Overheating is an acute pathological condition of a person, manifested as a result of the prolonged influence of high temperature on his body. The development of a painful phenomenon is facilitated by being in the open rays of the sun or in a hot room for a long time. Also, the risk of overheating increases the non-compliance with the drinking regime, high physical activity in hot weather, too warm clothes and overwork.
At risk are the elderly, children, as well as those who suffer from various kinds of diseases of the cardiovascular system, endocrine sphere and having obesity. First aid for overheating is extremely important, since the condition provokes impaired functional functioning of the cardiovascular and central nervous system.
Signs of overheating in adults
As soon as manifestations of overheating of the body become visible, first aid should be provided immediately. The main symptoms of a pathological phenomenon include:
- sharp weakness;
- severe headache;
- nausea and vomiting;
- black dots in front of the eyes, blurred and darkened eyes;
- feeling of heat;
- abdominal pain;
- nosebleeds;
- increase in respiratory rate and heart rate;
- hot and dry skin;
- an increase in body temperature often up to 40-42 degrees.
Also, in a person as a result of overheating, convulsions, delusions, hallucinations, up to loss of consciousness, can begin. The fulminant form of heat stroke is rare and is manifested by a sudden loss of consciousness of a person without prior manifestation of the above symptoms.
In some cases, in the absence of help, death may occur as a result of cerebral edema.
Symptoms of a child overheating
To be ready to provide first aid for overheating, a child needs not only when he is in the open sun. Often parents wrap up the baby too warmly, thereby provoking an increase in the temperature of his body. The skin cannot breathe, which causes a painful condition.
The main signs that indicate that the child is overheated are:
- The baby stops sweating. If the children sweat all the time in the sun, this is normal, because this is how the body cools.
- Dizziness and weakness. A sluggish child who is trying to lie down and rest, baby that asks for a walk while walking on the street, whimpers - all this can indicate overheating.
- An increase in body temperature. Sometimes the indicator can reach 40 degrees. For overheating, some children need to run all day under the hot sun, and some will have 10 minutes. Therefore, you need to carefully monitor the condition of the kids and dress them according to the weather.
- Cramps and fainting. Seizures can develop very quickly if neurological complications occur. In this case, you can not do without medical assistance.
First aid
When overheating, first aid should take place in the following order:
- First, you should wrap the person with a sheet soaked in water. If not, any towel will do. You can also wet the clothes the victim is wearing. Manipulation will help to quickly and effectively lower the temperature.
- When the temperature drops, and consciousness clears up, a person needs to be given a drink of cool water.
- It is necessary to show the injured doctor the same day to make sure that his health is no longer in danger.
Help with cramps due to overheating
Sometimes, victims may experience cramps, which also require first aid after overheating. These are painful muscle contractions that suddenly occur in the legs or (rarely) in the stomach. Convulsions can occur after several hours of finding and active physical work in the heat and severe sweating of a person. Sometimes the reason lies in the fact that a person consumed liquids in which there are no salts.
To alleviate cramps, you need to move the patient to a cool room, where to sit or lay him, carefully straightening his leg. Then give him a drink of cold water, preferably slightly salted. In no case should saline tablets be given to the victim, as they can irritate the stomach and provoke vomiting. It is necessary to gently rub and massage the reduced muscle, thereby trying to eliminate the cramp and relieve pain.
What can not be done when the body overheats
First aid for overheating is extremely important, therefore, it is necessary to provide it correctly, without making mistakes. So, it is forbidden to dip the victim into the bathroom with ice water, give him drink too cold water or cover his body with ice. Such manipulations can cause painful cramps. It is also strictly forbidden to give a person drink alcoholic beverages and liquids containing caffeine.
In addition, you can not:
- Close the victim in a stuffy room. On the contrary, it is necessary to ensure the supply of oxygen by opening windows and doors.
- Try to make up for the lack of fluid with tonics, beer and other alcohol. Such first aid for overheating will only worsen the condition.
Prevention of overheating of the human body
In hot weather, overheating can be avoided by observing the following list of recommendations:
- Drink as much water as possible. Every day, especially in the hot season, you need to drink a minimum of one and a half to two liters of liquid - pure water and a small amount of weak green tea.
- Minimize the use of meat food in the summer.
- Try to reduce the amount of consumption of alcohol-containing, carbonated, sugary drinks.
- Try to eliminate fatty foods from the diet during a hot period.
- To dress in the summer in light, light clothes made of their natural fabrics - linen, cotton.
- Wear a hat, preferably with wide brim and light shades.
- Women try to apply as little cosmetics as possible.
- Trying to be less in the open sun, and staying in the open rays from 12 to 3 pm is better to completely exclude.
- Avoid stress and excessive physical exertion.
First aid for overheating can not always be provided by a doctor in a timely manner, so before his arrival you need to know how to behave in a critical situation. Observing the above recommendations, it will be possible to avoid the unpleasant consequences of the pathological condition.