The ‘silent’ symptom of deadly heat stroke you might miss – and 5 other signs
AS the hot weather continues to soar it’s important to remember that sweltering conditions can be dangerous.
This weekend the UK reached a blistering 32C – the warmest temperature of the year so far.
While it can be fun to bask in the heat and get your tan on, the current high temperatures can bring a real danger of heatstroke.
Heatstroke is a serious condition that is commonly caused by hot weather or exercise.
In this state, the body is no longer able to cool itself down and internal temperature reaches dangerously high levels.
The condition can affect anyone, but over 75, babies, people who have a serious or long-term illness are could be at greater risk, according to the NHS.
One silent symptom of the illness is feeling very hot but not sweating.
If someone is showing signs of heat exhaustion they need to be cooled down and given fluids, the NHS adds.
What are the other heatstroke symptoms?
If you sit out in the sunshine for too long, you might experience something called “heat exhaustion”.
This is the body’s natural response to overheating, excessive loss of water and salt, usually through excessive sweating.
When this happens you may experience headache, dizziness and confusion, feeling sick and cramps – which can be easily mistaken for heatstroke.
However for heat exhaustion, the NHS says your symptoms should clear within 30 minutes of cooling down.
Heatstroke, on the other hand, is more dangerous lasts for longer (but is thankfully, much less common).
There is cause for concern when you start to exhibit these five extreme symptoms, as they may be signs of heatstroke:
- Feeling confused
- Becoming unresponsive or losing consciousness
- Having a fit or seizure
- Having a temperature above 40C
- Having rapid or irregular breathing
The NHS recommends that you call 999 if you exhibit these symptoms.
How can I stay cool?
Brits love nothing more than basking in the glorious heat.
But the hot weather is as dangerous as it is joyous.
Experts say it can take as little as ten minutes to get sunburnt and 15 minutes to get heat stroke, in a worst case scenario.
Here are some ways you can stay cool in the warmer weather, according to the NHS.
- Keep out of the heat if you can
- If you have to go outside, stay in the shade especially between 11am and 3pm, wear sunscreen, a hat and light clothes
- Avoid exercise or activity that makes you hotter
- Have cold food and drinks, avoid alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks
- Have a cool shower or put cool water on your skin or clothes
- Close windows during the day and open them at night when the temperature outside has gone down
- Electric fans can help if the temperature is below 35C