A heat stroke occurs when the body is unable to regulate its temperature and under normal circumstances, it automatically (thermoregulation mechanism): the body temperature rises rapidly, the wrong ends of the sweating mechanism (as part of thermoregulation), and therefore can not reduce the body temperature, so that it reaches 41 º C or higher within 10 to 15 minutes, a situation described as hyperthermia. Heat exhaustion is a vital and urgent that it can cause death or induce irreversible brain damage.

Warning signs of heatstroke

- An oral temperature above the 39.5 º C reaching 41 º C in the heat.

- Red, hot and dry, no sweating (anhidrosis or failure of the sweating is a late sign in the heat, so in a first phase, with 41 º C, the victim may still sweating profusely) .

- Strong and rapid pulse (tachycardia).

- Rapid (tachypnea).

- Headache pulsatile.

- Dizziness.

- Nausea.

- Disorientation, agitation, delusions or mental confusion.

- Eat.

Under these circumstances, be taken immediately, and at the same place of the accident, the following measures:

- Place the victim into the shade.

Slacken-belts, corbats, cords zapatos.etc

Lighten-

clothes and barefoot.

- Cool the victim rapidly using the procedure at hand. For example, immerse the victim in a bath of cold water, place it under a cold shower, watering with cold water using a garden hose, soak in cold water using a sponge, or if the humidity is low, wrap the victim in a sheet soaked in cold water and fan vigorously.

- Monitor your body temperature and continue cooling efforts until the temperature drops to 38 º C.

- If the ambulance is delayed with appropriate medical or paramedical staff, call the hospital to obtain instructions on what to do with the patient.

- Provide medical assistance as soon as possible.

Sometimes the muscles of a victim of heat exhaustion began to shrink in an uncontrolled manner. If that happens, it is necessary to take measures so that the victim is not self involuntarily, although one must not place any object in the mouth or give fluids by mouth.

If you have

vomiting, make sure that their upper airways are open, which should be placed on the victim lying on its side.

- Infants, children and elderly, who have a thermoregulatory system less efficient.

- People who suffer from profuse diarrhea, such as the "tourist diarrhea, are more likely to get dehydrated and thus foster the" heat ".

- People who live in countries with cold climates and who usually travel to hot countries, may have more difficulty in adapting their body temperature. In countries or areas of countries with high humidity increases the risk of "heat stroke", since the high humidity reduces the efficiency of sweating and reduced loss of body heat.

- People who suffer from diseases that reduce the efficiency of thermoregulation, such as diabetes, obesity and chronic heart failure.

- People who drink alcohol excessively, since this leads to excessive dehydration of the body

Prevent the risk of suffering a heat stroke:

- Staying in the shade as long as possible.

- Drink plenty of water.

- Avoid alcohol.

- Take it calmly in the hot days, avoiding excessive exercise.

Cover-head with a hat, scarf