Heat Stroke: Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention Methods

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Heat waves can be detrimental to society's health. The most common health issue with extremely hot days is heat stroke.

Dr. Peter Wilk, from Physicians of Social Responsibility, told the National Wildlife Federation (NWF): "...In the United States, heat waves already kill more people during a typical year than floods, tornadoes and earthquakes combined..."

Midland Daily News reports that in the United States a minimum of 30 children died from heat stroke, when left in vehicles just last year. The site recommends remembering the acronym "ACT" to prevent child-induced heat strokes.

A: Avoid leaving your child alone in the car for any length of time.

C: Create reminders to help you remeber that your child is in the backseat. For example, place your bag next to your child or a stuff animal in the front passenger seat.

T: Take action. Call 911 if you see or hear a child alone in a vehicle.

Besides children, outdoor workers are also at great risk of getting a heat stroke, according to My Central Oregon. Penny Wolf-McCormick, health enforcement manager for the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration, shared some advice for employers with outdoor workers.

"Employers should provide drinking water, offer a shaded place for workers to take breaks, and watch for signs of trouble," said Wolf-McCormick.

If a person is seemingly suffering from a heat stroke, Hermiston Heralds suggests the following:

• Move the person to a cool, shaded area and do not leave him/her alone.
• Loosen or remove heavy clothing.
• Provide cool drinking water to be administered every 15 minutes.
• Try fanning, spraying cold water, or placing a damp cloth onto the skin of the person.
• Call 911 if none of the above steps makes the person feel better.

To identify if a person is suffering from a heat stroke, Web MD states the symptoms include: throbbing headache, dizziness or light-headedness, muscle weakness or cramps, nausea and vomiting, seizures and unconsciousness.

In addition, a person experiencing a heat stroke might have red, hot or dry skin; either strong or weak rapid heartbeats and rapid, shallow breathing.

There are many ways to prevent heat strokes, such as wearing lighter clothing or sunscreen, drinking extra fluid, or even rescheduling an outdoor activity to a cooler time of day.

Dr. Amanda Staudt, an NWF climate scientist, believes that global warming greatly contributes to the frequency of heat waves society has been experiencing these last couple of years. 

Besides heat stroke, Dr. Stuadt says heat waves can also contribute to the worsening air pollution in urban areas, as well as increase the risk of heart and asthma attacks.