Page 14 - 2021 - Q3 - Minerva in Focus

HEALTH & WELL BEING How to deal

with heatstroke

When your body overheats, usually due Symptoms of heat injury
to prolonged exposure to/physical ex-
ertion in high temperatures, you might Symptoms you should look out for are:
suffer a heat injury. Two important • high body temperature
types of heat injury are heat exhaus- • headache
tion and heatstroke. Most of the time, • nausea
heat exhaustion is not serious. Howev- • dizziness, confusion, or both
er, emergency medical treatment is re- • vomiting or diarrhea
quired if the body temperature exceeds • excessive sweating and pale/clammy skin
40°C and the heat injury turns into a • muscle cramps
heatstroke. • fast breathing and increased heart rate
• being very thirsty

Symptoms of heatstroke

If the following symptoms occur, it probably means that heat exhaustion has turned into
heatstroke, and urgent medical care should be provided. Look out for:
• body temperature over 40°C
• loss of consciousness
• delirium
• slurred speech or not responsive
• a seizure
• no sweating/dry skin
• hot red skin
• rapid heart rate
• still feeling unwell after 30 minutes of resting in a cool place and drinking
plenty of fluids

What to do

1. Move to a cool place, preferably air-conditioned
2. Remove excessive clothes or equipment
3. Lie down with legs up, propped at your heart level
4. If conscious, drink water or a sports drink but no alcohol
5. Try to cool down by taking a cool shower or using cool compresses
6. Do not take any medication like paracetamol to reduce the high temperature
of the body. Not only will it not be of any help, but it might also actually be harmful
7. Act quickly to avoid the progression of heat exhaustion to heatstroke
8. In the case of heatstroke, avoid giving fluids and seek medical attention right away

Prevention

1. Drink plenty of fluids even if you are not thirsty
An overview by 2. Wear lightweight, light-colored, and loose-fitting clothes
Konstantinos Giannakopoulos 3. Avoid prolonged sun exposure at the hottest periods of the day
4.
If your job requires physical exertion in high temperatures, take regular rest breaks
MD 5. Avoid drinking alcohol as it might cause dehydration

12 MINERVA IN FOCUS – ISSUE 17 / Q3 2021