Heatstroke/Sunstroke
Heatstroke/Sunstroke
Diagnosis
Sunstroke is typically diagnosed on the basis of symptoms alone.
To get the best measure of your body's core temperature, your doctor may use a rectal thermometer. Your doctor may also take your blood pressure and ask for a blood or urine sample.
Your doctor may perform tests to rule out conditions with symptoms similar to those of sunstroke.
Irregular heartbeats, a heart attack, a fever-causing infection, fluid loss related to medications, or cocaine intoxication can mimic sunstroke by causing elevated blood pressure and body temperature.
Table 2. Risk Factors for Sunstroke
| Very old or very young age |
| Low level of physical activity |
| Obesity |
| Smoking, drug, and alcohol use |
| Heart disease |
| High blood pressure |
| Diseases of the skin, kidney, or liver |
| Decreased ability to sweat, such as in scleroderma and cystic fibrosis |
| Medications that can aggravate sunstroke, including water pills (diuretics), allergy pills (antihistamines), tranquilizers, anticholinergics, and amphetamines |
| Heavy, restrictive clothing |
| Poor ventilation or lack of air conditioning in home |
| High humidity |
Prevention and Screening
Drink plenty of fluids [Table 3].
Keeping the body well-hydrated is the easiest and most reliable way to prevent heat-related illness. Under normal conditions, you should consume at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day. During strenuous activity, it is essential to replenish fluid at least every 20 minutes, even if you are not thirsty. Avoid caffeinated and alcoholic drinks; these act as diuretics and dehydrate the body
Avoid exposure to excessive heat.
Stay in shaded, cool, or air-conditioned areas whenever possible. In addition, schedule your activities to avoid being outside during the hottest times of the day (from 10am to 6pm). When you must be outside, wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Wear a hat that shades your face, neck, and ears.
Avoid strenuous activity in warm climates. If you want to exercise outside, do so during the early morning, which is the coolest part of the day.
Table 3. Strategies for Preventing Sunstroke
| Drink plenty of non-caffeinated, non-alcoholic fluids during the day, even if you are not thirsty. |
| Replenish water lost through sweat by drinking at least every 20 minutes during exercise. |
| Stay in cool, shaded, or air-conditioned areas. |
| Avoid being outside during the hottest hours of the day (10 AM to 6 PM) |
| Wear cool, non-restrictive, light-colored clothing. |
