Answering the questions about sunstroke, Pediatrician Dr. İhsan Başpınar stated that it is a picture that occurs when individuals stay under the sun for a long time or when the body produces excessive heat. Dr. Başpınar said, “The center that provides heat balance in humans is in the hypothalamus region of the brain. In such a case, this center is deactivated. Accordingly, the body cannot lose enough heat to return to its normal temperature, the body temperature rises too much and destroys the organs.”
Stating that sunstroke is usually observed in weather above 40 degrees Celsius, Pediatrician Dr. İhsan Başpınar from BHT CLINIC Istanbul Tema Hospital said, “In some special cases; children, the elderly and patients can also occur even below 40 degrees Celsius. The first symptom of sunstroke is heat exhaustion caused by loss of fluid and salt from the body. With the progression of these findings, symptoms of sunstroke occur.”
“Elderly people and children are at risk in hot weather”
“Anyone who stays under the sun for a long time can be exposed to sunstroke,” said Dr. Başpınar, ”But especially; children, the elderly, heart diseases, diabetes diseases, alcohol addicts, individuals with congenital sweating disorders, some medications, people sensitive to heat, marathon runners and heavy sports, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and mental illnesses are more at risk.”
Dr. Başpınar said the symptoms of sunstroke include hot and dry skin, inability to sweat, rapid pulse, headache, muscle cramps, skin discoloration, rapid breathing, dilated pupils, drowsiness, drowsiness, incoherent speech, confusion, irritability, daydreaming, not recognizing the environment, convulsions and loss of consciousness.
Emphasizing that sunstroke is a condition that requires urgent treatment, Dr. Başpınar stated that it should be treated in a hospital environment and first of all, the body temperature should be lowered rapidly, “The most effective method is to remove the patient's clothes and put him in a cold water bath. If this is not possible, the patient can be wrapped in wet cloths and cold can be applied to the arms and legs. Especially cold liquids should be applied to the armpits and groin.”
“If left untreated, it can cause heart and kidney failure”
Stating that it would be useful to take the patient to a cool environment, cooling with a fan and elevating the feet, Dr. Başpınar said the following:
“Patients who are conscious should be given a little water or salty buttermilk. It should be aimed to reduce the fever to 38.5C from the rectum. In the hospital environment, intravenous fluid therapy is applied. The effect of antipyretics may be limited. Sunstroke can have fatal consequences if left untreated and complications such as heart and kidney failure in some patients increase the risk of death even days later.”
Finally, Dr. Başpınar recommended that at least 2-2.5 liters of fluid should be consumed daily and light-colored cotton or linen clothes should be preferred in summer.
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