What is the essence of sunstroke?
Doctors use this term to describe overheating of the body. “This is a condition that can occur when a person’s body becomes too hot,” comments Andrey Besedin, Ph.D., family doctor at GMS Clinic. - Sunstroke causes damage to the central nervous system. This condition can occur both during exposure to the sun and several hours later.” Our body is able to regulate body temperature quite well: for example, when it increases, sweating is activated.
But sometimes there are glitches in this process. “Heat stroke occurs when compensatory mechanisms cannot cope with heat transfer, and body temperature rises significantly,” says Ivan Golubev, a therapist at the MEDSI Clinical Diagnostic Center in Grokholsky Lane. “Because of this, inflammatory reactions in the body are activated, which can result in failure of various organs and systems. Possible failure of the nervous system, muscles, liver, kidneys, lungs and heart.”
Manifestation of hot flashes, chills, hot flashes
Frequent complaints with attacks of fever, chills, hot flashes
- Heart pain, palpitations, chest pain, chest pain.
- Psychosomatic disorders.
- Muscle pain. Muscle pain (“twists”).
- Lower back pain, heaviness in the lower back or back.
- Headaches of various types and intensity.
- Heaviness in the body. Heaviness in the limbs.
- Feeling of a lump in the throat. Difficulty swallowing, choking.
- Nausea, stomach pain, gastrointestinal disorders.
- Feeling of weakness, emptiness, fatigue.
- Dizziness. Impotence.
- Numbness and tingling in different parts of the body.
Naturally, we are not talking about natural manifestations of a feeling of heat, for example, during some infectious diseases, when this is regarded as a natural biological response of the body. And we won’t talk about the natural manifestations of chills when you are in a cold room, on the street, when it’s cold, or when you have an infectious disease. In this section we will look at seemingly causeless attacks of fever without fever and attacks of chills without fever.
Attacks of fever and chills for no reason can occur for various reasons that can occur in the human body. If we exclude the inclusion of these sensations during infections and those associated with external, for example, weather phenomena, then hormonal (for example, during menopause in women or men) and mental causes remain. In this section we will describe the manifestations of hot flashes and chills that occur in various mental disorders.
Causes of sunstroke
As a rule, this condition is caused by prolonged exposure to the open sun in the heat. “Sunstroke can also occur with high physical activity in dry, windless weather,” adds Ivan Golubev. That's why experts don't recommend exercising outside in the heat.
Several factors increase your risk of sunstroke. These, according to Valery Vasiliev, rehabilitation doctor, kinesiotherapist, osteopath, include the following:
- Direct exposure to the sun on an uncovered head;
- Overweight, obesity;
- Clothes that are too tight and tight;
- Staying in poorly ventilated areas;
- Cardiovascular and endocrine diseases;
- Neurological problems;
- State of alcoholic intoxication;
- Smoking.
“Excessive sun exposure is dangerous for everyone. People who are weakened, overtired, suffering from cardiovascular diseases, thyrotoxicosis, and obesity should be especially careful. Children and elderly people overheat easily,” adds Valery Vasiliev.
The risk of overheating is reduced by proper drinking regimen, loose, well-ventilated clothing made from natural fabrics and a hat, and reducing the time spent in the open sun during the heat of the day to a minimum.
Signs of sunstroke
The first symptoms of sunstroke are fatigue, headache, dizziness, and a feeling of “ache” in the body. “There is also a chance of nausea and vomiting. A little later, tinnitus, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, and darkening of the eyes may appear, warns Ivan Golubev. - At this stage it is important to provide assistance! Further overheating leads to rapid damage to the central nervous system (CNS), cyanosis of the face occurs, severe shortness of breath, the pulse becomes frequent and weak. This is accompanied by muscle cramps and hallucinations. Breathing becomes uneven, thoughts are confused, and delirium occurs. The victim may lose consciousness at any moment.”
Other signs of sunstroke should also alert you. “When overheated, patients complain of weakness, “weakness,” drowsiness, headache, thirst, nausea, tachycardia, shortness of breath, body temperature rises to 40-41˚C,” adds Andrey Besedin. — Almost always the patient has psychosomatic problems (loss or confusion, inability to get up, dizziness, etc.). This is a medical emergency that must be treated quickly because it can cause death."
According to doctors, some symptoms of sunstroke can be confused with signs of a stroke, severe allergies to certain medications, acute bacterial infections and thyrotoxic crisis. “All of these conditions, including heat stroke itself, can be extremely dangerous, so you should not make a diagnosis yourself. In this situation, it would be correct to immediately call an ambulance team,” warns Ivan Golubev.
While waiting for paramedics, the victim must be given first aid.
Feeling hot
Menopause
Diabetes
16278 24 August
IMPORTANT!
The information in this section cannot be used for self-diagnosis and self-treatment.
In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, diagnostic tests should be prescribed only by the attending physician. To make a diagnosis and properly prescribe treatment, you should contact your doctor. The feeling of heat that a person experiences occurs due to a sharp expansion and blood filling of small subcutaneous vessels. This condition is called arterial hyperemia. At the same time, the skin turns red and becomes hot.
The lumen of blood vessels is regulated by the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. Its changes depend on signals from the vasomotor (vasomotor) center of the central nervous system, hormones, pyrogenic (heat-causing) substances entering the blood, and a number of other factors.
Types of sensations of heat
The vessels are constantly influenced by factors that have a vasoconstrictor or vasodilator effect. For example, under stress, blood vessels narrow under the influence of the hormone adrenaline, and the skin turns pale. At the end of the stressful situation, the vessels relax and fill with blood.
Pathological arterial hyperemia, which is accompanied by a feeling of heat, develops either under the influence of irritants (infections, toxins, tissue breakdown products from burns, pyrogenic substances), or due to a violation of nervous regulation.
There are
neurogenic
arterial hyperemia (occurring in response to irritation of nerve endings) and
metabolic
(caused by the action of local chemical factors). An example of neurogenic arterial hyperemia is redness of the face and neck during hypertension, menopausal syndrome, and also during strong emotions.
Blood electrolytes have a metabolic effect on vascular tension: calcium and sodium constrict blood vessels and increase blood pressure, while potassium and magnesium, on the contrary, dilate them. Metabolic regulators include carbon dioxide, organic acids, and hormones.
Possible causes of feeling hot
Hot, hot and spicy foods can cause a rush of blood to the skin and a feeling of heat.
Alcohol has the same effect on the body.
, which promotes the dilation of blood vessels.
Taking certain medications
can also cause a feeling of heat spreading throughout the body. These include vasodilators, hormonal agents, antidepressants, etc.
The causes of arterial hyperemia and, as a result, feelings of heat can be different. If the regulation of vascular tone is disturbed, arterial hypertension may develop, accompanied by a sudden increase in blood pressure - a hypertensive crisis. The most common cause of this condition is hypertension. However, in a third of cases, arterial hypertension is caused by diseases of the internal organs: acute glomerulonephritis and other kidney damage, adrenal tumors and other diseases of the endocrine system. The magnitude of the rise in blood pressure during a hypertensive crisis depends on the age and individual characteristics of the person. At a young age, symptoms of a crisis may occur at a lower level of blood pressure, and at an older age – at a higher level.
A sharp increase in blood pressure is accompanied by headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances (“floaters”, double vision). Possible numbness of the limbs, a feeling of pins and needles, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath.
Due to a violation of nervous regulation, chills occur, followed by fever, and increased sweating. The end of the crisis is accompanied by frequent urination.
Increased blood pressure and the symptoms accompanying this condition also occur with an adrenal tumor - pheochromocytoma
and other hormone-producing tumors. The tumor secretes large amounts of catecholamines (adrenaline and norepinephrine).
Clinical signs of pheochromocytoma may include headache, sweating, increased heart rate, irritability, weight loss, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, weakness, and fatigue. In some cases, patients may experience fever, shortness of breath, hot flashes, increased thirst, increased urination, dizziness, and tinnitus.
Many women complain of hot flashes during menopause
. Changes in hormonal levels occur even before the cessation of menstruation, during premenopause (menopausal transition). At first, its manifestations are insignificant, and most often they are not given importance or are attributed to the consequences of fatigue and mental stress. Hormonal and metabolic changes, in particular, a decrease in the level of estrogen, progesterone and an increase in the production of GnRH, are accompanied by hot flashes, which can be repeated several times a day.
Women describe them as a periodic short-term feeling of heat followed by chills, increased sweating, and rapid heartbeat.
In most cases, hot flashes only slightly affect your well-being.
Arterial hyperemia and a feeling of heat can be a sign of dysfunction of the thyroid gland, for example, with thyrotoxicosis
. Patients with thyrotoxicosis complain of general weakness, fatigue, irritability, sleep disturbance, sweating, trembling fingers, palpitations, and sometimes pain in the heart area.
Despite the increased appetite, patients with thyrotoxicosis lose weight.
Violation of thermoregulation, which occurs due to accelerated metabolism, leads to an increase in body temperature and causes a constant feeling of heat. The skin becomes warm and moist, the skin vessels dilate, which is accompanied by redness of the face. Sweating increases, nails become brittle, and hair falls out.
Sometimes hot flashes and a feeling of heat in combination with high blood pressure occur with diabetes mellitus
. These symptoms are accompanied by general malaise, sweating, thirst, and an increase in the volume of urine produced.
Which doctors should I contact?
If symptoms such as fever and hot flashes appear regularly, you need to contact, who, based on the complaints and tests, will refer you to or.
Diagnostics and examinations
The appearance of periodic hot flashes, accompanied by a feeling of heat, sweating, and redness of the facial skin, requires mandatory diagnosis.
The doctor evaluates the patient's complaints, taking into account age, gender and concomitant diseases. When blood pressure increases, turning into crises, it is necessary to determine the nature of the pathology - primary (associated with a violation of nervous regulation) or secondary (due to diseases of the internal organs). For this purpose, a clinical blood test and a general urine test, a urine test according to Nechiporenko, a blood test for glucose, cholesterol, and creatinine are prescribed.
First aid for sunstroke
The main rule here is to quickly move to a cool room and gradually reduce body temperature.
“If you were unable to protect yourself from exposure to the sun or you need to provide first aid to a person with sunstroke, then, of course, it would be best to consult a doctor, and until he arrives, move to a shaded place or a cool room where there is enough oxygen and a normal level of humidity and get rid of outer clothing. You also need to drink cool water, preferably mineral water, or regular water, but with added sugar and salt on the tip of a teaspoon. This will help restore the water-salt balance,” advises Valery Vasiliev. You should also place the patient on his back and begin to gradually cool his body using physical methods. “You can blow on an undressed patient, make a wet wrap, spray water at room temperature on him, apply “cooling” bags to the armpits and groin areas, and neck,” adds Andrey Besedin.
If for some reason it is impossible to undress, remove at least those items of clothing that are squeezing your chest and neck: unbutton your shirt collar, loosen your belt.
All these methods will help reduce body temperature to normal values and restore the functioning of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
How to avoid sunstroke?
The simplest thing is to moderate your exposure to the sun in hot weather, but if this is not possible, follow these rules:
- Avoid intense physical activity outdoors on hot sunny days between 11:00 and 17:00, or stay in the shade of trees.
- Choose the right clothes - light, loose, made of cotton fabrics; Be sure to wear a hat.
- Keep an eye on your water balance. “Maintain a water regime at the rate of 30 ml of liquid per 1 kg of your own weight,” recommends Valery Vasiliev.
“The loss of fluid should be restored gradually, using for this purpose chilled mineral water, weakly brewed green tea, and natural diluted juices. It is also worth limiting the consumption of fatty and protein foods,” adds Andrey Besedin.
- Do not drink alcohol or other psychotropic drugs that affect thermoregulation processes. “And finally, remember that a healthy body is less susceptible to external factors. Therefore, your daily routine, diet (in particular drinking regimen) and regular physical activity should be your faithful companions on an ongoing basis. Consider all these recommendations, follow safety measures in the sun, and then sunstroke will bypass you,” sums up Valery Vasiliev.
Treatment methods
The treatment regimen is selected individually, depending on the exact diagnosis, the patient’s age, additional pathologies and other factors. Doctors at the Clinical Institute of the Brain will select the optimal methods for treatment in a hospital or at home. The patient may be prescribed:
- antibiotic therapy - treatment with antibiotics brings results for bacterial infections, as well as as a preventive measure for purulent complications;
- a gentle diet is a prerequisite for disorders of the digestive tract, gastritis and peptic ulcers, as well as for poisoning;
- drip administration of electrolyte solutions - prescribed for dehydration, acute intoxication and other pathologies;
- sorbents - drugs that bind toxins in food poisoning and remove them naturally;
- other medications - in different cases, medications may be prescribed to improve brain nutrition, to strengthen blood vessels, anti-nausea medications and painkillers;
- surgical intervention is necessary only in cases where drug treatment does not bring results, including to remove tumors.
At the Clinical Brain Institute, you can undergo a complete diagnosis for headaches, fever, weakness and nausea. Doctors strongly recommend not to self-medicate and to seek medical help when the first symptoms appear.
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