Heat exhaustion and Heatstroke

Due to excessive heat the bodily temperature is not in control by the individual. This temperature rises and causes hyperthermia and dehydration thus causing a condition called heatstroke. Hyperthermia is when the body’s temperature is above normal and dehydration occurs of less intake of water to the body.
The normal temperature of an individual’s body is 36-36.8C OR 96.8-98.24F.
Normally a body disposes the heat through the skin by sweating and it keeps a control of the temperature. However in situations where the temperature rises or is above the normal or is above 40C, the body’s internal thermometer fails. This results in a failure to dispose heat and thus the body is unable to control the temperature and cool down to normal.

Symptoms of Heat exhaustion and Heatstroke

Symptoms of Heat exhaustion may occur after exposure to hot conditions, burns or physical exertion of the body. To bring down the temperature of the body the individual needs to rehydrate oneself by drinking plenty of fluid. Although normal water helps rehydrate one, other fluids as sports drinks or OFC (out of counter) solutions can also be used for rehydration.
The symptoms of Heat exhaustion are nausea / vomiting, high temperature, loss of appetite, a weak pulse, cramps in stomach, tiredness, dizziness, headaches, weakness in the muscles and experiencing muscle cramps and skin that is paler than normal

Taking a shower, removing excessive clothing helps one to cool down .the individual should also remove any excessive clothing that may contribute to rise in temperature .If the symptoms of Heat exhaustion are not treated, then the individual will silently develop heatstroke. Symptoms of Heatstroke are disorientation, convulsions, hot, flushed, dry skin, visual hallucinations, unconsciousness, sudden rise in temperature, a rising pulse.

Causes of Heat exhaustion and Heatstroke

Excessive exposure to hot temperatures, physical exertion, sunburns and physical burns causes Heatstroke. When the temperature of the body rises, the individual suffers from heatstroke .An undiagnosed medical condition called the overactive thyroid gland can also result in a heat stroke. Heatstroke is a condition that any individual may suffer from throughout their life span. But there are some individuals who have a higher risk of effecting oneself with serious consequences.-namely, young children and babies, people with heart or breathing problems, labourers, sportsmen are people who are physically active and are exposed to the outer conditions more and individuals with mobility problems
There is a possibility of people who are more vulnerable to heat exhaustion. This is due to the intake of certain kind of medications like
Beta blockers medicines help not only in reducing the blood pressure of a person but also interfere with the body’s processes like thermoregulation. (A process where it controls the body from getting too hot)
Anti epileptics, lithium , statins are medicines that do not function normally if the individual is suffering from dehydration.
Diuretics are drugs that increase urine production and thus it may cause dehydration to the person.