Heat stroke is life threatening; and if immediate medical cover is not provided to the victim, death can occur, in case body temperature of victim rises above 100 degrees F.
This was stated by President Pakistan Society of Family Physicians (PSFP), Dr Sheikh Aftab Iqbal, while talking to Business Recorder here on Thursday.
'If any person suffers heat stroke, he may become confused, combative, behave bizarrely, feel faint, while skin turns dry and hot', he said.
According to him, elderly and disabled people and those with chronic health conditions such as vascular disease or diabetes, the weather does not have to hit 100 degrees to cause heat stress or even deadly heat stroke. Older skin also thins and offers less protection from the sun. Heart, lung and kidney diseases, and high blood pressure increase the risk for heat-related illness. Being overweight or underweight also increases risk for heat-related illness.
Elaborating he said that heat stroke is a form of hyperthermia (abnormally elevated body temperature) with accompanying physical and neurological symptoms. Unlike heat cramps and heat exhaustion, two less-severe forms of hyperthermia, heat stroke is a true medical emergency that can be fatal if not properly and promptly treated.
According to him, the body normally generates heat as a result of metabolism, and the body is usually able to dissipate the heat by either radiation of heat through the skin or by evaporation of sweat. However, in extreme heat, high humidity, or vigorous exertion under the sun, the body may not be able to dissipate the heat and the body temperature rises, sometimes up to 106 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
He further said that another cause of heat stroke is dehydration. A dehydrated person may not be able to sweat fast enough to dissipate heat, which causes the body temperature to rise.
He said the victims of heat stroke must receive immediate treatment to avoid permanent organ damage. First and foremost, cool the victim. Get the victim to a shady area, remove clothing, apply cool or tepid water to the skin, fan the victim to promote sweating and evaporation, place ice packs under armpits and groins.
Dr Aftab Iqbal further said that medications taken for a variety of diseases and symptoms can also interfere with one's ability to manage hotter weather. These medications include anti-psychotic drugs commonly given to Alzheimer's patients to control agitation, anti-cholinergic drugs, tranquillisers, sedatives, amphetamines, diuretics and drugs to control blood pressure, antihistamines, and some anti-depressants.
He said that a person with cognitive impairment, whether from disease or injury may not be able to communicate distress. In some cases, they may not even "feel" the heat or discomfort because of changes in the brain's abilities to process sensory information or regulate their body's responses to heat.
He advised the people to wear light-weight, light-coloured, loose-fitting preferably of natural fabrics like cotton clothes and also use hats and umbrellas while moving in the open sky. He also advised the people to take plenty of water and fruit or vegetable juices even if they say they're not thirsty. People must avoid heavy meals and don't use the oven in hot weather conditions.
He said that headache; nausea and fatigue are signs of heat stress.
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