What Is Sunstroke?

Every summer you may encounter the term ’sunstroke’ in news reports or magazines. Most likely you would see warnings and tips on how you can avoid the condition. However, not everyone knows that the condition even exists. So, what is sunstroke anyway?  And, why have we included a section on heat exhaustion in a publication about tanning?  Well, primarily because heat exhaustion and/or sunstroke is possible for someone who overdoes their sun tanning experience.  Too much time in a tanning bed can produce the same results as too much time in the sun.

General Description

Sunstroke is also called Heatstroke. It is basically a condition that is life-threatening and happens when there is a failure in the heat-regulating system of your body, all because of extreme exposure to intensely high temperatures, extreme heat production or both.

In cases like this, your body is unable to get rid of heat adequately so that it could return to its normal state or temperature. There are also instances in which your body temperature could rise to extremely high levels, which could damage major organs.

It could also be started by heat exhaustion, which is when you experience intense loss of fluids along with salt in your sweat, which results in observable weakness. The condition of heat exhaustion would transform into sunstroke once your body could no longer keep up with maintaining normal body temperature.

The Causes

If the environment is hot, your body rids itself of its excess heat by increasing blood flow to your skin, breathing out warm air and sweating. However, these mechanisms can sometimes be overwhelmed. Hence, this leads to heat-related signs and symptoms, which, when left untreated, could lead to sunstroke.

If the temperature of your blood rises above normal range, your brain’s hypothalamus, which is considered to be the control center, would signal your circulatory system.  This sets off an increase in blood flow, blood vessels enlarge, particularly in the skin. The more blood flowing through your enlarged vessels, the more it is possible for excess heat to pass into cooler air.

If the whole process isn’t sufficient to cool your blood, your sweat glands would start producing sweat, which in turn would cool your skin when it evaporates. However, there are times that the temperature of the air is very high; hence, the blood might not be able to cool down adequately even while circulating through your skin.

Additionally, if you have lost too much fluid, your blood volume decreases and there is an increase in your body temperature. If there is a continued generation of heat in your body and it happens faster than getting rid of heat, your core temperature would rise to dangerous levels, causing sunstroke or heat exhaustion.

Activities And The Environment

Usually, you get this condition after very strenuous activity in an environment with a very high temperature. This also happens if you are not used to the environment that you just worked in. Too much exercise during summer is a common cause too. Another reason is when you have a fever and the environment contributes to the hotness of your body. If the weather is humid, this could be a factor in rendering your body’s cooling mechanism since your sweating system would be less effective. Your clothes are an important factor too. If you overdress by wearing too many layers of clothes in a hot environment, then for sure you are at high risk of developing the condition. There are also instances where overeating and having high doses of alcohol could be contributing factors.

Nevertheless, the main cause would be your body’s loss of NaCl (sodium chloride) or salt, rather than dehydration.

Who Can Get The Condition?

Basically, anybody could get sunstroke, as long as they’re exposed to high temperatures. However, there are population groups that are considered to be more prone in getting it. Here are some of them:

1. Young children
2. The elderly
3. Those that have congestive heart failure and Arteriosclerosis
4. Alcoholics
5. Diabetics

Signs And Symptoms

The most common signs and symptoms of the condition include:

1. Inability to sweat
2. Hot, dry skin
3. Flushed skin, which develops into paleness or purplish color
4. Hyperventilation or shallow and rapid breathing
5. High pulse rates
6. High body temperature (above 40°C)
7. Muscle cramps
8. Headaches/ Migraines
9. Dilated pupils

If ever you feel that you have the following symptoms, it is best that you consult a doctor and drink some liquid to cool yourself down. It is also advised that you find a place with good ventilation to avoid passing out.