the Netherlands, a heat wave is considered when temperatures above 5ºC are recorded for at least 25 days in De Bilt, which is a municipality belonging to the province of Utrecht (Holland).
- In the United States: if temperatures are recorded above 32,2ºC for 3 days or more.
What is a heat stroke
Heat stroke is a disease caused by excess heat in the body, usually as a result of prolonged exposure to high temperatures or physical exertion in high temperatures. Heat stroke is the most serious form of heat injury and occurs if body temperature is 40°C or higher. This is more common in summer.
Heat stroke requires emergency treatment. Untreated heat stroke can quickly damage the brain, heart, kidneys, and muscles. The longer treatment is delayed, the more severe the damage, thus increasing the risk of serious complications or death.
Among its symptoms we find the following:
- High body temperature. A core body temperature of 104 F (40 C) or higher, measured with a rectal thermometer, is the main sign of heat stroke.
- Changes in mental status or behavior. Heat stroke can cause confusion, agitation, slurred speech, irritability, delirium, seizures, and coma.
- Changes in sweating. During heat stroke, the skin may feel hot and dry to the touch. However, during heat stroke caused by strenuous exercise, your skin may feel dry or slightly clammy.
- Nausea and vomiting. You may feel sick to your stomach or vomit.
- Redness of the skin. The skin may turn red as your body temperature rises.
- Difficulty breathing. Breathing may become rapid and shallow.
- Heart rate is fast. Your pulse increases significantly because heat stress puts a lot of pressure on your heart to help cool your body.
- Headache.
Causes of heat stroke
Heat stroke can occur due to:
- Exposure to high temperatures. A type of heat stroke called "exertional heat stroke" (classic) occurs when you are in a hot environment that causes your core body temperature to rise. Typically, this type of heat stroke occurs after exposure to hot, humid weather, especially after prolonged exposure. It occurs most often in older adults and people with chronic medical conditions.
- Strenuous activity. Exertional heat stroke occurs when the body's core temperature rises due to intense physical activity in hot weather. Exertional heat stroke can happen to anyone who exercises or is active in hot weather, but it's more likely if you're not used to the heat.
This can occur in either type of heat stroke for the following reasons:
- wearing too many clothes hinders the evaporation of sweat and cools the body
- Drink alcohol can affect the body's ability to regulate temperature
- Dehydration from not drinking enough water to replace the water lost in sweat
Factors riesgo
Anyone can get heat stroke, but several factors increase your risk:
- Years. The ability to cope with extreme heat depends on the strength of your central nervous system. In children, the central nervous system is not fully developed, while in adults over 65 years of age it begins to deteriorate, making the body unable to cope with changes in body temperature. Both age groups often have difficulty staying hydrated, which also increases risk.
- Exercise when it's hot. Military training in hot weather and participation in sports, such as playing soccer or running a long marathon, are some of the conditions in which heat stroke can occur.
- Sudden exposure to hot weather. You are more likely to develop heat-related illnesses if you are exposed to sudden increases in temperature, such as a heat wave in early summer, or if you travel to areas with warmer temperatures.
- Limit your activity for a few days to allow Let your body adapt to the change. However, you may still be at higher risk until you spend weeks in higher temperatures.
- Lack of air conditioning. During periods of constant heat, fans can provide some relief, but air conditioning is the most effective system for lowering temperatures and reducing humidity.
- Certain medications. Some medications can affect the body's ability to retain water and respond to heat. In hot weather, use it to constrict blood vessels (vasoconstrictors), regulate blood pressure by blocking epinephrine (beta-blockers), remove sodium and water from the body (diuretics), or reduce mental symptoms (antidepressants or antipsychotics).
- ADHD stimulants and illegal stimulants, like amphetamines and cocaine, can also make you more prone to it.
- Some diseases: Some chronic diseases, such as heart or lung disease, can increase the risk of heat stroke. The same goes for obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, and a history of heat stroke.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about what a heat stroke is and its characteristics.