This is part of an article that was published a few months ago. Happy reading! And don’t forget to subscribe to our page!
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With the summer and temperatures coming up, it is important to protect yourself from the eminent heat waves and learn how to treat it. However, always hydrate yourself with water and protect your head. Prevention will go a long way than any reactive treatment.
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion occurs when there is a rise in the body temperature. It isn’t life threating as a heatstroke (see below) but it shouldn’t be taken lightly as it could lead to severe complications if left untreated. Heat exhaustion will occur during exercise activities.
Signs:
– – heavy sweating
– –Nausea
– Muscle cramps
– Dizziness/faintness
– Weakness and fatigue
– Rapid weak pulse
– Muscle cramps
– Dizziness/faintness
– Weakness and fatigue
– Rapid weak pulse
How to treat:
– – Move the patient to a cool place away from the sun
– Stop activities and rest
– Drink water or electrolytes
– If feeling faint, make them lie down and life their feet 20 cm above the floor
– Monitor their life signs and call for the ambulance if they become worse
– Drink water or electrolytes
– If feeling faint, make them lie down and life their feet 20 cm above the floor
– Monitor their life signs and call for the ambulance if they become worse
Heatstroke
Heatstoke is when the body temperature increases rapidly and it is unable to cool down. It is a serious life threatening condition and could lead to sever organ and brain damage as well as death. Heatstroke is a heat illness condition that can be caused from heat exhaustion and other.
Signs:
– – Fever rises rapidly (more than 40 c)
– Fainting
– Heavy breathing
– Hot/dry skin or heavy sweating
– Flushed skin
– Rapid pulse
– Nausea
– Fainting
– Heavy breathing
– Hot/dry skin or heavy sweating
– Flushed skin
– Rapid pulse
– Nausea
How to treat:
– Call for an ambulance first before treating the patient.
– Your objective is to quickly their body temperature by any means:
– sponging the whole body with water or cool them with a damp sheet.
– Your objective is to quickly their body temperature by any means:
– sponging the whole body with water or cool them with a damp sheet.
– Move them to a tub filled with water (however for children do not keep them for a long time as they will risk hypothermia)
– Hose them down
– Ice packs under the arm pits, neck and groin.
If conscious let them drink fluids or water that isn’t caffeinated.
Start CPR if they stop to breath.
And remember keep calm and don’t panic!