troke.
What is heat stroke? Heat stroke is a type of hypothermia which is an unusually increased body temperature accompanied by physical signs and changes in the function of the nervous system. Also known as sun stroke, this medical situation is considered an emergency and could be fatal if not treated promptly and correctly. When a child gets over exposed to heat, the temperature of the body goes up and its capacity to cool down is broken.
Kids are particularly susceptible to heat stroke. Allowing them to play outside during a very hot day or dressing them with clothes that are too warm for the hot weather, or leaving them in a parked vehicle which is just plain reckless – this can leave them dehydrated and end up with heat stroke. Bad sunburn also increases the risk of this deadly condition.
What are the symptoms of child heat stroke? The first sign of possible heat stroke in a child is heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion includes moist and cool skin, fatigue, thirst and cramped stomach or legs. If these symptoms progress to heat stroke, then the parent should observe the skin if it is red, dry and hot. Get the child’s temperature and if it measures 39.4 degree Celsius and above but the patient is not sweating, then he or she might be suffering from sunstroke. Other signs are quick pulse, confusion, dizziness, vomiting, restlessness, headache, fast but low breathing, unconsciousness, and unusual activities like a weak response when the baby is tickled or called. Common signs of dehydration should also be observed like tearless cries, sunken eyes, sticky or dry mucous membranes, less urination and irritability.
If you think that your child has sun-caused stroke, don’t panic. Have someone call for an ambulance. What you must do is to bring down the child’s temperature as fast as you can. Remember that as soon as you do something, there is a greater chance for the child to survive. One must also take note that severe heat stroke can leave the child unconscious really fast and this should be avoided.
To cool the patient down, take all the child’s clothes off and put him or her in a cool place. If you’re still outside and exposed in the sun, you must find a shade or cover. But, it is more advisable if you bring the patient inside an air-conditioned building. Elevate his head with a pillow or a towel or blanket that you have folded. Wash the child’s body using a towel or washcloth that you have soaked in cold water. Continue doing this while you’re waiting for medical help to arrive. It will also help if there is an electric fan that you can use to fan the child, if not, and then find any material like a magazine or newspaper that you can use. Speak to the child, comfort him, and tell him that he has to stay awake and that the ambulance is on its way. Do not give him something to drink and don’t attempt to let him take acetaminophen because it won’t do anything to bring down the temperature.
However, if the baby or toddler is displaying symptoms of heat exhaustion that has not developed into heat stroke yet, then bring him or her inside as fast as possible. It would be better if it is in an air-conditioned area. Let the child drink lots of water that is not too cold to avoid stomach cramps. A cool bath will be good and playing inside for the meantime is important for the child to heed. If you don’t see improvements, rush him to the hospital.
It is very easy for a child’s body to overheat, so as a parent, one must be very cautious about letting their kids go out and play active games during a hot day. Help them get used to the super hot weather by allowing them to play outside a tad at a time and lengthening this time as the week progress. Light and breezy clothes should be worn and increased intake of liquids and playtime breaks should be imposed especially during summer months. Know when to keep the kids inside when the temperature is too hot to bear.
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