What is thermal shock? Symptoms and ways to prevent heat stroke in hot days

Faced with prolonged hot weather, leading to high temperatures, heat illnesses occur frequently, especially heat stroke. Let’s find out more information about heat stroke with Tnhelearning.edu.vn and how to prevent it!

What is thermal shock?

Heat stroke is known as one of the types of heat illness that seriously affects the body.

When exposed to a hot environment, high temperature causes an imbalance in body heat, then body temperature will rise suddenly, causing disturbances in body functions , especially the nervous system. menstruation, which can lead to coma or death.

The groups at high risk of heat stroke are:

• The elderly, children, women : Those with low tolerance.
• People with chronic diseases such as heart disease, liver disease, cancer, …
• Outdoor workers such as workers, farmers, sports athletes, soldiers training outside the field, delivery staff, …

All patients have the common characteristics of working long hours in hot conditions, not resting and supplementing with adequate water and electrolytes.

The most common complications in patients with late acute heat stroke are usually convulsions , rhabdomyolysis , renal failure , prolonged coma , irreversible neurological and other organ damage , and even death .

Symptoms of heat stroke.

Heat stroke can have a sudden or gradual onset. Some symptoms of heat stroke are:

• Excessive sweating, muscle pain, muscle weakness, cramps, dizziness, headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, dizziness or fainting.
• High fever over 39-40 degrees Celsius.
• Dry, hot skin .
• Consciousness disturbances such as delirium, convulsions, coma. This is a potentially life-threatening condition that should be treated on the spot and then taken to the emergency room.

Proper first aid for heat stroke.

1. First aid outside the hospital

Step 1: Call for functional support .

Step 2: Take the patient out of the hot environment , take off some clothes, move to a shady place, get into a cool car or a cool house.

Step 3: Measures to reduce the patient’s temperature.

• Support airway , breathing, circulation by placing an intravenous line, oxygen, and ventilatory support if indicated.
• Immediate cooling by any means available but immediate hospitalization if heatstroke is suspected.
• Apply warm water on the patient then use a fan to increase the evaporation process.
• Apply an ice pack to the patient in the neck, armpit, and groin area.

Step 4: Transfer the patient to an air-conditioned vehicle or open a window to create the most favorable conditions for temperature reduction.

2. Treatment in the emergency department

All patients with symptoms of heatstroke and heat stroke must be admitted to the hospital for monitoring.

• Quickly stabilize the airway , support breathing and circulation. Administer oxygen and crystalloid fluids when undressed and core temperature measured.
• Use aggressive cooling measures to limit target lesions. The ideal is to reduce the temperature by 0.2 degrees C/min . Should stop when the temperature is 38 degrees .
• Evaporative cooling is safe, effective, easy to implement, well adapted: remove the patient’s clothes, wipe with warm water, then blow with a fan or use 15°C cool steam followed by 45°C warm air C .
• Use ice or immerse the patient in a cold bath . Although this method is effective quickly, there are many complications such as peripheral vasoconstriction, blood shunt, tremor. In addition, it is uncomfortable for the patient and is easy to cause excessive hypothermia.

Protective measures to prevent heat shock in hot weather.

Always cover up when outdoors

• Wear sunscreen : Sunscreen jackets are often designed with materials that can block both UV rays and reduce heat absorption , which is very suitable for protecting health from harsh sunlight, especially on summer days. . Currently, there are more and more types of good sunscreen, designs not only for women but also for children, adults and men to protect health and skin.
• Cover : Cover your head and face while traveling.
• Umbrella/umbrella : If walking to protect from the sun.
• Wear a hat when going out in the sun : Not only should the head be covered, but the nape of the neck should also be protected from the hot sun because this is an extremely sensitive skin.

Maintain body moisture

Drink enough water , avoid dehydration and salt when you have to work or go out in the hot sun. The body often loses a lot of water and electrolytes due to heat in the summer. Keep some salt , sugar and water handy and replenish them whenever you feel tired and exhausted . This will help maintain water and electrolyte balance throughout the day.

Avoid alcohol and caffeine

Both alcohol and caffeine dehydrate the body, leaving the body vulnerable to heat exhaustion. These are also drinks that affect the nervous system, so the use of alcohol and caffeine when participating in a hot environment for a long time leads to a very high possibility of heat shock.

Snack

Eat foods that are easy to digest . Avoid junk food and opt for fruit snacks and salads that are easy to digest, energizing and cooling. It is necessary to limit some spices or spicy and hot foods because they can make the body hotter and uncomfortable.

Apply sunscreen

Sun exposure can lead to sunburn and pigmentation. Use sunscreen to protect your skin from sun damage. More attention should be paid to choosing a sunscreen with the right SPF and PA rating.

Wear sunglasses

Exposure to bright sunlight, containing UV rays during the summer, can damage the eyes, causing many eye diseases such as: conjunctivitis, keratitis, dry eyes, … Wear sunglasses when going out. The outside will help protect the eyes.

Strengthen health training

Strength training not only makes the body more supple and full of life, but also helps to increase the ability to adapt to harsh weather .

Above is an article to share with you information about Heat Shock as well as effective measures to prevent it. Hope this information will help to protect the health of you and your family.