How to prevent and cope with heat-related diseases that can lead to death
Aug 12, 2024
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Most heat diseases are not fatal, but if you do not respond quickly to sunstroke and heatstroke, your life can be dangerous.
Professor Kim Han-bit of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital said, `When exposed to heat, most of our body's blood travels to the skin to lower body temperature. The longer the exposure is, the more water loss occurs, and the amount of blood flow to the brain decreases, which can lead to dizziness or decreased consciousness. Therefore, it is important to know the types of deadly heat diseases and danger signals in advance."
Typical examples of fatal heat diseases are sunstroke and heatstroke. Sunstroke is also called heat exhaustion, and excessive sweat, dizziness, headache, and nausea appear. Heatstroke can cause rapid and irregular breathing, pulse, and loss of consciousness along with a body temperature of 39 degrees or higher.
In particular, if heat stroke lasts for a long time, blood circulation to the brain or central nerve is not good, and if treatment is delayed, there may be aftereffects such as memory loss or cognitive impairment caused by brain damage. In addition, a lack of blood may have a chronic effect on the heart and kidneys while also hindering smooth blood flow to cardiovascular and kidney.
In order to prevent heat wave damage, it is safe to refrain from outdoor activities from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., when issuing heat wave warnings and warnings. If you must go out, you should wear a wide-brimmed hat, mass production, paltoshi, etc. to block sunlight, and wear light, airy clothes. If you experience symptoms such as muscle spasms or dizziness during outdoor activities, you should immediately rest in a cool place. In addition, it is most important to drink water frequently and sufficiently so that you do not feel thirsty. Water is better than sugary or caffeinated drinks.
Heat diseases are especially dangerous for the elderly. This is because the sweat gland function decreases with age, the body temperature control function weakens, and the ability to feel thirst decreases. In addition, older people are more likely to have chronic diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes, so be careful not to be exposed to heat waves.
Children should drink water frequently even if they are not thirsty and should refrain from excessive physical activity because their body temperature control function is not sufficiently developed and their ability to produce sweat and thirst response is low when dehydrated. It is forbidden to be alone in a hot space without a guardian even for a moment.
Professor Kim said, `Especially if a heat stroke is suspected of being unconscious due to a high temperature of 40 degrees Celsius or higher, you must report it to 119 and take urgent measures, such as loosening the patient's clothes, spraying cool water, or using a fan to lower body temperature" he advised.
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