Heatstroke has ben top of mind for many people not used to the extreme heat, as the UK swelters in another heatwave. Here are the key signs and how to respond.
What is heatstroke?
Heatstroke is a condition caused by your body overheating, usually as a result of prolonged exposure to or physical exertion in high temperatures. As the most serious form of heat injury, it can occur when your body temperature rises to 40C or higher. The condition is most common in the summer months.
How can it affect you?
Untreated heatstroke can quickly damage your brain, heart, kidneys and muscles. The condition requires emergency treatment. The damage worsens the longer treatment is delayed, increasing your risk of serious complications or death.
What are the signs of heatstroke?
The hallmark symptom is a core body temperature above 40C, but fainting may be the first sign.
Other symptoms include:
- High body temperature
- Alteration in sweating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Flushed skin
- Headache
- Rapid breathing
- Racing heart rate
- Altered mental state or behaviour – confusion, agitation, slurred speech, irritability, delirium, seizures and coma can all result from heatstroke
What are the risk factors?
Anyone can develop heatstroke, but several factors include:
- Age
- Exertion in hot weather
- Sudden exposure to hot weather
- A lack of air conditioning
- Certain chronic health conditions, such as heart or lung disease
How to prevent it?
To help prevent heat exhaustion the NHS advises to:
- drink more cold drinks
- wear light-coloured, loose clothing
- avoid the sun between 11am and 3pm
- avoid excess alcohol
- avoid extreme exercise
- close curtains and windows and turn off electrical equipment and lights that get hot
When to see a doctor?
If you think a person may be experiencing heatstroke, seek immediate medical help by calling 999.
For advice contact 111 or get help from 111 online.
