The dangers of heat stroke
The potential long-term effects of heat stroke on the brain is quite alarming. When we're exposed to extreme heat, the protein in our brains can be negatively affected.
Exposure to high temperatures, where the person’s body temperature stays over 37.8°C, can cause damage to the brain or other vital organs, trigger a heart attack and in extreme cases, result in death.
It’s not just the temperature, it’s the humidity, incident radiant energy and your health state that will kill you.
Look out for the signs of heat stroke in others.
Symptoms include, dry swollen tongue, rapid pulse, rapid shallow breathing, intense thirst, headache, nausea or vomiting, dizziness or confusion, poor coordination or slurred speech, aggressive or bizarre behaviour, loss of consciousness, seizures or coma.
Look to reduce the person’s body temperature with immediate first aid.
- Call 000 and ask for an ambulance
- Get the person into the shade, lay them down, and keep them as still as possible
- Give small sips of cool fluids if conscious and able to drink
- Bring their temperature down by putting cool packs under armpits, on the groin, or on the back of the neck to reduce body heat
- Do not give aspirin or paracetamol; they do not help and may be harmful
- If unconscious, lay the person on their side (recovery position) and check they can breathe properly
- Perform CPR if needed
source: www.health.nsw.gov.au
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