As summer temperatures rise, it’s essential to know about the dangers of heatstroke. According to Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and clinical associate professor at the George Washington University, heatstroke is a medical emergency that must be treated immediately.

Recognizing Heatstroke Symptoms

Heatstroke occurs when the body’s temperature regulation mechanism is overwhelmed, causing the body’s temperature to rise rapidly. Symptoms include confusion, dizziness, fainting, slurred speech, and loss of consciousness. If someone around you is experiencing these symptoms, they need to go to the hospital right away.

Bystanders can help by moving the person into a shaded, cool area and placing cold, wet cloths or ice packs on the neck, armpits, and groin. It’s also crucial to stay with the person until emergency service workers arrive.

Less Severe Forms of Heat-Related Illnesses

Before someone reaches the point of having heatstroke, they may have heat exhaustion. Symptoms include nausea, tiredness, dizziness, headache, heavy sweating, and cool, clammy skin. It’s essential to move to a cool place right away, loosen clothes, and take a cool bath if possible.

People engaging in physical activity may also have heat cramps, where they have painful muscle spasms in hot weather. They should stop exercising and drink water or an electrolyte solution.

Who is Most Susceptible to Heat-Related Illnesses?

Extreme heat can affect everyone, but there are three groups of people who are the most susceptible to its ill effects. The first are the very young and the elderly, who have less physiological reserve and may have more problems regulating their body temperatures. The second group includes those with chronic medical conditions, whose medications may interfere with the body’s ability to adapt to changes in temperature. The third category encompasses those with occupational exposure or socioeconomic constraints that increase their exposure to heat.

Dr. Wen advises that people in these vulnerable groups take additional precautions when heat advisories are issued. They should limit their time outdoors during the hottest times of day, exercise early in the mornings or evenings, and find shade when possible. It’s also essential to stay hydrated and monitor the amount of time spent outdoors when it’s hot.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.