How to prevent heat stroke in hot weather

Heat stroke is a physical illness caused by high temperatures. Its symptoms are mainly divided into three types:

1. Premonitory heat stroke: In a high temperature environment, you will feel headache, dizziness, thirst, sweating, weakness and soreness in the limbs, and difficulty concentrating. The body temperature may be normal or slightly elevated, but generally will not exceed 37.5℃.

2. Mild heat stroke: If the symptoms of heat stroke are not relieved in time and you continue to be exposed to high temperatures, your body temperature will rise to above 38.5°C. In addition to the above symptoms, you may also experience flushing, chest tightness, burning skin, nausea, vomiting, and decreased blood pressure.

3. Severe heat stroke: This is the most serious condition. If not treated in time, it may be life-threatening. Severe heat stroke can be divided into four types:

(1) Heat cramps: usually caused by excessive sweating and insufficient salt replenishment, manifested as sudden paroxysmal muscle cramps and pain.

(2) Heat exhaustion: common in the elderly and those who cannot adapt to high temperatures. The main symptoms are dizziness, headache, palpitations, thirst, nausea, vomiting, cold and clammy skin, and low blood pressure.

(3) Sunstroke: Direct exposure to the scorching sun can cause damage to brain cells, resulting in symptoms such as severe headaches, nausea and vomiting, irritability, and even coma and convulsions.

(4) Heat stroke: People who engage in physical labor under high temperatures for a long time may experience a sharp rise in body temperature, with a lot of cold sweat in the early stage, followed by no sweat, shallow and rapid breathing, confusion, etc. In severe cases, cerebral edema, pulmonary edema, heart failure, etc. may occur.

To prevent heat stroke, we can take the following measures:

1. Rehydrate: Increase your water intake and don't wait until you are thirsty to drink water. In addition to boiled water, you can also drink light salt water, sports drinks, etc. in moderation.
2. Time your activities appropriately: Try to avoid strenuous outdoor activities during hot weather periods (usually noon to 4 p.m.).
3. Dress appropriately: Choose light, breathable, light-colored clothing to help dissipate heat.
4. Pay attention to your diet: Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables to supplement vitamins and minerals. Avoid greasy, spicy and high-calorie foods.
5. Control indoor temperature: If you are indoors, use air conditioners, fans and other equipment to adjust the temperature to a suitable range.
6. Take good care of the sun: Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and apply sunscreen when going outdoors.
7. Slow down: When exercising in hot weather, try to move slowly to avoid overexertion.
8. Carry anti-heatstroke medicines with you, such as Huoxiang Zhengqi water, cooling oil, etc., in case of emergency.

In short, understanding the symptoms of heat stroke and taking appropriate preventive measures can help us avoid or reduce the harm of heat stroke.

After suffering from heat stroke, timely treatment should be carried out: Move the patient to a ventilated, cool, and dry place, unbutton clothes, take off or loosen clothes, and change into dry clothes to dissipate heat as soon as possible. Use physical cooling methods, such as cold water or alcohol baths, placing ice packs on the head, armpits, groin, etc., and use electric fans to enhance heat dissipation, so that the body temperature drops to below 38°C as soon as possible. If the patient has muscle cramps or vomiting, appropriate measures should be taken to prevent the patient from hurting himself and ensure that the airway is unobstructed. For patients with severe heat stroke, if symptoms such as high fever, cramps, convulsions, and shock have occurred, seek medical attention immediately and receive professional first aid. Please note that heat stroke is an acute traumatic disease and severe heat stroke can be life-threatening.

Therefore, it is crucial to prevent heat stroke and treat heat stroke symptoms promptly.