Heatstroke is a condition caused by your body overheating, usually as a result of prolonged exposure to or physical exertion in high temperatures. This most serious form of heat injury, heatstroke, can occur if your body temperature rises to 104 F (40 C) or higher. The condition is most common in the summer months.
▪️The signs of heat exhaustion include:-
🔹a headache
🔹dizziness and confusion
🔹loss of appetite and feeling sick
🔹excessive sweating and pale, clammy skin
🔹cramps in the arms, legs and stomach
🔹fast breathing or pulse
🔹a high temperature of 38C or above
🔹being very thirsty
▪️Safety Remedy :-
🔹As far as possible do not go out in the hot sun.
🔹Drink water as often as possible, even if you do not feel thirsty, drink water. Always carry drinking water with you while traveling.
🔹Wear light-colored loose-fitting cotton clothes whenever you go out in the sun.
🔹Wear sunglasses. Cover your head with a scarf or hat and always wear slippers or shoes.
🔹Do not work hard in high temperatures. Avoid the sun between 11am and 3pm.
🔹Eat light food, eat fruits with high water content like watermelon, cucumber, lemon, orange etc.
🔹Homemade beverages such as lassi, salt-sugar solution, buttermilk, lemon-water, etc should be consumed regularly.
🔹Do not leave children alone in closed vehicles.
🔹Keep the animals in the shade and give them plenty of water to drink.
🔹Keep windows open at night.
🔹Be alert to local weather forecasts and upcoming temperature changes.
🔹If you do not feel well or feel dizzy, contact the doctor immediately.
🔹sprinkle water over skin or clothes.
🔹Avoid excess alcohol.
🔹Avoid extreme exercise. This will also prevent dehydration and help your body keep itself cool.
🔹Keep an eye on children, the elderly and people with long-term health conditions (like diabetes or heart problems) because they’re more at risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
▪️What to do in case of heatstroke :-
🔹Put the person suffering from heatstroke in the shade. If there are tight clothes, loosen or remove them.
Wipe the body with a cool wet cloth or take a bath with cold water.
🔹Give the person ORS / lemon / water / salt-sugar solution to drink which can increase the amount of water in the body.
🔹If the person vomits water or is unconscious, do not give him or her anything to eat or drink.
🔹Stay with them until they’re better.
🔹They should start to cool down and feel better within 30 minutes.
🔹If the condition of the affected person does not improve for an hour, then immediately take him to the nearest health center.
🔹Use coolers, fans, etc. to reduce body temperature.
🔹Keep the wet and cold cloth on the neck, abdomen and head.
🔹Raise the level of legs slightly above the body.
▪️Call helpline numbers if :-
🔹You or someone else have any signs of heatstroke:-
🔹feeling unwell after 30 minutes of resting in a cool place and drinking plenty of water
🔹not sweating even while feeling too hot
🔹a high temperature of 40C or above
🔹fast breathing or shortness of breath
🔹feeling confused
🔹a fit (seizure)
🔹loss of consciousness
🔹not responsive
🔹Heatstroke can be very serious if not treated quickly.
🔹Put the person in the recovery position if they lose consciousness while you’re waiting for help.
