How Long in the Sun Causes Heat Stroke: Signs & How to Cure?

In summer people in many areas die due to heat stroke, making this one of the highly dangerous health risks that can affect your body very badly.

In mid of April 2023 in India, Eleven people died due to heatstroke after attending a large public gathering in the open in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, on Sunday (April 16).

And twenty people have been admitted to the hospital, three of whom are critically ill. Dozens of others suffered from dehydration while standing in the heat.

Currently, the summer season is going to reach full swing and heat waves are likely to remain till the second week of June or before the first rain of the monsoon arrives. Till then you need to be very careful and stay protected from heat stroke.

Also Read: 5 Things You Need to Avoid in Summer to Minimize its Impact

Here we will tell you everything about heat stroke, its causes, and symptoms and how to prevent or treatments for heat stroke.

What is a Heat Stroke?

As per The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – “Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. And it occurs when the body can no longer control its temperature which naturally happens with sweating.

When your body’s temperature rises very fast, the sweating mechanism does not respond quickly and fails to cool down your body. And when your body temperature reaches at 106°F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes, heat stroke occurs.

Heat Stroke Causes

In medical terms, heat stroke is a serious health condition caused by tremendously high temperatures. Doctors say, heat stroke is generally caused by exposure to a very high level of heat due to which body temperature can rise by 103 to 104 degrees.

Heat stroke usually occurs when you are in a dehydrated state. So, the most important way to control or avoid heat stroke is to keep yourself well-hydrated.

When the body is exposed to extreme heat it causes the affected person’s body to lose its ability to regulate its temperature and causes it to rise quickly.

Heat Stroke Symptoms

People who are exposed to heat and suffering from heat stroke experience fatigue, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, hypotension (low blood pressure) and tachycardia (increased heart rate). And other symptoms of heat stroke are given below.

Early Signs of Heat Stroke:

• High body temperature
• Rapid heartbeat or breathing
• Confusion or disorientation
• Headache, Nausea & vomiting
• Dry, hot skin or skin rashes
• Muscle cramps or weakness
• A lack of sweat or an excess of it
• Feeling dizzy, sick, or vomiting
• Loss of consciousness (coma)

Heatstroke needs immediate medical attention. In serious cases, heatstroke may swiftly damage your brain, kidneys, heart, and muscles if not untreated.

The delay in the treatment to cure heat stroke can cause serious health complications and if not treated timely it can cause death.

Heat Stroke Treatment

Heat stroke is so dangerous that if the person doesn’t get immediate treatment, heat stroke can cause permanent disability or death.

If someone got a heat stroke, apart from taking the patient to a medical emergency at the hospital, there are a few things you can do immediately.

Quick Cure for Heat Stroke:

• Take the patient to a cool place or air-conditioned room.
• Get them to drink plenty of water (if the person is conscious).
• Get them to lie down and raise their feet slightly.
• Get them raw mango-boiled juice with water & lemon.
• Cool their skin using spray or sponge them with cold water.

Heat Stroke Prevention Tips

“Prevention is better than cure” – this saying is true, it is better to prevent yourself from such diseases rather than treating the same when suffering.

Here we brought a few prevention tips that will help you to avoid heat stroke.

• Drink water at regular intervals but not too much.
• Avoid a high-protein diet or food in summer.
• Avoid alcohol, tea, coffee & carbonated drinks.
• If possible drink ORS and homemade herbal drinks.
• Take cool baths or showers regularly.
• Use sunglasses, umbrellas or hats going outside.
• Wear light shades and loose clothing.
• Cover your face and body from heat waves.
• Avoid going outside into the sun between 11 am and 3 pm.
• If an emergency doesn’t stay outside for a longer time.
• Avoid excessive alcohol consumption.
• Avoid extreme exercise in high temperatures.

Also Read: Top Foods that Should be Avoided and Consumed During Summer