How to prevent heat stroke due to hot weather

Heat stroke (or sunstroke) is a serious heat illness. Normally, the thermoregulatory center keeps the body's temperature at a balanced level, not changing much according to the impact of the environment. When exposed to prolonged heat, exertion causes the thermoregulatory center to be damaged or can no longer control that balance, the body's temperature will increase sharply, causing disorders in the body's functions, especially the nervous system, which can lead to coma and death.

People at high risk of heat stroke include:

Elderly, children, women: People with poor endurance, people with chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, liver disease, cancer, etc. Outdoor workers such as workers, farmers, athletes, soldiers training on the field, delivery staff, etc. Patients all have in common the characteristic of working long hours in hot conditions, without rest and adequate water and electrolyte replenishment. The most common complications in patients with late emergency heatstroke are often convulsions, rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, prolonged coma, irreversible damage to nerves and other organs, and even death.

Symptoms of heat stroke and how to treat it

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

Excessive sweating, muscle pain, muscle weakness, cramps, dizziness, headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness or fainting. High fever above 39 - 40 degrees Celsius. Dry, hot skin. Disorders of consciousness such as delirium, convulsions, coma. This is a dangerous condition that can be life-threatening and requires immediate treatment on the spot and then emergency care.

How to treat a patient with signs of heat stroke by cooling the body quickly and providing supportive care through the following steps:

Quickly move the victim out of the hot area and into a cool place. Lay the victim down and remove some of their clothing. Use cold water or wet towels to cover the entire body of the person with heat stroke, and use a fan to cool them down. You can spray water on the person, use a fan, or put the person in ice water. Give them water to drink immediately if they are still conscious and not vomiting much. At the same time, call an ambulance immediately and transfer the patient to the nearest medical facility. On the way, turn on the air conditioner or the ambulance window, continue to apply wet towels and cold water to the body to cool. Administer intravenous fluids if possible and always monitor the patient's body temperature. If the patient has kidney damage, continuous dialysis may be required. Intensive care depends on the patient's condition.

Prevention of heat stroke

If you have to go out in the sun, the strong sunlight on your skin will cause your body temperature to rise. In this case, the most effective preventive measures will include drinking enough fluids and avoiding excessive heat.

Wear sun protection clothing:Sun protection jackets are often designed with materials that can prevent both UV rays and reduce heat absorption, very suitable for protecting health from harsh sunlight, especially on summer days.

Wear a hat when going out in the sun:Not only the head, but the nape of the neck also needs to be protected from the sun because this is an extremely sensitive part of the skin.

Cover the nape of the neck (back of the neck):The body's thermoregulatory center is located in the nape of the neck. Direct sunlight on the nape of the neck can paralyze the center and cause loss of body temperature control. Therefore, it is very necessary to cover the nape of the neck by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, a high-collared shirt, or a large scarf that can be wrapped around the back to cover the nape of the neck when going out in hot weather.

For employees:To prevent heat stroke, workers need to wear sunscreen and protective glasses when working outdoors.

Maintain body moisture: Drink enough water, avoid dehydration and salt when working or going out in hot weather. The body often loses a lot of water and electrolytes due to heat in the summer. Keep some salt, sugar and water nearby and replenish them whenever you feel tired and exhausted. This will help maintain water and electrolyte balance throughout the day.

Apply sunscreen:Sun exposure can lead to sunburn and pigmentation. Use sunscreen to protect your skin from sun damage. Be sure to choose a sunscreen with the appropriate SPF and PA.

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,... Wearing sunglasses when going out will help protect the eyes.

Increase physical exercise:Exercising not only makes the body more flexible and full of vitality, but also helps increase the ability to adapt to harsh weather./