Symptoms

Symptoms of heat stroke include loss of consciousness and headaches. Heat stroke symptoms also include absence of sweating and rapid, shallow breathing.

Prevention/Solution

To avoid heat stroke, individuals should stay in air-conditioned areas and wear loose, lightweight clothing to allow evaporation of sweat. People should consume additional water, and exercise in the early morning (before 10 a.m.) and evening hours (after 6 p.m.) to prevent heat stroke.

Treatment

Individuals believing that another person has heat stroke must seek medical assistance immediately. Treatment involves placing ice and cooling blankets on the person's groin, neck and back to lower body temperature and submerging a person in a bath of cold or ice water.

Warning

A person suffering from heat stroke can experience shock (abrupt loss of blood flow). Untreated shock causes permanent damage to the organs because of swelling.

Considerations

Heat stroke survivors must stay away from hot weather and refrain from strenuous exercise due to higher vulnerability to heat. The increased sensitivity to heat lasts for one week after the occurrence of heat stroke.

Source:

Mayo Clinic: Heat Stroke Overview

Mayo Clinic: Symptoms of Heat Stroke

Family Doctor: Additional Information on Heat Stroke

More Information:

Mayo Clinic: Treating Heat Stroke

Mayo Clinic: Complications from Heat Stroke