Heat+Stroke

= Heat Stroke =

by HorYing 9.6 What causes it? Heat stroke is a form of Hyperthermia(body overheating). It is caused by exposure to high temperatures outdoors. If your body temperature becomes too high, sweat is produced to cool your body down. Sweat is produced using water. If not enough water is drank, your body will stop producing sweat and so your body will overheat, causing heat stroke. The body temperature can be up to about 41.1°C(106°F) when having heat stroke.

How is it transmitted? Heat stroke cannot be spread from one person to another.

What are the symptoms? Sometimes, heat exhaustion can be experienced before heat stroke. The two are similar, but heat stroke is more of an emergency.

Different people have different symptoms of heat stroke, but some typical symptoms include:


 * high body temperature
 * no sweating, with hot red or flushed dry skin
 * rapid pulse
 * difficulty breathing
 * strange behaviour
 * confusion
 * seizure
 * coma

Is it deadly? If heat stroke isn't properly treated and in time, there may be organ damage or may even be fatal. Can it be cured? How? Heat stroke can be cured by getting cooling the body down. First move the victim to a shady area. Then remove or loosen clothing so the body can cool better. If the person is conscious let him/her drink water. Soak or sponge cool water onto the person's body. How can we prevent it? We can prevent heat stroke by avoid getting dehydrated, so always drink water, but not alcohol, tea and caffeine, which would just make you more dehydrated. Also avoid physical activities in hot and humid weather. Athletes, infants, the elderly and outdoor workers are at the most risk for heat stroke. Take breaks if you have to do physical activities and wear light and loose fitting clothes.

Discovery Health "What causes heat stroke?". (n.d.). //Discovery Health "Health Guides"//. Retrieved August 28, 2010, from http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/diet-fitness/information/question699.htm Heat Stroke Symptoms, Causes, Treatment - How do you treat a heat stroke victim on MedicineNet. (n.d.). //MedicineNet - Health and Medical Information Produced by Doctors//. Retrieved August 28, 2010, from http://www.medicinenet.com/heat_stroke/page2.htm   Occupational Safety and Health in Civil Service - Reference. (n.d.). //Civil Service Bureau//. Retrieved August 29, 2010, from http://www.csb.gov.hk/english/oshcs/reference/reference_02.html

BBC NEWS | Health | Health experts' heatwave warning. (n.d.). //BBC News - Home//. Retrieved August 28, 2010, from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4780575.stm