Sunstroke occurs, when the sun shines on a person’s head and parts of the neck for a long period of time. Unlike sunburns, which are caused by overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation, a sunstroke is the product of the sun’s long waves which produce heat (heat radiation). When experiencing a sunstroke, the body fails to regulate heat and this will most times end up in a high body temperature and fever.
A sunstroke is a type of heatstroke or hyperthermia, where the cource of the heat acting on one’s body is the sun. Sunstroke is the most common type of heatstroke and occurs due to a combination of dehydration and overheating of the body.
Symptoms of sunstroke include: Hot and dry skin, rapid heartbeat and pulse, sweating stops, rapid breathing, increase in body temperature, muscle cramps, headaches, nausea, confusion and dizziness.
Treatment for sunstroke:
It is important to cool the body down as soon as possible and get the circulation back to normal. The quicker you will act the higher the chance of not damaging any organs and the higher the chance of survival. Avoid sunlight exposure altogether, this is what ultimately casuses a sunstroke.
- Move to a cool area. Preferably an air conditioned room or building.
- Take off the persons clothes. Taking off clothing will let the sweat do its job and cool the body.
- Drinking cold water with ice will also help reduce body temperature.