Heat Stroke: Causes, Symptoms, and Preventions

Context

• As summer temperatures rise, the National Centre for Disease Control recommends that states and union territories report heatstroke data to the Integrated Health Information Portal (IHIP).

Early Warnings On Heat Stroke 

• Precautionary Measures: Early warnings and the avoidance of activities between noon and 3pm. are among the precautionary measures offered to prevent health risks during huge gatherings.
• Guidelines for Election rally organizers: Organizers are instructed to avoid overcrowding, identify vulnerable persons, and establish medical camps with uniformed medical aid teams and clear departure signs.

About Heat Stroke

• About: Heat stroke is a form of hyperthermia or heat-related illness, an abnormally elevated body temperature with accompanying physical symptoms including changes in the nervous system function.
• Symptoms: The body temperature rises to 105 degrees Fahrenheit or higher and you develop neurological changes, such as mental confusion or unconsciousness. 

Causes of Heat Stroke

• Exertional heat stroke: It occurs when someone is vigorously active in a hot environment, such as playing sports on a hot summer day or participating in military training activities. It typically strikes young, otherwise healthy people, those least likely to be concerned about the effects of heat on their health. Because of the lack of concern, early symptoms may be dismissed or ignored.
• Non-exertional heat stroke: It  tends to occur in people who have a diminished ability to regulate body temperature, such as older people, very young children or people with chronic illnesses. High heat in the surrounding environment, without vigorous activity, can be enough to cause heat stroke in these people.

Steps to Diagnose, Treat and Prevent Heat Strokes at the Onset of Summer

• Proper Planning: Administrative planning meetings, weekly review and daily tracking of cases and mortality during an epidemic.
• Developing Protocols: Develop and disseminate ‘heatstroke protocol’ to all medical and nursing staff
• Ensuring Cooling Supplies in Hospitals: Ensure cooling supplies and equipment: Ice blocks, refrigerated intravenous (i.v.) fluids, spraying devices (gardening sprays,air coolers, pedestal fans, and sponges).

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