Symptoms of heat stroke in adults

Summer time is the time of visiting resorts or nearby beaches. However, during a rest period under the scorching sun rays, the risk of a heat stroke increases. However, such an ailment can develop in a person who is spending time away from the sea coasts, as a result of the negative influence of heat and stuffiness. How can you recognize the signs of heat stroke in adults to provide emergency help?

How does a heat stroke occur in an adult?

Thermal shock - a consequence of critical overheating of the body. In medicine, there are 2 forms of malaise:

1. In the first case, we are talking about overheating, associated with excessive physical exertion. Usually this form is diagnosed in athletes, as well as people engaged in manual labor in poorly ventilated, stuffy rooms.
2. The second form is most often observed in children and the elderly, who are most prone to the influence of high air temperature.

The consequences of a heat stroke in an adult or a child can lead to tragedy if there is not a person close to him who can help.

Determine the heat stroke can be on the following grounds:

1. In the initial stage there is general weakness, strong thirst. A man complains of stuffiness.
2. Then the temperature rises. The temperature at a thermal shock in an adult can reach 40-41 ° C. Simultaneously with the increase in temperature there is an acceleration of the pulse. Usually it exceeds the rate of 130 beats per minute.
3. There is hypotension . If you can quickly remove heat, the pressure is normalized.
4. Hypotension causes a marked pallor of the skin.
5. Possible secondary signs of heat stroke - attacks of vomiting, diarrhea.
6. In the absence of first aid, the victim loses consciousness. At this stage, convulsions , delusions, disruption of orientation in space, hallucinations are not excluded.
7. In the final stage, a pronounced cyanosis is diagnosed. Hepatic insufficiency develops, the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding is high. Violation of metabolic processes leads to kidney dysfunction, which can be determined by changing the color and volume of urine.

It is worth noting that the heat stroke in an adult or child in a difficult stage does not pass without a trace. Overheating leads to violations in the work of the cardiovascular system, negatively affects the activity of the central nervous system.

Clinical picture of heat stroke

To understand why a heat stroke is accompanied by such signs, one should familiarize yourself with the physiology of man. Increasing the temperature of the environment leads to the activation of sweat glands. It is proved that the human body is able to extract up to 1 liter of liquid through the surface of the skin within an hour. This is a protective measure that compensates for the high temperature of the environment.

But in children and the elderly, as well as with low adaptation to environmental conditions, the process is violated. Low excretion of sweat leads to a rapid increase in body temperature. How long does the temperature last with a thermal shock in an adult, depends on individual characteristics. But on average the heat lasts about 2 days.

How long does the heat stroke in an adult also depends on the anatomy, the degree of damage to the body, the presence of chronic pathologies. The mild form gives discomfort for 1-2 days. With a severe heat stroke, a person suddenly loses consciousness, raves. In this case, a coma is possible. Such a heat stroke requires the victim to be placed in an inpatient department, where, in the absence of serious complications, he can spend up to 10 days.