Felled by the heat
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Last week saw some of the hottest temperatures that Thailand has ever seen and while the rain that followed served to cool things down, the hot season is far from over.
Of course, this being a tropical country, few places are ever really cool but in the summer, with the sun at its zenith, the risk from such hot weather related diseases as heat stroke are ever present.
And with global warming almost certain to bring increasingly higher temperatures, it is important that we learn to recognise the symptoms as well as what to do whether the weather knocks us out.
Heat stroke occurs when the body cannot cope with the sudden increase of heat. The temperature control centre in the brain cannot work fast enough to order other systems to release heat.
Normally, this temperature control centre in this brain will |keep body temperature at a steady 37 degrees Celsius.
The centre is sensitive to the temperature of blood passing through and when the blood temperature rises, the centre will send a signal through nerve fibres throughout the body. Blood vessels will then expand to allow heat to be released from the body.
The metabolic system is reduced in order to lower heat production. If the temperature control system centre is overheated and fails to perform normally, you will experience what is called “heat stroke”.
The more a person is dehydrated, the higher the risk of heat stroke. Heavy exercise over a prolonged period makes the body less tolerant to dehydration. When there is insufficient blood to feed the skin and inner organs, such as brain, liver and muscles, the body reacts by feeding blood to the internal organs and muscles, at a cost to the skin. As a result, body temperature rises uncontrollably.
Symptoms of heat stroke include the following:
- Thirsty, dry mouth and throat
- High temperature, rapid and shallow breathing
- Dizziness, blurred vision
- Uncontrolled movements
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of consciousness
If you continue to move after you experience these symptoms, continuing your activity will cause your body to stop sweating, your skin will become suddenly dry and your body temperature will rise uncontrollably. Next, your organs will not be able to perform normally and you will become unconscious. Without prompt first aid, you may die.
If you have been out in the sun for a long time and experience any of these symptoms, find shade and rest. Loosen your clothes. Cool down by using wet towels to wipe your body.
Sip water slowly from time to time until you are no longer thirsty. Do not drink any beverages containing alcohol or caffeine.
Loss of consciousness requires immediate first aid. Steps include
- Increase blood circulation to the brain by lying down and lifting the feet high.
- Reduce body temperature by moving the unconscious person to the shade with good ventilation and loosening the clothes. Then cool down body temperature by repeatedly pouring water on the body and wiping with a towel.
- When the person recovers consciousness, continue to wipe his/her body with wet towel from time to time. If he/she does not feel sick and isn’t vomiting, allow him/her to sip water and rest for at least one more hour.
- If despite these measures, the person remains unconscious for at least five minutes, he/she should be sent to hospital. First aid should be continuously provided until arrival at the emergency room.
For more information on coping with heat stroke, call The Neurology Centre, Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital at (02) 711 8491.
