1 of 10

HEAT STROKE

​

Prepared by:

Jesther Rose L. Rojas

BSN 2D

2 of 10

HEAT STROKE

​

​

  • Heat stroke is a form of hyperthermia in which the body temperature is elevated dramatically.
  • Heat stroke is a medical emergency and can be fatal if not promptly and properly treated.

​

3 of 10

Causes

  • Extreme heat, high humidity, or vigorous physical exertion under the sun
  • Dehydration- A dehydrated person may not be able to sweat fast enough to dissipate heat, which causes the body temperature to rise.

4 of 10

Signs and Symptoms

5 of 10

  • Sometimes a person experiences symptoms of heat exhaustion before progressing to heat strokes.

​

Signs and Symptoms include:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Fatigue
  • weakness
  • Headache
  • Muscle cramps
  • dizziness

​

​

6 of 10

Who are at risk?

  • Infants
  • the elderly (often with associated heart diseases, lung diseases, kidney diseases, or who are taking medications that make them vulnerable to dehydration and heat strokes)
  • athletes
  • individuals who work outside and physically exert themselves under the sun.

7 of 10

Treatment

Victims of Heat Stroke must receive immediate treatment to avoid permanent organ damage.

​

COOL THE PATIENT

  • Get the victim to a shady area, remove clothing, apply cool or tepid water to the skin (for example you may spray the victim with cool water from a garden hose), fan the victim to promote sweating and evaporation, and place ice packs under armpits and groin.

​

  • If the person is able to drink liquids, have them drink cool water or other cool beverages that do not contain alcohol or caffeine.�

​

8 of 10

9 of 10

  • Monitor body temperature with a thermometer and continue cooling efforts until the body temperature drops to 101 to 102 F (38.3 to 38.8 C).

​

  • Always notify emergency services (911) immediately. If their arrival is delayed, they can give you further instructions for treatment of the victim.

10 of 10

Prevention

​

  • The most important measures to prevent heat strokes are to avoid becoming dehydrated and to avoid vigorous physical activities in hot and humid weather.
  • If you have to perform physical activities in hot weather, drink plenty of fluids (such as water and sports drinks), but avoid alcohol, caffeine (including soft drinks and tea), and tea which may lead to dehydration.
  • Your body will need replenishment of electrolytes (such as sodium) as well as fluids if you sweat excessively or perform vigorous activity in the sunlight for prolonged periods.