heat stroke
Sun-induced medical emergency
Heat stroke is a dangerous condition caused by prolonged exposure to high temperatures, when the body can no longer regulate its own heat.
Core temperature rises to dangerous levels, potentially causing organ damage, seizures, or death.
Unlike heat exhaustion, heat stroke requires emergency medical treatment.
The marathon runner collapsed from heat stroke when temperatures exceeded 100 degrees.
Year's warmest season
- heatwaveProlonged abnormally high temperatures
- tropicalOf hot, humid regions
- humidContaining much moisture
- scorchingExtremely hot, burning
sweltering · equator · desert · monsoon · drought · arid · extreme weather
Harmful excess of effort
- dehydrationExcessive fluid loss
- humidityMoisture in atmosphere
- heatwaveProlonged abnormally high temperatures
- prolonged exposureContinued subjection over time
alcohol · overdressing · extreme temperatures · poor ventilation
Dangerously elevated body temperature
- collapseSudden structural failure
- confusionMental disorientation or bewilderment
- disorientationLoss of spatial awareness
- seizuresInvoluntary convulsions or takings
unconsciousness · delirium · nausea · vomiting · headache · dizziness · fainting · tachycardia
Crisis response number
- ambulanceEmergency medical transport
- paramedicsEmergency medical technicians
- ERAcute care department
- ICUAcute care ward
hospitalization · triage · cooling · ice packs · cold water immersion · life-threatening · critical · urgent
Bodily fluid replenishment
- sunscreenUV-blocking skin cream
- shadeDarkness from blocked light
- rest breaksPauses for recuperation
- loose clothingGarments fitting loosely
electrolytes · acclimatization · water intake · air conditioning · fan · sunhat · pacing · sports drinks
Advanced in age
- infantsVery young children
- athletesSports competitors
- military personnelMembers of armed forces
- hikersPeople walking outdoors recreationally
construction workers · farmers · football players · chronic illness · medications · unacclimatized · homeless · nursing homes
summer
Year's warmest season
- heatwaveProlonged abnormally high temperatures
- tropicalOf hot, humid regions
- humidContaining much moisture
scorching · sweltering · equator · desert · monsoon · drought · arid · extreme weather
overexertion
Harmful excess of effort
- dehydrationExcessive fluid loss
- humidityMoisture in atmosphere
- heatwaveProlonged abnormally high temperatures
prolonged exposure · alcohol · overdressing · extreme temperatures · poor ventilation
hyperthermia
Dangerously elevated body temperature
- collapseSudden structural failure
- confusionMental disorientation or bewilderment
- disorientationLoss of spatial awareness
seizures · unconsciousness · delirium · nausea · vomiting · headache · dizziness · fainting · tachycardia · hypotension
911
Crisis response number
- ambulanceEmergency medical transport
- paramedicsEmergency medical technicians
- ERAcute care department
ICU · hospitalization · triage · cooling · ice packs · cold water immersion · life-threatening · critical · urgent · medevac
hydration
Bodily fluid replenishment
- sunscreenUV-blocking skin cream
- shadeDarkness from blocked light
- rest breaksPauses for recuperation
loose clothing · electrolytes · acclimatization · water intake · air conditioning · fan · sunhat · pacing · sports drinks
elderly
Advanced in age
- infantsVery young children
- athletesSports competitors
- military personnelMembers of armed forces
hikers · construction workers · farmers · football players · chronic illness · medications · unacclimatized · homeless · nursing homes
- strokesbackstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, crawl, freestyle
- fatal hazardsaccidents, drowning, falls, poisoning, overdose
- heat illnesses
- Heat responsessweating, panting, vasodilation, acclimatization, cooling systems
- workplace injuriescuts, burns, fractures, sprains, lacerations
- worksite hazardselectrocution, cave-in, falling objects, chemical exposure, asbestos
heat strokehypothermia
Dangerously low body temperature
frostbite · cold exposure · chilblains · trench foot · freezing