Sun stroke

 

Summer is here the heat of the Sun and hot temperatures can at times cause dehydration or heatstroke especially in those working or playing in the heat without proper caution and immediate action heatstroke or dehydration can become very dangerous it's important for us to know what the signs of heat stroke are and what to do if somebody is affected.

What happens to our body in heat and during exercise?

we are gifted with an amazing body it has special features to control its temperature, this is important for all organs to work properly like many machines working together if the temperature gets too high then these machines can get damaged or stopped working, with proper temperature control they can keep working at their best. 

Our brain constantly monitors the temperature of the body it sends signal to the body to help it cool down when it is hot and to warm up when it is cold. Heat and exercise increases the temperature of our body the body cools down by dilating the blood vessels in the skin and by sweating this way the temperature of the body does not get very high and we can keep working or playing, however in certain situations the body may not be able to keep up with the heat and can get very hot this can lead to severe dehydration or heatstroke it can happen when the temperature or humidity in the environment is very high when being in the hot environment for too long.

 Symptoms of heat stroke:

 Heat stroke develops when the body gets too hot, early signs of heat stroke are throbbing headaches and feeling exhausted if immediate action is not taken then condition can get worse very quickly the heart rate increases due to high temperature and a person may feel nausea or have vomiting have loss of focus or get confused the temperatures can rise to a very high level of 104 degrees Fahrenheit or 40 degrees Celsius or more our body cannot but with such high temperatures the skin becomes dry hot and red the person may have slurred speech have seizures or may lose consciousness heatstroke can rapidly progress and can become dangerous different parts of the body can get damaged and in severe cases it can also lead to death if not treated quickly. 

We need to act fast if anyone shows these signs remember the person suffering may get confused and cannot take care of themselves or tell what happened to them watch out for these signs as heatstroke can happen in many different settings some common scenarios are playing in heat or hot temperatures for a long time and working in hot or humid temperatures for a long time.

 Here are some steps you can take get under the shade and move away from the hot environment as soon as  spray the affected person with water or cover them with wet cloths and fan air on them move into an air-conditioned area if possible drink lots of water to stay hydrated take a cool shower to cool down if you're outdoors then soaking in cool pond or stream can help bring the temperatures down as well if the person is getting worse or is unconscious keep working on cooling their body while waiting for emergency medical help you can place ice packs or cold water bottles under the armpits and in the groin area.

What are some ways to avoid heatstroke...,

here are some practical steps to avoid heatstroke wear loose-fitting lightweight clothes in hot weather this allows the body to cool properly in air to circulate drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated staying hydrated helps with good blood circulation to the skin and other parts of the body and the body can sweat off to cool down never leave children in the car alone the temperature inside the car can get very high even if the car is in the shade or the windows are open. Drink plenty of fluids and take frequent breaks to rest in a cool spot get your body familiar to high temperatures gradually people who are not used to hot weather are more likely to get heatstroke if you travel to a warmer area or if the weather changes quickly with the heatwave try to take it easy and gradually increase exertion and exposure to heat so your body can adjust to the change be extra careful about kids older people and those with health problems....

Did you know the normal body temperature of humans is 37 degrees and goes up and down by one degree. Birds, humans and other mammals have special features to control the temperature of their bodies but other animals like reptiles and amphibians have their body temperature that changes with their environment their body gets really hot when it's hot and really cold when it's cold outside they need to be extra careful of their environment to stay alive how amazing is that that's another reason to be grateful for our gifted bodies.