SUNSTROKE

A Sunstroke is an acute, life-threatening condition in which the body's heat-regulating system fails, due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures, excessive production of heat or commonly a combination of the two. The body is unable to lose heat adequately in order to return to its normal temperature. Body temperature rises to very high levels, which can damage major organs.
It can be further preceded if the body is exposed to heat exhaustion or continuous strenuous activity.

Sunstroke occurs when body's thermostat cannot keep body cool. Body relies on water evaporation to stay cool. As temperature rises, body starts reacting by sweating. When this sweat evaporates, it cools body. The amount of moisture in the air (humidity) determines how readily sweat evaporates. In very dry air, sweat evaporates easily, quickly cooling your body; but in very humid air, sweat does not evaporate. It may collect on the skin or run off body without affecting body's climbing temperature.

People particularly susceptible to sunstroke are young children, the elderly, individuals not used to physical activity and concomitant excessive sun exposure (such as overseas visitors walking in the mountains in Africa), people suffering from certain chronic medical conditions, and those involved in certain sporting activities. Skin disorders such as scleroderma can interfere with ability to sweat. Dehydrating medications; for example, the diuretics furosemide (Lasix) or hydrochlorothiaszide (Esidrix) make less water available in the body for sweat, thereby crippling body's cooling system.

Symptoms-

• Dizziness
• Severe headache
• Nausea
• Hot, dry skin without sweat
• High pulse rate
• High body temperature
• Unconsciousness
• Fatigue
• Slurred speech or hallucinations
• Hyperventilation( rapid and shallow breathing)
• Muscle cramps