What is heatstroke, and how can you treat it

Heatstroke is a condition that can occur when you are exposed to high temperatures for prolonged periods of time. This could be through sun exposure or through working in environments like commercial kitchens, where the temperatures tend to stay very high. There are lots of ways that you can help reduce these temperatures. One of the most effective is air conditioning. A good Air con Gloucester company can help you to find a system that is suitable for your needs. This could be a unit for one room or only or a system that covers your entire workplace.

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Heatstroke occurs when the body reaches temperatures of higher than 40 degrees celsius. This can be more common during the summer months when the temperatures around us can regularly reach these levels. If an individual was to overexert themselves in this kind of heat, they could push their body temperature up too high.

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It is important that if you think you, or someone else, has heatstroke, you seek medical attention as when left untreated, it can lead to severe damage to areas in your body such as kidneys, heart and brain. In extremely severe cases, it can even prove to be fatal.

Symptoms to look out for include:

• Headache – this tends to be a throbbing headache
• Flushed skin – this is red skin as opposed to a sunburn
• High body temperature – this is a temperature of 40 degrees Celsius or higher
• Vomiting – this can also be experienced as a feeling of nausea
• Rapid heartbeat – this is due to your heart trying to help pump blood around your body more quickly to cool you down
• Rapid breathing – the breathing can also become shallow
• Changes in mental state and behaviour – can include slurred speech, confusion, hallucinations, irritability, seizures and even coma.

As the condition progresses, you may notice that more symptoms appear, and the severity of the ones that were first experienced can intensify. When these symptoms start to appear, you should move to a cooler place, seek shade if you are outdoors and find ways in which you can slowly cool down your body. This may include removing items of clothing, wet towels to the back of the neck, spraying with cold water or using a fan. You should also call for medical assistance and have the individual assessed and treated in a hospital if necessary.