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

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Heat stroke is one of three kinds of heat related illnesses.

All heat related illnesses occur when the body overheats to extreme levels.

Heat rash and heat cramps are two kinds of heat related illnesses. These are not as severe as the third kind, heat stroke.

Heat stroke is a form of extremely elevated body temperature which is accompanied by physical and neurological symptoms. Heat stroke is a true medical emergency and can be fatal if treatment is not sought in time.

Our bodies are always giving off heat, through the process of metabolism. The body is generally able to reduce its heat by either sweating or radiating heat.

However, in conditions of extreme temperature, such as high heat, high humidity, or too much exercise in the hot sun, the body is not able to cool down fast enough. As a result, the body’s temperature rises (sometimes reaching 106 degrees Farenheit or higher). As you can imagine, this is a very serious situation.

Heat stroke can also be caused by dehydration, as a person who is low on fluids is not going to be able to produce sweat fast enough to cool the body in extreme conditions.

The elderly and infants are most susceptible to heat stroke, though it can also impact athletes or those who perform heavy labor under the hot sun. People with heart disease, kidney disease, and lung disease may be more susceptible to heat stroke. Certain medications can make you more vulnerable to heat stroke.

A good rule to follow is to limit your exertion when the temperature is high and the humidity is high. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids and give your body a chance to cool down.

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