It is 35oc in Sokoto where I am currently and it looks like it i am going to overheat. The time is 8PM, so I was thinking the temperature would be a little colder but it looks like this isn't going to happen anytime soon. People are using their air conditioners, others are taking their bath continuously like they are about to set a new record on bathing.
This entire scenario got me thinking about Stroke and Heat. Oh! I wrote it in opposite ways, I mean heat stroke. Before you start to think of the typical stroke that you know, a heat stroke is nothing like that. Heat stroke is simply the body over heating, as a result of the hypothalamus being overwhelmed and isn't able to control the body's thermostat.
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When the body keeps running temperature to a point where it reaches 104.5 oc, then the body begins a heat stroke as the organs starts to shut down one after another. This makes heat stroke a medical emergency as a person can die within a short period of time if there are no intervention.
People who are about to have a heat stroke usually have a flushed skin and increased skin temperature as their body would be hotter than normal. In this case, a thermometer can be used to check the temperature of the person. The skin could be completely dry or drenched in sweat. People who experience heat stroke usually experience confusion, followed by agitation, slurred speech, and irritation. When the heat becomes really extreme, patients can experience seizures, and could become unresponsive.
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Patients who suffer from heat stroke often feel nausea, and they vomit but this isn't going to stop them from breathing really fast and very shallow. This is accompanied by increased heart rate and pulse which can usually double. This is because the heart is trying to get heat out of its body and so would pump hard and fast but while doing so, it stop pumping properly as it would not be able to pump enough blood to the body. In cases where the kidney has been affected, urinating becomes impossible and that means that the kidneys are shutting down.
With heat stroke, a person can die in less than 15 min so it is important to get the person medical help, but while you wait for help, you can start by removing any clothing on the person, cooling them with means such as a bath tub, spraying water on them, and in cases where they are not vomiting, giving them cold water would help them become calm.
- Heat stroke is a grave condition that demands immediate attention. Understanding its symptoms and risk factors, along with taking preventive measures, can help mitigate its potentially life-threatening consequences. Stay cool, stay hydrated, and be mindful of the signs of heat-related illnesses, especially during periods of extreme heat.*
Reference
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/heatrelillness.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537135/
https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/warning.html
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/conditions/heat-exhaustion-and-heatstroke
https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat-illness
