When the weather gets hot and humid, your body tries to stay cool by sweating. It’s your body’s natural way of keeping you comfortable in the heat. But sometimes, this natural system fails, leading to a dangerous condition called heatstroke. It’s more than just feeling hot or dizzy. Heatstroke is a medical emergency that can damage your brain, heart, kidneys, and muscles. Without quick treatment, it can even be fatal.
So, how do you know if you’re having heatstroke? And more importantly, what should you do if you, or someone near you, is experiencing one?
Let’s walk through what heatstroke is, its symptoms, how doctors diagnose it, and what treatments are available.
Heatstroke occurs when your body temperature rises rapidly, usually above 104°F (40°C), and your body can’t cool itself down. It often happens after prolonged exposure to high temperatures or physical exertion in hot weather. Unlike heat exhaustion, which is milder and may include symptoms like sweating and dizziness, heatstroke is far more serious and requires immediate medical attention.
Recognising the signs early can save a life. Here are the common symptoms of heatstroke:
If you or someone around you shows these symptoms—especially confusion and a high temperature—treat them as an emergency and immediately go to a hospital near you.
If you suspect someone is having a heatstroke, act fast. Here’s what to do:
Remember not to give medications to reduce fever. Over-the-counter drugs like paracetamol or ibuprofen don’t help in this case and can worsen the condition.
Heatstroke is generally diagnosed by:
Doctors will use a rectal thermometer to check core temperature, which gives a more accurate reading than oral or skin thermometers.
Doctors will check skin appearance, breathing, heart rate, and neurological signs like alertness and coordination.
To assess the impact of heatstroke on the body, tests may include:
The goal of treatment is simple: cool the body as quickly as possible and prevent organ damage. Doctors try different ways to cool down your body. They try:
In severe cases, dialysis or ventilation support may be needed if organs begin to fail.
Most people recover completely from heatstroke if treated early. However, in severe cases, people may sometimes take weeks or months to fully regain normal function. They can also develop:
While anyone can develop heatstroke, certain groups are more vulnerable:
As with most health emergencies, prevention is the best cure. Here’s how to stay safe during hot weather:
Heatstroke isn’t just another summer discomfort. It is a life-threatening emergency. Knowing how to recognise the warning signs and acting quickly can save your life or that of someone around you. If you suspect someone is suffering from heatstroke, get medical help immediately, cool them down, and stay with them until help arrives. You can visit a general medicine hospital in Bangalore or the city you reside in or go to a general medicine doctor in Bangalore or any other city.
When the heat rises, take it seriously. Protect yourself, stay informed, and help others beat the heat safely.
The length of heatstroke recovery depends on how severe it is and how quickly treatment begins. Mild cases often improve within 1 to 2 days with proper cooling and hydration. More serious cases may take several days to a week, and full recovery, especially if internal organs are affected, can sometimes take months or even up to a year.
You can:
No. Paracetamol, aspirin, or ibuprofen do not help with heatstroke and can sometimes cause harm. Medical attention is necessary, and CPR may be needed in severe cases.
The best fluids are cool, non-caffeinated drinks such as water, sports drinks, or coconut water to restore fluids and electrolytes. Avoid alcohol and sugary drinks, which can worsen dehydration. Severe cases might require hospital care and IV fluids.
Yes. If the body doesn’t get a chance to cool down and recover, especially at night, heat stress can worsen and lead to heatstroke, which may cause dizziness, confusion, or loss of consciousness.
Categories: General Medicine
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