How to Recognize & Treat Heat Stroke
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The elderly are particularly at risk for heat related conditions such as heat stroke due to a number of age related factors: poor circulation, heart/lung/kidney conditions, high blood pressure, side effects from medications such as diuretics, etc.
Now that temperatures are rising, it is important to know the signs of heatstroke and to know how to prevent it.
According to WebMd, not all cases of heat stroke are the same. However, the most common symptoms are as follows:
- high body temperature
- absence of sweating (red or flushed dry skin)
- rapid pulse
- difficulty breathing
- strange behavior
- hallucinations
- confusion
- agitation
- disorientation
- seizure
- coma
If you suspect someone is suffering from a heat related illness seek medical help immediately!!
A July 21, 2009 online article from the Instutute on Aging also recommends:
- getting the person out of the sun and into an air conditioned place
- offering the person fluids (e.g., water, fruit and vegetable juices, etc.)
- encourage the person to take a bath or shower with cool water
- apply the person with a cold cloth to the wrists, neck, armpits and/or groin (e.g., places where blood passes close to the surface and the cool clothes can cool the blood.)
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