Heatstroke Treatment The treatment of heatstroke (Sun stroke) aims to cool the patient’s body to reach normal body temperature to prevent or reduce the severity of complications associated with heatstroke. These complications are often related to the brain and some other vital organs. Initially, the treatment aims to reduce the core body temperature to below 39 degrees Celsius. The patient’s body temperature is usually measured with a rectal thermometer, taking continuous readings regularly. It is essential to achieve this temperature as quickly as possible. Although there is some disagreement among researchers about the time required to lower the temperature to below 39 degrees Celsius, the ideal period to achieve this goal is within 60 minutes of heatstroke exposure. It is noteworthy that raising the body temperature to 40 degrees Celsius or higher can cause serious health complications, notably brain damage and other vital organs. Generally, heatstroke patients need to be hospitalized to be examined, ensured of their safety, and monitored for any complications that may appear after the first day.
First Aid Although there are several procedures recommended to be applied at home in case of heatstroke, they are usually not enough to treat the problem completely. Therefore, if there is a patient showing signs or complaining of heatstroke symptoms, it is necessary to call and seek emergency medical help or transport the patient to the hospital as quickly as possible. Any delay in seeking medical help can lead to severe complications, including death. It is crucial that those around the patient begin first aid procedures to try to cool the patient and reduce their core body temperature to between 38.3 and 38.8 degrees Celsius until the paramedics arrive. If the emergency team is delayed, it is necessary to contact the hospital’s emergency department for additional instructions on handling the case. Below are the essential first aid steps followed in cases of heatstroke:
- Move the patient to an air-conditioned place if possible, or at least to a cool and shaded area, and remove excess and tight clothing.
- Moisten the patient’s skin with water using a damp sponge or garden hose, and then direct air onto the patient’s body using a fan.
- Apply ice packs to areas rich in blood vessels near the skin, such as the armpits, groin, neck, and back. Cooling these areas helps reduce the patient’s body temperature.
- Immerse the patient’s entire body in a bathtub filled with lukewarm water. If the heatstroke is due to strenuous or intense exercise, ice can be added to the water, provided the patient is not chronically ill, elderly, or a young child.
- Allow the patient to drink fluids if the heatstroke is not severe. However, if it is severe and emergency services have been contacted, do not let the patient drink any fluids. The aim of giving fluids is to compensate for the fluid loss due to high body temperature and to replace the salts lost through sweating. Sports drinks can be used for this purpose. It is advisable to consult a doctor before giving any fluids or salt-replacing drinks to the patient.
- Avoid using alcoholic or sugary drinks to compensate for fluids, as these drinks can negatively affect the body’s ability to regulate temperature. Also, avoid very cold drinks, which can cause stomach cramps.
Exertional Heatstroke This type of heatstroke occurs during intense and violent exercise, known as exertional heat stroke or heat exhaustion. In this case, those around the patient should help them lie down and elevate their legs to ensure blood flow to the heart, and remove any tight or unnecessary clothing. An ice bath can be used to lower the temperature if the patient is young and in good health.
Medical Treatment There are several methods a doctor can use to lower the patient’s body temperature:
- Cold Water Immersion: Immersing the patient in a tub of cold or ice-mixed water is one of the most effective medical methods for reducing the core body temperature. The importance of quick temperature reduction lies in decreasing the risk of death and organ damage.
- Evaporative Cooling: This technique involves spraying lukewarm water mist on the patient’s body, followed by directing warm air over them, causing the water to evaporate and cool the skin.
- Cooling Blankets and Ice Packs: The doctor may use special cooling blankets and place ice packs on the armpits, back, neck, and groin.
- Medications: The doctor might administer drugs to reduce shivering if the patient is experiencing it due to the treatments used or other reasons, as shivering reduces the effectiveness of the treatment and raises body temperature. Specific drugs, such as benzodiazepines, might be used as deemed appropriate by the doctor. It is important to avoid using aspirin and acetaminophen, as these do not help lower the patient’s body temperature in cases of heatstroke.
- Gastric or Rectal Lavage with Cold Water: If previous methods fail to lower the patient’s temperature, cold water lavage can be used to cool the body from the inside by flushing cold water into the stomach or rectum.
- Cardiopulmonary Bypass: In severe cases unresponsive to other medical methods, the patient may need a cardiopulmonary bypass, which involves diverting the blood from the heart and lungs to an external machine for cooling before returning it to the body.
Post-Heatstroke The initial recovery from heatstroke generally takes about one to two days, usually recommended to be spent in the hospital. If organ damage is detected, a longer recovery period is anticipated, ranging from two months to a year for complete recovery. Rapid and effective heatstroke treatment often results in recovery without complications or with minor complications, such as increased sensitivity to hot weather. However, cases with organ damage may suffer permanent damage, including to the brain, lungs, liver, or kidneys.