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Severe headache
may be a sign of
heat stroke |
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Heat stroke occurs when the body’s heat regulation system becomes impaired as a result of prolonged exposure to heat. This leads to a build-up of heat.
Signs of heat stroke are:
- Headache,
- attacks of dizziness,
- nausea,
- a rise in body temperature to life-threatening levels (to over 40 degrees Celsius),
- hot and dry skin,
- an extremely red head.
Causes of heat stroke are:
- Excessive exposure to the sun,
- excessively warm clothing,
- high fluid loss (insufficient fluid intake and severe sweating),
- physical exertion in hot surroundings,
- unusually high air humidity and poor air circulation,
- medicaments (e.g. antihistamines).
The following measures should be taken:
- Bring the person affected to a cool place, lay down with elevated upper body,
- loosen clothing, place cold compresses on neck, forehead, legs and arms,
- fan air,
- call the emergency doctor.
Heat stroke can lead to unconsciousness and, if not treated, can even be life-threatening!
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