Heat stroke is the most serious of all heat related illnesses.

It is the only one that can lead to death if proper treatment is not obtained.

The elderly and infants are very susceptible to heat stroke symptoms, as are those who have any kind of metabolic, cardiac, or pulmonary disorders.

Here are some tips for treating heat stroke:

How do you treat a heat stroke victim?

People who are suffering from heat stroke will complain of high body temperature. They are likely to look flushed and red, but are not sweating. In extreme cases, they may be breathing rapidly, pulling at their clothes, and complaining of discomfort. In severe cases, they may have seizures or go into a coma.

Heat stroke must be treated immediately to prevent permanent organ damage. After calling 911, the next step is to cool the victim. Get him or her to a shady or covered area, loosen clothing, and apply cool water to the skin. Spray gently with a garden hose if one is near by. Place ice packs around the trunk of the body- such as in the arm pits and in the groin. Promote air flow to boost the victim’s ability to sweat, which can cool the body.

Keep up with these efforts until the body temperature drops to 101-102 degrees. You’ll need a thermometer to measure this.

To avoid getting heat stroke in the first place, there are some wise precautions you can take:

Wear light colored clothing
Avoid exerting yourself in the sun
Drink plenty of fluids

Tags: Be Sun Smart

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