Heat Stroke and Dehydratation Injuries

Injuries related to heat stroke and dehydration can sometimes be life-threatening.

Therefore anyone active under the sun should always hydrate proprely and know the symptoms of a heat stroke so activities can be stopped before its too late.

Heat stroke or Hyperthermia occurs when the body didn’t get enough fluid and cannot cool down anymore or regulate its own temperature.

Under the heat, a body with enough fluids will sweat to regulate its temperature. When the body is missing fluids to sweat,Hyperthermia occurs.

Anyone who is participating in any recreational or work activities in high heat should make sure to always have sufficient water or liquid available. Additionally it is important to know about heat stroke symptoms.

Usually the first symptoms that a body needs fluids are headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and muscle cramps. When someone who has been active in the sun experiences these type of symptoms it is a sign that this person is potentially suffering from heat exhaustion. Steps must be taken to address the heat exhaustion so it doesn’t worsen and turns into a heat stroke.

A person experiencing a heat exhaustion should immediately stop any activity and rest, drink water, and stay out of the sun in a colder area. Spraying the body with cold water and removing clothes might also help

Not following the above steps might result in heat stroke which can result in serious injury and death. Heat stroke occurs when the body temperature goes above 105 degrees Fahrenheit and mental confusion or loss of consciousness occur. Extreme body heat can destroy protein and membranes around cells especially in the brain. Heart muscles, blood vessels and other internal organs can also be damaged, ultimately resulting in death.

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke have a high risk to occur if someone:

• is vigorously active under the heat. Sport enthusiasts, construction workers and army people are particularly at risk.
• suffers chronic illness or whose body is too young or too old to proprely regulate its own temperature
• doesn’t drink enough water
• wears heavy or bulky clothes such as firefighters
• is overweight
• is sleep deprived
• is unaccustomed to the heat, when travelling to a different country for example
• takes certain types of medication such as antihistamines, diuretics or  laxatives as well as some heart medications
• is confined in a poorly ventilated hot space
• previously suffered heat stroke
• uses illicit drugs

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