Heatstroke. What is it and how to avoid it?

The cause of heat stroke is, as a rule, a prolonged exposure to high temperature on the body of an adult or child. A kind of heat stroke is a sunstroke, in which the head and the brain are exposed to a significant overheating. But such a danger threatens only in the summer, and a heat stroke can be obtained at any time of the year in an unventilated room with low humidity and high air temperature. But in general, of course, these phenomena are more common in the summer.

Heat stroke in children, as well as in adults, can be provoked by too dense clothing from dark-colored artificial fabrics, poorly air-permeable, excessive physical activity, high humidity, overfatigue, overeating.

The greatest predisposition to heat shock is observed in people with excess weight, as well as those suffering from chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular system. Very quickly, small children overheat, due to their small weight and not to the end of the established system of thermal regulation. Heat stroke in a child of the first year of life is extremely dangerous, since the head and, consequently, the brain, overheats more often. Such an unpleasant phenomenon can overtake the baby even in the room, and half an hour of exposure to direct sunlight will be enough to get a heat stroke in the street.

Heatstroke Leads to such unpleasant consequences as a violation of blood circulation, dehydration of the body and malfunctioning of certain organs and systems. Elderly people are also strongly advised to avoid overheating, because it can provoke such irreversible phenomena as stroke, heart attack, angina pectoris and ischemic crisis.

What are the main signs of a heat stroke?

Consider the symptoms characteristic of children:

· State of extreme excitement, nausea, vomiting, redness of face.

Elevated body temperature, up to forty-two degrees Celsius, dry skin, palpitations.

· Periodic loss of consciousness.

Frequent shallow breathing.

· Violations from the nervous system - nonsense, convulsions, hallucinations.

· Dizziness and headache.

· Weakenedness, loss of strength.

How to provide first aid to the child?

First of all, it is necessary to eliminate the effect of direct sunlight, putting the child in the shade.

The best position is on the back, with slightly raised legs.

Tight clothes should be undone or, if possible, removed.

Apply moderately cold compresses on the forehead, armpits, subclavian and popliteal areas, since it is in these places that large vessels pass.

Provide abundant intake of liquid, you can slightly salted.

In the event that there is a worsening of the condition, it is urgent to call an ambulance, since there is a risk of a child falling into a coma. A severe form of heat stroke is accompanied by a very high temperature (up to 42 ° C), often sudden death occurs. The statistics are sad: every fifth child who suffers a severe heat stroke dies.

How to avoid danger?

It is not recommended to go out for a walk after eleven o'clock in the hot summer. Heat shock will not overtake in the shade of trees, where direct sunlight exposure is minimal. Do not go out with your head uncovered, especially children. It is also important to revise the diet and not to eat heavy fatty foods in the heat. Take care that the clothes of your family members are free, light color, made of light natural materials. The liquid is recommended to be consumed in a volume of one and a half to two times more than in the usual time.