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The killer heat waves rattled normal life in Orissa. With each passing day, the heat waves cumulate woes of the people, as the Mercury continues to touch above 45-degree resulting death in many parts in the states. According to the unofficial report, the killer heat stroke or sunstroke has claimed more than 25 lives so far in the state.
As the heat stroke or what we calls sun stroke is thick in the air many questions like what this sunstroke is all about and how to get rid of this problem comes to mind.
Here are a few simple and cool tips that can help you to keep the sun stroke at bay this summer.
What is Sun Stroke?
It is an acute condition, which occurs due to prolonged exposure to extreme heat, usually during the harsh summer days. The body temperature becomes so high that the temperature fails to return to normal, due to failure of heat regulatory system leading to damage to important organs of the body.
Sunstroke is so named because of the loss of Body salt and fluid and increasing heat in presence of scorching sun.
When body temperature increases, blood from the heart is transferred to the skin to cool it off, by producing sweat and breathing out warmed air.
When the blood temperature goes above normal, the thermo-regulatory system is activated leading to increased blood flow to the skin. By this the temperature from the blood is passed on to the air surrounding the body, but in condition when the air temperature is higher the blood may not cool down and it leads to an increase in the core body temperature leading to heat exhaustion or sun stroke.
Cause of Sunstroke
The primary cause of sunstroke is loss of Sodium and Chloride (constituents of salt), rather than the amount of water.
Who is at risk of Sunstroke?
1 Small children
2 Old Men and Women
3 People with Heart Disease
4 People with Malnutrition
5 Alcoholic Abusers (Drunkards)
6 Diabetics
7 People on Medications
Features/ Symptoms of Sunstroke?
1 Hot and Dry Skin
2 No Sweating
3 Flushed, pale or purple skin
4 Rapid shallow breathing
5 Rapid pulse
6 Body temperature higher than 41 degree C
7 Headache
8 Muscle cramps
9 Dilated Pupils
10 Incoherent speech, disorientation, aggressive speech or behaviour
11 Lethargy
12 Convulsions
13 Loss of consciousness
14 Nausea and Vomitting
How to manage Sunstroke?
It is a medical emergency except in severe cases. If the body temperature is higher but below 41 Degrees, then simple cooling of the body, by vigorous fanning, making cold-water baths, etc can lower the body temperature, so in the first stage the clothes of the victim can be removed and cold water bath can be given with fanning. Using wet towels and sheets are also sufficient.
If available place ice packs near the neck, armpit and groin.
After the primary treatment, the person sould be shifted to a cool place, usually hospital ward or a shadow place. Elevate the feet end of the person to facilitate the flow of blood to the brain then massage the extremities (arms and legs) to encourage the return of cool blood to the brain and the core of the body.
Hospital care of Sunstroke
In Hospitals, better temperature regulation can be done with instruments and Air conditioners used. Intra-venous fluids can be given to replace the fluid and electrolyte balance of the body.
After hospitalisation the patient should take rest for at least 24 hours.
How to Prevent Sunstroke?
1 Drink Plenty of fluid during summer
2 Use umbrellas when going out in the sun
3 Don't go out in the sun
4 Wear Hats and caps
5 Use light-coloured, light-weight, loose fitting cloths in summer, cotton being the best cloth
6 Improve indoor air circulation by opening windows and fans
7 Avoid alcohol and smoking cigarettes
8 Eat light and small meals
9 Avoid vigorous exercise and activity during hot and humid weather
10 Use available food materials with more fluid like the Watery rice (Pakhala), Coconut water, Sugarcane juice, Dal, Sugar (Mishri) water, Water melon, cucumber etc. are a good source of water for body.
When to visit a health center?
When the body temperature is higher than 41 Degrees and the person shows any of the signs of Sun Stroke.
The Author is Maternal and Child Health Specialist. He is also Senior-Faculty cum Medical Officer at
Roland Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
Berhampur. He can be contacted at jyotiprasad@rediffmail.com
