The cause of heat stroke is, as a rule, the prolonged exposure to high temperature on the body of an adult or child. A variation of heat stroke is sun stroke, in which the head and brain are most exposed to significant overheating. But such a nuisance threatens only in the summer, and heat stroke can be obtained at any time of the year in an unventilated room with low humidity and high air temperature. But in general, of course, these phenomena are more common in the summer.
Heat stroke in children, as well as in adults, can be triggered by too dense clothes made from unnatural dark-colored fabrics that do not allow air to pass through well, excessive physical activity, high humidity, overwork, and overeating.
The greatest predisposition to heat stroke is observed in overweight people, as well as in those suffering from chronic kidney disease, the cardiovascular system. Young children overheat very quickly, due to their light weight and not fully established system of thermal regulation. Heat stroke in a child of the first year of life is extremely dangerous, since most often the head and, consequently, the brain overheat. Such an unpleasant phenomenon can overtake a baby even indoors, and half an hour of exposure to direct sunlight will be enough to receive heat stroke on the street.
Heatstroke leads to such unpleasant consequences as a violation of blood circulation, dehydration and malfunctioning of some organs and systems. Elderly people are also strongly advised to avoid overheating, because it can provoke such irreversible phenomena as stroke, heart attack, angina pectoris and ischemic crisis.
What are the main signs of heat stroke?
Consider the symptoms characteristic of children:
· A state of extreme agitation, nausea, vomiting, redness of the face.
· Increased body temperature, up to forty-two degrees Celsius, dry skin, rapid heartbeat.
· Periodic loss of consciousness.
· Frequent shallow breathing.
Violations of the nervous system - delirium, convulsions, hallucinations.
Dizziness and headache.
· Weakness, loss of strength.
How to provide first aid to an injured child?
First of all, it is necessary to eliminate the effect of direct sunlight, putting the child in the shade.
The best position is on the back, with legs slightly raised.
Close clothing should be unfastened or, if possible, removed.
Apply moderately cold compresses to the forehead, armpits, to the subclavian and popliteal areas, as large vessels pass in these places.
To ensure an abundant intake of fluid, you can slightly salted.
If there is a deterioration, it is urgent to call an ambulance, since there is a risk of the child falling into a coma. A severe form of heat stroke is accompanied by a very high temperature (up to 42 ° C), often sudden death occurs. The statistics is sad: every fifth child who receives a severe heat stroke, dies.
How to avoid danger?
In the hot summer season, it is not recommended to go for a walk after eleven o'clock in the afternoon. Heat stroke will not overtake in the shade of trees, where exposure to direct sunlight is minimal. Do not go outside with your head uncovered, especially for children. It is also important to review the diet and not to eat heavy fatty foods in the heat. Make sure that the clothes of your family members are free, light in color, made of light natural materials. The liquid is recommended to be consumed in a volume of one and a half to two times more than in normal times.