Sunstroke is a form of heatstroke that occurs when exposed to sunlight. It can be provoked by prolonged exposure to the scorching sun (work, walking, playing sports). In this case, there is a feeling of weakness, drowsiness and lethargy, headache, nausea, dizziness, a sharp increase in body temperature, impaired heart function, an increase or decrease in blood pressure. For the treatment and elimination of symptoms, conservative therapy is used - the victim must be cooled and protected from direct sunlight, as well as given with plain water. However, in severe cases, emergency medical attention may be required.
Description of this lesion
Sunstroke is a malfunction of the brain caused by severe overheating of the head under direct sunlight. It differs from thermal in that it causes it to overheat only the head, and not the whole body. That is why it is possible to suffer from it even at a low air temperature, but while being under the scorching sun. Sun damage can develop at any age and regardless of gender. The greatest danger is an ailment for children, the elderly, and patients suffering from some chronic ailments.
What is dangerous?
Sunstroke leads to impaired sweating and blood circulation (including brain) due to vasodilation, as well as a lack of oxygen in the tissues. The nervous and cardiovascular systems suffer more than others from overheating, cardiac arrest, coma, and even death are possible. That is why it is very important to timely recognize the defeat and provide the necessary assistance with both heat and sunstroke.
Development reasons
The disease is caused by direct exposure to sunlight when the sun is at its zenith. At this time, the rays are minimally scattered and fall almost at right angles to the surface of the earth. The direct causes of sunstroke are most often work, active physical exercise and outdoor recreation in sunny weather, being on the beach at lunch time (from 10 to 15 hours). The risk of damage increases in stuffy calm weather, in the absence of a hat, non-compliance with the drinking regimen, taking vasodilator drugs and drinking alcohol, overeating. Patients suffering from hypertension, VVD, diseases of the cardiovascular system, and overweight are more susceptible to the development of pathology.
First aid for sunstroke is very important. About it further.
How does pathology arise?
Under the influence of direct sunlight falling on the head, a strong increase in the temperature of the brain occurs. This provokes swelling of the membranes. In this case, blood pressure rises, the vessels of the brain expand, ruptures of small vessels can occur. The normal functioning of the vital centers responsible for respiratory and cardiac activity is hindered. Against this background, both acute and delayed pathological changes can develop. Signs of sunstroke need to be determined in a timely manner.
With severe lesions
In severe lesions, the risk of developing asphyxia, acute heart failure, heart attack, and extensive cerebral hemorrhage is high. After some time, serious disturbances in the functioning of the brain, in particular sensory, conduction and reflex functions, may appear. Also among the delayed effects are headaches, impaired coordination, neurological problems, diseases of the cardiovascular system, and visual impairment.
Symptoms of Sunstroke
Symptoms of the pathology and its severity are directly related to the length of stay under the scorching sun, light intensity, age and state of health of the victim. Common signs of damage are weakness, dizziness, shortness of breath, dry mouth and thirst, increased headache, lethargy and drowsiness. Ophthalmic manifestations are also possible, for example, double vision or flickering of "flies" in the eyes, darkening, inability to focus the eye. Increases temperature, redness of the face. Blood pressure may rise or, conversely, drop, which is accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Without the necessary assistance, the condition can significantly worsen, including loss of consciousness and coma.
Degree of ailment
Depending on the severity of symptoms, there are three degrees of severity of sunstroke.
- A mild degree is characterized by general weakness, headache, nausea, tachycardia, rapid breathing, and dilated pupils.
- The average degree is characterized by increasing headache, shaky gait, rapid breathing and heart rate, nausea and vomiting, impaired coordination of movements, severe muscle weakness and lethargy. It is also possible bleeding from the nose and loss of consciousness, while the body temperature is very high (38-40 degrees).
- With the most dangerous - severe - degree of sunstroke, a sudden change in consciousness occurs, hallucinations, tonic and clonic convulsions, uncontrolled urination, fever up to 41-42 degrees, coma.
It is especially important to notice in a timely manner the characteristic signs of overheating in a child. Symptoms of heat and sunstroke in young children may differ from the usual manifestations of pathology in an adult, which is explained by the underdevelopment of the thermoregulation system, weak protective functions and increased sensitivity of the scalp to thermal effects. Most often, children experience sudden drowsiness and lethargy, less often irritability. Perspiration is noticeable on the face, the child often yawns, nausea and vomiting occur, the temperature rises rapidly. In case of serious damage, fainting, cardiac dysfunction and respiratory arrest are possible.
First Aid for Sunstroke
The first thing that needs to be done to help the victim is to take him away (or in case of loss of consciousness) to transfer him to a cool, shady place with a good flow of air and lay him down. The victim’s head should be turned sideways, especially if nausea and vomiting are present. This is necessary so that a person does not choke on his own vomit. Compresses moistened with cool water should be applied to the face and neck. It is also possible to spray the victim with water for cooling. You can not use too cold water and ice for this, since a sharp temperature drop is dangerous for the body and can trigger vasospasm.
A person who is conscious can be abundantly watered with salted water to replenish the water-electrolyte balance. Non-carbonated mineral water is well suited for this purpose. In case of fainting, a cotton swab moistened with ammonia is used. If there is no improvement, you need to call an ambulance as soon as possible.
In case of sunstroke in a child, an elderly person or suffering from severe chronic diseases, it is necessary to immediately call an ambulance. Even if the condition of the victim returned to normal.
What is the treatment for sunstroke?
Medical treatment
Professional medical care is needed primarily to restore the vital functions of the body. Artificial respiration may be required. To normalize the water-salt balance, intravenous injection of a solution of sodium chloride is used. In case of heart failure and suffocation, subcutaneous administration of caffeine is required. Medications are used to lower blood pressure. In the case of severe lesions and severe symptoms, hospitalization is necessary with a full range of resuscitation, including intubation of the lungs, intravenous injection, stimulation of cardiac activity.
See a doctor
After suffering a sunstroke, even of a mild degree, you should consult a doctor to timely detect possible dangerous consequences and exclude the latent course of chronic ailments that could provoke the development of such a pathology. In the next few days, one should limit being in the heat, especially in cloudless weather, reduce physical activity, otherwise the risk of a re-occurrence of sun or heat stroke increases. Compliance with rest and bed rest, which will allow the body to normalize the functioning of the nervous and cardiovascular systems and restore blood counts.
Prevention
Preventive measures depend on the state of human health, his age, weather conditions and many other factors. There are general recommendations, observing which can significantly reduce the risk of developing sunstroke. Staying outdoors in sunny weather, you need to protect your head from direct sunlight with a hat, panama hat or scarf in bright colors. It is also recommended to wear light clothing made from natural fabrics (such as cotton or linen). Do not go out in the sun during its most activity, that is, from 10 to 16 hours.
If you still need to stay in the sun, you need to periodically rest and "cool" in the shade, drink a sufficient amount of liquid (at least one glass every hour). Simple clean water or unsalted mineral water is best suited to quench your thirst.
But it is better to refuse sweet carbonated drinks and packaged juices, as well as coffee, strong tea and alcohol. It is also important to monitor the amount of food, as overeating in the heat additionally loads the body. It is advisable to take a cool shower on a hot day, or at least moisten your face and hands with water.
We examined first aid for heat and sunstroke.