What is Heat Stroke?

“Heat stroke” is the term for symptoms that emerge when the balance of water and electrolytes in the body is disrupted and the human body loses its ability to regulate itself due to excessive heat. Heat stroke can occur both indoors and outdoors during hot and humid days. In extreme cases, heat stroke can result in death, and knowledge about how to prevent and treat heat stroke victims could save a life.

Degrees of heat stroke, symptoms and measures to take

 

Level	Symptoms	Measures
1st Degree (mild)	Dizziness, lightheadedness, muscle soreness, muscle spasms, excessive sweating	Seeking shelter in the shade, consuming water and electrolytes
2nd Degree (Moderate)	Headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, difficulty concentrating	If unable to administer water or electrolytes orally, seek assistance at a hospital
3rd Degree (Severe)	Loss of consciousness, convulsions, loss of balance, unresponsiveness, elevated body temperature	Call an ambulance /seek professional medical attention immediately

 

Heat Stroke First Aid

 

Relocate to a cooler area

•  Seek shelter in an area with good ventilation. If possible, find an area with air conditioning.

 

Remove clothing and lower body temperature.

•  Loosen clothing and take measures to lower body temperature.
•  Splash water on the victim and cool the body with handheld or electric fans.
• If ice bags are available, cool the blood that flows directly beneath the skin by placing the ice bags on the neck, in the armpit, or between the thighs.

Administer water and electrolytes

• Give the victim cold water. In the event of excessive sweating, electrolytes lost through perspiration will need to be replaced. This can be done by giving the victim a sports drink or a saline solution made by dissolving 1-2 grams of salt into 1 liter of water.
• If the victim is conscious and responsive, water can be given orally.
• If the victim is unresponsive, or is nauseous or vomiting, water should not be administered orally.
• Seek medical attention
• If water cannot be administered orally, getting the victim to a medical facility and seeking medical attention should be the highest priority.

 

Ways to Prevent Heat Stroke

 

Avoid overheating by:

•  Walking in the shade
• Sprinkling water on the concrete to cool the ground in the mornings.
• Installing blinds for your windows.
•  Using a parasol.
•  Wearing a wide brimmed hat.
• Using an electric fan or air conditioning unit (a moderate temperature below 28 degrees C is best)

 

Dress smart

• Purchase clothing made of sweat absorbing and quick drying material, “cool” suits, etc.
• Avoid black clothing, as it absorbs heat more readily in the sun.
• Keep collars loose to allow for air flow.

 

Stay hydrated

• On hot days, individuals continuously sweat in small amounts throughout the day, possibly resulting in dehydration that goes unnoticed. Therefore, you should consume water and electrolytes, regardless of how active you are during the day.
• Warning: Consuming alcohol causes individuals to urinate more frequently, and has a dehydrating effect on the body. Therefore, you should not try to rehydrate with beer or other alcoholic beverages. An alcoholic beverage causes the body to lose more water than is provided by the beverage itself.

 

Beware of sudden rises in temperature

• Individuals who have spent the majority of their day indoors or individuals who have not been in a hot environment for a long time are especially susceptible to heat stroke. It is best to slowly acclimate to heat and humidity.

 

Increase your resistance to heat

• Light sweat inducing exercise, such as walking, helps acclimate the body to heat, decreasing the risk of heat stroke.

 

Remember that your degree of risk differs depending on your individual situation

• Individuals experiencing fever or diarrhea, obese individuals, young children, the elderly and individuals suffering from lack of sleep are especially prone to heat stroke. It is important for these individuals to decrease the amount of exercise and/or work they do in hot environments.

（Source：Ministry of the Environment, Heat Stroke Prevention Manual）