How long does heatstroke last? How to treat it? Overheating in the sun - symptoms in adults Temperature from overheating in the sun what to do

Decorative 18.11.2022
Decorative

Summer... Heat... Where can you find salvation from it, if not on the shore of the sea or at least a river, beckoning with its saving coolness and a lot of different pleasures! Having bathed and swam to your heart's content in the pleasant cool water, you want to soak up the hot sand, happily exposing your chilled body to the gentle rays of the generous sun. I didn’t notice how half an hour passed... And when I wanted to get up, I suddenly felt very weak and dizzy. What is this? This means that you are overheated in the sun.

If you overheat in the sun, what should you do? It is important to remember that the human body begins to intensively fight against a sharp increase in body temperature. The body sweats profusely, cooling significantly at the same time. Breathing quickens, actively supplying the blood with oxygen. Small blood vessels quickly dilate, forcing the blood to work more actively, thereby increasing the release of heat from an overheated body. A person’s skin turns red or pale, dry mouth and nose appear, dizziness, and there may be nausea and weakness throughout the body, especially in the legs. What if to avoid complications? This question is very important, because if no immediate action is taken, shortness of breath, tinnitus, nausea and vomiting can be expected as a result of insufficient blood supply to vital organs. The skin becomes pale, the pulse becomes rapid, breathing becomes uneven and may even stop. It is also possible

If you overheat in the sun, what should you do?

First of all, don't panic. If possible, ask for medical help. If this is not possible, you can deal with this problem yourself. The person must be moved into the shade, freed from clothing that is constricting the body, unfasten his belt, take off his shoes, and place a cushion under his knees, for example, a folded blanket or clothing. If a person’s body is red, a cushion should also be placed under the head. Then cold water compresses should be applied to the body to cool it down (primarily to the head and heart area). If conditions permit, you need to use a cool bath or shower, this will protect the body from dehydration. It would be a good idea to wrap your body in a wet sheet. A person in this condition loses a lot of moisture, therefore, to avoid dehydration, the victim must be given plenty of water. The body is important. If you don’t have a thermometer, you can determine if it’s elevated by using Calculate your pulse. 100-110 beats per minute is considered normal. When it overheats, it hits 120-130 times.

If you overheat in the sun, what to do when the victim is unconscious?

There is a proven remedy: bring a cotton swab soaked in ammonia to the victim’s nose. If he suffers from very severe headaches, you need to give him 1 or 2, for example, Aspirin or Analgin.

What to do to prevent overheating?

In hot weather, drinking plenty of fluids is beneficial. Light, loose clothing and a light-colored hat should be worn. If you are relaxing at the sea or other open bodies of water, do not stay under the hot sun for more than 20 minutes. Best time for tanning - before ten o'clock and after seventeen. You can sunbathe an hour after eating.

The child is overheated in the sun: symptoms

The child is lethargic and does not feel well. His temperature rises sharply, thirst, dry mouth, and nausea appear. The pulse is very weak, there is no sweating. If a child's body temperature can rise to 40 degrees, he may experience hallucinations, and the baby may lose consciousness. In this case, you must immediately call an ambulance! And while she is driving, the child needs to be cooled, for example, by wrapping the body in a sheet soaked in lukewarm water. If possible, help him take a cool shower or bath.

In hot weather, poor ventilation and high humidity, there is a high risk of heat stroke. Due to the high air temperature, the human body quickly overheats, metabolism becomes much faster, and blood vessels swell, while capillary permeability increases significantly. Therefore, during heatstroke, a person’s well-being sharply worsens and a number of alarming symptoms appear. This is where the questions become especially relevant: how long does heat stroke last, and how can this condition be overcome?

Under what conditions is there a risk of heatstroke?

Heatstroke can affect not only those who spend time under the hot sun, but also drivers in their cars, workshop workers, athletes and other people of various occupations. Even sauna and bathhouse workers or an office employee whose air conditioner has broken down are at risk.

For heat stroke, 3 components are sufficient:

  1. High temperature.
  2. High humidity.
  3. Excessive heat production.

Muscle activity can also lead to heatstroke.

At first glance, heat stroke does not seem so serious and dangerous to a person’s health and life, but without timely help it can lead to vascular collapse, coma and even death. A person in a state of heat stroke needs outside help and prompt restoration of water-salt balance. And, if you suspect that a person close to you or even someone you don’t know has symptoms of heatstroke, then rush to offer him help.

The danger of heatstroke in children

Heat strokes occur especially often in children, since, given their anatomical characteristics, increased heat production is often pathological in nature.

This is due to the following features:

  • children's bodies are much smaller;
  • heat transfer and heat production are not stable;
  • the thermogenesis core is easily irritated;
  • compensatory mechanisms are unstable.

Heatstroke is much more severe than in an adult and can cause:

  • strong expansion of capillaries;
  • blood clots and arterial-venous shunts;
  • the occurrence of metabolic pathologies;
  • intoxication of the body;
  • hypoxia and other disorders.

All this is detrimental to a young body and can lead to the development of kidney, liver and heart disease.

Heat stroke symptoms and first aid

Heat stroke can be determined by the following symptoms:

  • dry mouth and thirst;
  • weakness and body aches;
  • severe headache;
  • difficulty breathing and stuffiness;
  • painful sensation behind the sternum;
  • constant aching pain in lower limbs and back.

Also, during heat stroke, breathing and the frequency of myocardial contractions accelerate. Hypothermia causes the skin to become pink with signs of irritation. After some time, blood pressure begins to decrease significantly and urination is impaired. Sometimes in children with heatstroke, the body temperature reaches 41 degrees, which has a very bad effect on health and is fraught with serious complications.

Symptoms that require urgent hospitalization:

  • the face looks swollen;
  • the skin has a cyanotic appearance;
  • breathing is difficult and intermittent;
  • the pupils are noticeably dilated;
  • alarming muscle cramps appeared;
  • fever;
  • diarrhea and gastroenteritis;
  • urination stops.

How long heat stroke lasts depends on many factors, but, first of all, on its degree. Thus, a mild degree of heat stroke is accompanied by redness of the skin and a temperature of up to 39, or even 41 degrees. This condition can last for 2-4 days spent on rest. If brain neurons are damaged as a result of heat stroke, then even long-term treatment with modern medications will not help to fully restore health.

There is a group of people who are especially at risk for heatstroke. It includes those who have an innate sensitivity to high temperature, as well as people who are overweight, suffer excessive stress and are in a state of psycho-emotional overstrain, have cardiovascular and endocrine diseases, neurological diseases, are intoxicated, smoke, wear in thick clothes, etc.

Most often, heat stroke manifests itself in the form of extreme thirst (a person cannot get drunk), weakness, muscle pain and a gradual acceleration of the pulse. If the disease develops into a more severe form, then convulsions appear, involuntary bowel movements and urination occur. The condition may worsen and the patient will begin to vomit and bleed. Although children are more at risk from the sun than adults, they are able to heal on their own without the need for hospitalization due to their reactivity. Adults, on the contrary, suffer even a small heatstroke much more difficult and even with moderate severity they require immediate mandatory hospitalization.

If the first signs of an impact are detected, it is necessary to provide assistance to the victim and carry out the following procedures:

  • drink as much water as possible to stop dehydration;
  • loosen the collar and belt;
  • cool the skin;
  • remove synthetic clothing;

In most cases, it is simply enough to take the person into a cool room or shade, give him water and wet his skin with cool water so that he feels relief. If the symptoms indicate moderate or severe heat stroke, you should do the same, but also lay the victim down, elevate his legs and call an ambulance.

Medical care for heatstroke

Moderate or severe heatstroke requires qualified medical attention.

As a rule, the following drugs are used for treatment:

  1. Antipyretics (paracetamol and ibuprofen);
  2. Vasoconstrictors (Cavinton, Vinpocetine, Trental);
  3. Painkillers (analgin and infulgan).

Antipyretic drugs are used only if the temperature exceeds 39 degrees. Basically, small doses of paracetamol are used; antipyretics in the form of suppositories are prescribed for children. In very severe cases, an infulgan is used intravenously. Antipyretics can shorten the course of the disease and normalize blood supply. If the patient does not recover, hydrocortisone and prednisolone are used in rare cases. These drugs must be administered very carefully, gradually increasing the dose and decreasing it when it is discontinued. Patients are also given cleansing enemas and recommended to take a cool shower every day to relieve overheating.

How to treat heatstroke at home

You can manage the symptoms of heatstroke at home using a number of methods:

  • apply cool compresses to the head to relieve headaches and reduce fever;
  • apply cold compresses to the great vessels and liver to reduce the temperature and prevent complications;
  • rinse the stomach;
  • do warm enemas;
  • wrap in a cool sheet or diaper.

Wrapping yourself in a cool cloth is one of the simplest and oldest ways to cope with heatstroke. In particular, children are often wrapped in swaddling clothes, as this can quickly lower body temperature, soothe and reduce the discomfort caused by heat stroke. You can also take a cool shower and stand under the water for as long as possible. For mild strokes, cool wraps and compresses are usually enough to provide relief. Several procedures and rest will allow you to quickly forget about heat stroke and return to a normal rhythm of life.

If all these actions do not bring results and there is no noticeable improvement in the condition, then medications are needed.

To avoid complications, it is worth using special preparations and mixtures in time in addition to physical methods. So, it is safest to prepare a lytic mixture (aminazine, dibazole and pipolfen are mixed in novocaine), which quite effectively combats the consequences of heat stroke.

For even greater results, you can use droperidol, and sodium hydroxybutyrate and seduxen will help with muscle cramps. You should not use antipyretics when the temperature has dropped to 37.5 and carry out active drug treatment unless there are compelling reasons for this. Particular care must be taken when handling children. Do not rush to apply therapeutic procedures and “bring down” the temperature. In case of heatstroke, it is important to prevent complications, and temperature is only one of the symptoms and is not the object of treatment.

When does heat stroke start and how long does it last?

It is difficult to determine the duration of heat stroke, since its first symptoms can always be noticed at the very beginning. Often, dry mouth, thirst, weakness and headache already indicate that you have suffered heatstroke. However, these symptoms may not be paid attention to, and only when arrhythmia appears, the temperature rises and other symptoms appear, it becomes clear that the problem is heat stroke. Then it can progress to a severe stage, and even cause damage to the nervous system.

Heat stroke and the fever that accompanies it have stages of development and decline:

  1. Prodromal (often occurs almost unnoticeably);
  2. Elevation (can be critical or lyrical);
  3. Stability;
  4. Reverse lysis.

At the beginning, heatstroke seems to warm up. The nervous system is in extremely high tone, but the peripheral arteries are not, at the same time the blood flow is “centralized”. Due to problems with peripheral microcirculation, the so-called “goose bumps” appear, accompanied by chills, trembling and a sharp feeling of cold. By not missing this moment and starting to act already at this stage, you can prevent unpleasant consequences and quickly overcome heat stroke. U different people Symptoms at this stage manifest themselves in different ways and with varying degrees of strength. Some people clearly feel the changes, while others begin to understand that they received heatstroke only at the stage of rising fever.

The development of the disease is critical when the temperature rises to high levels very quickly (on average, in 40-45 minutes), but also quickly decreases if measures are taken and treatment is carried out. The lyrical course of the disease is much more dangerous and longer lasting. It is largely prolonged and may not be accompanied by a constantly high temperature, but it is accompanied by lethargy, drowsiness, a drop in blood pressure and an accelerated heart rate. It is important to rest throughout this period and not try to endure the disease on your feet, because serious complications are possible.

With rest and proper treatment, you can quickly move into the stability phase, when deterioration is no longer observed, and move into the reverse lysis stage. At this stage, you will feel a noticeable drop in temperature and an improvement in your well-being.

How to Avoid Heat Stroke

As already mentioned, there are people predisposed to heatstroke, but they can also avoid danger if they are careful. It is important to avoid dehydration, small stuffy rooms, not to stay in the sun for long periods of time and not to wear heavy, dense fabrics in hot weather. If you feel unwell, try to go to a place where there is shade and coolness, drink water, and wet your face and head with cold water.

Children must be carefully monitored, always wear a hat, give them water to drink, and not allow them to play in the sun for long periods of time. Even if you or your child is at risk, only care and caution will determine whether there is a real chance of getting heatstroke. It is very easy to avoid treatment and serious consequences; you just need to follow simple rules. If you were unable to protect yourself, then you should take all possible measures to ensure that the heatstroke lasts as little as possible and does not give you serious reasons for concern.

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The summer sun is not only an ideal solarium and a source of vitamin D, but also the cause of a fairly common disease - overheating, or sunstroke. Moreover, both children and adults can suffer from it.

website publishes important instructions that will help you not to get confused and provide first aid if sunstroke does occur.

Sunstroke

Sunstroke is the result of exposure to direct sunlight on an uncovered head. In this case, only the brain suffers from high temperature, and not the whole body, and you can only get such a blow while walking without a cap under the bright sun.

Symptoms: headache, vomiting, breathing problems and convulsions. Sometimes increased body temperature, nosebleeds and irregular pulse.

Heatstroke

Unlike the sun, you don't have to be in the sun to get heatstroke. It’s enough just to find yourself in a stuffy, poorly ventilated room or drag bags and suitcases in tight-fitting synthetic clothing - the body’s thermoregulation mechanism will be disrupted, and it will no longer cope with the situation.

Symptoms: headache, dizziness, lethargy and fatigue, anxiety, disorientation or confusion. In severe cases, convulsions, loss of consciousness, hallucinations. Possible increased heart rate and high body temperature.

How to distinguish sunstroke from heatstroke?

If the patient walked for several hours under the scorching sun, most likely only the head became overheated. If you were in a stuffy room, you are talking about heat stroke.

What to do?

What else can you do?

  • If you have sunstroke, you need to put a cushion under your head.
  • If it’s thermal, put a cushion under your feet.
  • Do you have any doubts? Do both: then the blood will not rush to the head, and will be distributed more evenly throughout the body, normalizing thermoregulation.

How to prevent it?

  • Wear a hat in the sun.
    A hat, cap or scarf must be white or light in color, otherwise it is practically useless.
  • Use sunscreen on the beach.
    During tanning, your body receives not only a huge dose of ultraviolet radiation and beautifully darkens to a chocolate shade, but also a large amount of heat, which not every body can withstand. Of course, no cream will save you if you lie on the beach for hours, but you shouldn’t neglect jars labeled SPF.
  • Drink more water.
    If you find yourself in a region with a hot climate, your body requires not 2, as usual, but as much as 3 liters of water per day for normal functioning. Therefore, make it a rule to always take a bottle of still water with you.
  • Wear clothes made from natural fabrics.
    Especially if you are going to be in the sun for a long time or lifting heavy objects. Choose cotton and linen shirts for the flight - although they wrinkle, they will prevent your body from overheating from lugging suitcases.
  • Don't eat a lot of fatty foods.
    Remember that when it is digested, it also releases thermal energy, which can overflow the “cup of patience” of your body. Instead of meat and fast food, try to lean on fruits, vegetables and fermented milk products. They are easier to digest and will add water to your heat-dry body.
  • Carry mints with you.
    This little trick will not help against severe overheating, but it will save you if you feel slightly unwell.

Our body maintains an average body temperature through heat exchange. Thanks to sweating, redistribution of blood flow and regulation of breathing rate, we feel great even in the scorching sun. This system can fail if just a few rules are violated:

Drinking sparingly during high ambient temperatures;

Prolonged exposure to the open sun.

In this article we will talk about the difference between heatstroke and sunstroke, and what to do and how to act.

There are risk groups, these include:

Elderly people;

Small children;

Those who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs;

Suffering from obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases;

Those who are forced to work in the open sun or in a stuffy, unventilated room for a long time.

Therefore, if you belong to one or more groups from the list, you simply must always have the opportunity to cool down and drink a lot of clean water.

And now I would like to list the basic rules of behavior in case you are overheated in the sun.

What to do?

First of all, it is necessary to exclude damage to the central nervous system, namely, in this case, you will not be able to help yourself on your own; you will need a specialist.

Severity

Sunstroke

Heatstroke

Headache, general weakness, rapid pulse.

Headache, muscle weakness, nausea, tachycardia.

Fainting, temperature 40 degrees, plus all signs of 1st degree of severity.

Fainting, sweating, plus all symptoms of 1st degree of severity.

Degrees, pale blue skin color, dry skin, hallucinations, delirium, involuntary urination.

Degrees, cramps, shallow breathing, dry skin.

It is worth emphasizing: despite the fact that the symptoms are largely similar, the difference is significant. Heatstroke is a general overheating of the body, and with sunstroke the central nervous system, which is much more dangerous and requires a longer recovery.

Overheating has three degrees of severity, all of which do not require drug treatment. The sooner you start recovery measures, the weaker the severity and consequences will be. It is also noted that if a person may have similar manifestations of certain infectious diseases or poisoning. Consequently, without providing proper assistance, you can greatly aggravate the situation. Be careful, if possible, consult a doctor.

Be especially vigilant if your child is overheated in the sun. The rate of development of dangerous conditions in children is much higher than in adults. Remember the basic rules of behavior at elevated air temperatures. This will save your life.

If you are overheated in the sun, what should you do?

If you feel overheating, you should:

Don't panic;

Go to the shade (cool room) or stand under a cool shower);

Drink water;

Provide yourself with peace of mind.

If children are overheated in the sun, what should they do? The recommendations are the same as for adults. In severe cases, call an ambulance. She won't be redundant.

The summer sun is not only an ideal solarium and a source of vitamin D, but also the cause of a fairly common disease - overheating, or sunstroke. Moreover, both children and adults can suffer from it.

Sunstroke

Sunstroke is the result of exposure to direct sunlight on an uncovered head. In this case, only the brain suffers from high temperature, and not the whole body, and you can only get such a blow while walking without a cap under the bright sun.

Symptoms: headache, vomiting, breathing problems and convulsions. Sometimes increased body temperature, nosebleeds and irregular pulse.
Heatstroke

Unlike the sun, you don't have to be in the sun to get heatstroke. It’s enough just to find yourself in a stuffy, poorly ventilated room or drag bags and suitcases in tight-fitting synthetic clothing - the body’s thermoregulation mechanism will be disrupted, and it will no longer cope with the situation.

Symptoms: headache, dizziness, lethargy and fatigue, anxiety, disorientation or confusion. In severe cases, convulsions, loss of consciousness, hallucinations. Possible increased heart rate and high body temperature.
How to distinguish sunstroke from heatstroke?

If the patient walked for several hours under the scorching sun, most likely only the head became overheated. If you were in a stuffy room, you are talking about heat stroke.

What to do?

What else can you do?

If you have sunstroke, you need to put a cushion under your head.

If it’s thermal, put a cushion under your feet.

Do you have any doubts? Do both: then the blood will not rush to the head, and will be distributed more evenly throughout the body, normalizing thermoregulation.
How to prevent it?

Wear a hat in the sun.

A hat, cap or scarf must be white or light in color, otherwise it is practically useless.

Use sunscreen on the beach.

During tanning, your body receives not only a huge dose of ultraviolet radiation and beautifully darkens to a chocolate shade, but also a large amount of heat, which not every body can withstand. Of course, no cream will save you if you lie on the beach for hours, but you shouldn’t neglect jars labeled SPF.

Drink more water.

If you find yourself in a region with a hot climate, your body requires not 2, as usual, but as much as 3 liters of water per day for normal functioning. Therefore, make it a rule to always take a bottle of still water with you.

Wear clothes made from natural fabrics.

Especially if you are going to be in the sun for a long time or lifting heavy objects. Choose cotton and linen shirts for the flight - although they wrinkle, they will prevent your body from overheating from lugging suitcases.

Don't eat a lot of fatty foods.

Remember that when it is digested, thermal energy is also released, which can overflow the “cup of patience” of your body. Try to eat fruits, vegetables and dairy products instead of meat and fast food. They are easier to digest and will add water to your heat-dry body.
Carry mints with you.

This little trick will not help against severe overheating, but it will save you if you feel slightly unwell.

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