A worker in Zhejiang died of multiple organ failure due to heat stroke. Be careful! Heat stroke can really kill people

Cases of heat stroke have occurred in many areas this year, and some people have died from it. So far, Zhejiang has issued 51 red warnings for high temperatures, breaking the historical record. The news #A worker in Zhejiang died of multiple organ failure due to heat stroke# also became a hot search.

A 49-year-old male patient was sent to the hospital by a coworker on the afternoon of July 6. He suddenly fainted while working in the workshop. When he was admitted to the hospital, his body temperature was 40.7℃ and he was in shock. He suffered from multiple organ failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation. After 31 hours of rescue, he died in the early morning of the 8th.

Many people may not know about heat stroke, let alone that this disease can actually cause death, and the mortality rate is very high.

What exactly is heat stroke? How is it different from heat stroke? How can we prevent it in daily life?

1. What is heat stroke?

What we usually talk about most is the prevention of "heatstroke". Heatstroke is a series of physiological function changes in the human body's temperature regulation, water and salt metabolism, circulatory system, digestive system, nervous system, urinary system, etc. caused by high temperature, which leads to disorders in normal physiological functions and abnormally high body temperature.

Heat stroke can be understood as severe heatstroke. It is a serious and fatal disease caused by heat damage to the body. It has a high mortality rate and is more common in military training and sports competitions. It is divided into classic heat stroke (CHS) and exertional heat stroke (EHS). [1]

The mortality rate after suffering from heat stroke is very high. According to limited survey data from abroad, the incidence of CHS during summer heat waves is (17.6~26.5)/100,000, the hospital mortality rate is 14%~65%, and the mortality rate of ICU patients is >60%; the proportion of EHS in patients with exertional heat-induced illness is 8.6%~18%, and the mortality rate is >30% when combined with hypotension. [2]

In other words: for people who are only passively exposed to a hot environment without engaging in high-intensity physical activity, if they suffer from severe heat stroke, only 4 out of 10 people may survive.

The main symptom of heat stroke is a rise in body temperature, which can generally reach 40-42°C. The normal body temperature of a person is around 36-37°C, but the temperature varies depending on the part of the body where it is measured.

The normal temperature of the oral cavity is: 35.5~37.5℃

The normal temperature of the armpit is: 34.7~37.3℃

The normal temperature of the forehead is: 35.8~37℃

The normal temperature of the cochlea is: 35.8~37.5℃

The normal temperature of the anus is: 36.6~38℃

Heat stroke patients will have fever and will also experience nausea, vomiting, fainting, diarrhea, confusion, and in severe cases, heart failure, kidney failure, rhabdomyolysis and even death.

2. What should I do if someone suffers from heat stroke?

First, call 120 to call an ambulance. While waiting for treatment, do not give the patient water to prevent the patient from involuntary convulsions, which may cause choking and affect breathing. You can do the following: [1]

① First, drag the person to a cool place: preferably an air-conditioned room with the temperature set to 16-20℃

② Measure the patient's temperature: It is best to measure the rectal temperature, inserting it at least 15 cm deep.

③ Help the patient cool down: Some studies have shown that if the core temperature can be lowered to below 40.0℃ within 30 minutes, death may not occur.

You can use a spray bottle filled with cool water to spray your skin to cool down; you can also wipe your body with a wet towel and fan it with a fan to help cool down; or you can wipe it with diluted alcohol and let the alcohol evaporate to take away the temperature; you can also use an electronic ice blanket or ice cap.

At this time, the ambulance should have arrived, and the rest will be left to the medical staff.

3. How to prevent heat stroke/heat stroke?

Although heat stroke has a high mortality rate, it is preventable. The most effective preventive measure is to prevent heat stroke, avoid prolonged exposure to high temperatures, and pay attention to hydration and ventilation. In terms of preventing heat stroke, the following six points are recommended:[3]

① Drink enough water:

The Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents recommends drinking 1,500 to 1,700 milliliters of water a day, and drinking slowly and in small sips. Don't wait until you're thirsty to drink, and keep hydrated. In hot weather, don't drink drinks containing ethanol or a lot of sugar, as these drinks can cause you to lose more body fluids.

Also, don't drink water that is too cold to avoid stomach cramps.

② Suitable for supplementing salt:

If you need to do physical labor or strenuous exercise in a hot environment, drink at least 2 to 4 cups of cool water (500 to 1000 mL) every hour. The water temperature should not be too high, and you should drink water in small amounts and multiple times. If you usually have a low-salt diet, it is also recommended to supplement with salt water, preferably with a sodium chloride concentration of 0.1%.

In addition, you can add soups to your diet, such as vegetable soup, fish soup, egg drop soup, etc.

If you usually prefer strong flavors and consume a lot of salt, there is generally no need to supplement.

③ Eat a light diet:

Eat less high-fat and high-oil foods, and keep your diet light. Foods that are difficult to digest will put an extra burden on the body. Pay attention to supplementing protein, vitamins and calcium. Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, and get enough sleep.

④ Pay attention to sun protection:

In summer, you can apply sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher (UVA/UVB protection), bring a parasol and sun hat, wear light-colored clothes, and loose clothes are best. You can wear a thin and breathable sun protection clothing, and be sure to pay attention to the standard on the sun protection clothing: GB/T18830.

It should be noted that because sun protection measures may affect the synthesis of vitamin D in the skin, it is recommended to supplement 10 micrograms of vitamin D, or 400 international units, every day.

⑤ Do not leave babies and pets alone in the car:

The temperature inside a car can still rise rapidly and dangerously under the sun. Even with a gap in the car windows, the temperature inside the car can still rise by nearly 7°C within 10 minutes of parking. Anyone or pets left in the car at this time are at risk of severe heat stroke or even death.

⑥ Carry anti-heat and cooling medicine with you:

Such as Huoxiang Zhengqi Pills, Rendan, Shidi Shui, Fengyoujing, etc.

If you find that your body temperature is abnormally high, reaching >40°C within 10-15 minutes, and accompanied by nausea, dizziness, red and hot skin, confusion and other adverse symptoms, you should be alert to heat stroke. You should seek medical attention in time, otherwise it may lead to death.

4. Is mung bean soup reliable for relieving heat?

Mung beans are often referred to as "a great summer heat reliever". Drinking a bowl of refreshing mung bean soup can not only "take away" the heat, but also replenish water and nutrients. It is simply wonderful.

The potassium and B vitamins in mung beans are good nutrients, which can make up for the loss of nutrients caused by sweating in high temperatures.

Therefore, it is reasonable to say that mung bean soup can relieve heat. However, some people say that drinking "mung bean soup" can detoxify, which is a bit exaggerated.

The definition of "poison" is very vague. In fact, a healthy person's body does not have that much "poison" to eliminate. The waste produced by normal metabolism and some harmful substances ingested can be discharged normally through the human body's metabolic system. In current academic research, mung beans do not have any "poison"-eliminating effect.

"Where are the descendants! Come to work!"

Summary: Don’t underestimate the high temperatures in summer. Severe heat stroke can lead to heat stroke and even be fatal. The saying “heat can kill people” is no joke. In addition to taking the preventive measures recommended in this article, you should also avoid traveling at noon when the sun is strongest.

References:

[1] Liu Shuyuan, Song Jingchun, Mao Handing, Zhao Jinbao. Expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of heat stroke in China[J]. Journal of PLA Medical Journal, 2019, 44(03): 181-196.

[2] Heat stroke prevention and treatment expert group of the whole army, heat stroke emergency diagnosis and treatment expert consensus group. Heat stroke emergency diagnosis and treatment expert consensus (2021 edition) [J]. Chinese Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2021, 30(11): 1290-1299.

[3] Dong Haiyuan, Ling Jianchun, Kou Linyuan. Public heat stroke prevention and emergency treatment guide [J]. Health Guide, 2014, 20(04): 48-51.