Know the symptoms of heat stroke and how to deal with it & bull; hello healthy

Living in a tropical country like Indonesia, we are very familiar with the scorching hot weather which makes it stifling and uncomfortable.

What not many people know is that prolonged physical activity in the heat of the sun or in a high-temperature environment can cause a number of serious problems to the body, and not just heat or sunburn - but also heat stroke.

What is heat stroke?

Heat stroke (heatstroke), is a condition when your body experiences a dramatic, rapid increase in body temperature, and you are unable to cool off. Heat stroke usually occurs when a person feels intense heat due to exposure to hot temperatures from sunburn outside the body's tolerance limits.

Heat stroke may occur without an initial heat or heat-related condition, such as fatigue.

What are the signs someone is experiencing heat stroke?

Signs and symptoms heat stroke , including:

• High fever (40º C) or more
• Heavy sweating
• Headache, lightheadedness, and discomfort
• Red and dry skin
• Slowed response rate
• Sudden pulse spike
• Changes in mental status or behavior, such as confusion, rebellion, slurred speech
• Nauseous vomit
• Rapid breathing
• Fainting, as the first sign in an advanced adult

What to do to help the affected person heat stroke?

When you have a heat stroke, try to cool down your body temperature by any means, for example:

• Carry them into the air-conditioned room
• Soak in cold water or flush with cold water
• Spray with water from the hose
• Apply ice to the entire body, especially the neck, armpits and groin
• Body fan
• Wet a blanket or sheet in cold water and cover it over your body
• Drink cold, non-caffeinated and non-alcoholic water, if your body conditions permit

If the person is still experiencing symptoms of heat stroke after cooling down, keep repeating these efforts until the body temperature drops.

Sometimes CPR is required

To note, if the victim loses consciousness during a heat stroke, open her airway and check vital signs - including breathing and pulse. Perform artificial respiration followed by CPR, if needed.

CPR for adult victims and children over 1 year of age:

• Place the heel of one hand in the center of your chest between the nipple line. You can also place your free hand on it.
• Press it down about 5 centimeters. Make sure not to press on the ribs.
• Perform 30 chest compressions, at a rate of 100 compressions per minute or more. Allow the chest to fully rise between the presses.
• Check if the person has started breathing.

CPR for children under 1 year:

• Place two fingers on the sternum.
• Press down 1-2 centimeters deep. Make sure not to press the ends of the sternum.
• Perform 30 chest compressions, at a rate of 100 compressions per minute or more. Allow the chest to fully rise between the presses.
• Check to see if the child has started breathing.

Note: the above instructions are not intended to be a substitute for official CPR training that you can get through the Indonesian Red Cross or other official health care institutions. Also note that after receiving CPR, victims should immediately get further medical assistance to check for complications of organ damage.

If the victim is still not breathing, do two short breaths and then 30 chest compressions. Repeat this cycle until the person starts breathing or medical help arrives.

How to prevent heat stroke (heat stroke)?

When the weather is high, it's best to stay in an air-conditioned room. If you are required to do activities outside the home, always check the weather conditions. You can avoid getting attacked heat stroke with the tips below:

• Wear thin, light-colored, baggy clothes. Use a hat with a wide flap
• Apply sunscreen of at least SPF 30, or more
• Increase body fluids. Try to drink more water or fruit than usual to prevent dehydration. Since all ailments associated with hot weather can be caused by a lack of salt in the body, you can also work around this by consuming electrolyte-rich sports drinks during days of extreme sun and stuffy air.
• Be wise when doing outdoor activities. If possible, cancel any outdoor activities during extreme heat. Change the schedule of activities in the morning or after sunset.

If you suspect yourself or someone around you has had a heat stroke, get medical help right away (118). If heat stroke is left untreated, this condition can be life threatening by causing damage to the brain and other vital organs.