Summer glorious summer — oh, how have we awaited your return!
Before you fill your head with dreams of lounging in the sand and glistening golden skin, don’t forget that summer is also the season of heat stroke (also known as sunstroke).
It’s not something that you can just ignore, given how high the temperature can go during the Australian summer, especially if you are living on the Gold Coast in South East Queensland.
Heat Stroke Is A Danger In QLD
In Queensland, the average temperature is 32 degrees Celsius, with coastal regions like Cairns experiencing up to 35 degrees or more. Yikes!
So before all the summer holidays commence, learn how to avoid heat stroke to keep yourself and your family healthy this season.
Who is in more danger from heat stroke?
Everyone, even the healthiest person, can suffer from the effects of excessive heat brought about by the hot season. However, there are groups of people who are at a higher risk of getting heat stroke.
If you belong to any of the groups below, then you need to be extra careful this summer:
- Elderly people aged 65 years old or more, especially when living alone
- Babies and toddlers
- Pregnant women
- People with lung disease, high blood pressure, or a heart condition
- People taking medication for mental illnesses
- People suffering from obesity or who are overweight
- Athletes and other people doing intense physical activity in the sun
- People who work outdoors
How do you get heat stroke and what causes it?
Sun stroke is a condition where the body becomes overheated because of prolonged exposure to high temperatures.
The most serious case of heat stroke happens when the body temperature reaches 40 degrees Celsius or higher.
At this point, the body fails to self-regulate, causing serious illness, organ failure, or even fatality to the person who experiences it.
People with heatstroke can also develop shock or slip into a coma. High body temperature can lead to:
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
- Brain swelling
- Kidney failure
- Liver failure
- Metabolic dysfunction
- Nerve damage
- Reduced blood flow to the heart and other circulatory problems
How to prevent heat stroke?
According to various reports, a heat wave during summer is the most dangerous type of natural disaster in Australia.
Relocating to places with better weather conditions during the summer season is a brilliant idea if you are particularly susceptible to sun stroke.
But if you can’t do this, there are still many other ways to avoid heat stroke in summer.
- Drinking lots of water – You must drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration. Remember to drink even if you don’t feel thirsty. Experts agree that drinking 2 to 3 litres of water is ideal during summer. Also, try to avoid caffeinated and alcoholic drinks because they dehydrate the body even more.
- Eating cold foods – Aside from cold water, fruits, salads, and a portion of ice cream can also help keep your temperature down. Avoid eating hot meals because these can elevate your body heat.
- Keeping the body cool – The best thing you can do to keep your body cool is to stay out of the sun. As much as possible, stay under shaded areas and take advantage of fans or air conditioners. Take a shower or dip in an indoor pool. If you feel hot, apply cold compress on your forehead and the back of your neck to help you cool down.
- Wearing lighter clothes – Wear clothes that have light materials and light colours. Choose cotton or linen shirts or dresses as these are more breathable fabrics. It’s also more ideal to wear loose clothing and allow air to help regulate your body temperature.
- Avoiding crowded places – The lack of flowing fresh air also causes the body temperature to go up. So, try to avoid crowded places, especially in enclosed areas.
- Being informed – Check the weather forecast to anticipate the day’s temperature. If the weather is not quite favourable, you may want to consider postponing your outdoor activity. This will help you to avoid heat stroke from happening to your family.
Sun Stroke Symptoms
Prevention is always the best way to avoid heat stroke in the Australian summer.
Nevertheless, you still need to know the signs and symptoms of a heat stroke so you can help save those who may be experiencing the effects of sun stroke.
A person could be experiencing heat stroke if you notice the following symptoms:
- Red, dry, and hot skin
- Dry and swollen tongue
- Rapid shallow breathing
- Rapid pulse
- Unconsciousness
- Severe headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Slurred speech
- Dizziness and confusion
How do you fix heat stroke?
If you suspect yourself or someone else is suffering from heat stroke – Get help from the nearest hospital or doctor ASAP.
Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition so it must be treated as soon as possible.
Once you recognise these symptoms, whether on yourself or others, the best thing to do is get medical attention immediately.
You can do so by dialling ‘000’, engaging Doctor home visit service, or going to the hospital or clinic near you.
If you are waiting for an ambulance to arrive or you are intransit to a hospital, try to cool the person as much as possible by doing things like:
- Applying ice packs to the neck, groin and armpits to help them cool down
- Encouraging them to drink slightly salted fluids, such as sports drinks or salted water
- Have them lay down in a cool, shady, well-ventilated spot
- Immerse them in cool water, if possible
- Mist the person with water and blow air across their bodies (evaporative cooling)
- Monito their breathing carefully and remove any airway blockages
- Do not administer any medications, including aspirin and acetaminophen
- Remove clothing that is tight or heavy
Recovery from an episode of heat stroke
During your recovery after suffering from heatstroke, you can expect changes in your body temperature for several weeks.
Experts recommend that you should avoid physical activity for at least a week.
You will also need periodic tests to monitor your kidney and liver function. Even temporary complications of heatstroke can take several months to go away.
After you’ve had heatstroke once, you’re more likely to get this heat illness again. Take preventive measures any time you plan to be in hot conditions – refer to our list above of ways to avoid heat stroke.
We are a Gold Coast chemist open til late
Residents of the Gold Coast can also visit Greg Keily Chemist for all heat stroke-related prescriptions.
We are a family-owned and operated late-night pharmacy that’s open every day from 7 am to 9 pm to help in all incidents brought about by heatwaves this summer.
For further advice, please call us on (07) 555 7877 or contact us.
Further Reading
You might also be interested in our article about treating sunburn.
