Merck Manuals Details Four Things Everyone Should Know About Heatstroke

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Jul 11, 2022, 15:15 ET

Doctor shares tips for identifying heatstroke and actions to take

KENILWORTH, N.J., July 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Summertime often means lots of outdoor activities that are good our health and wellbeing. But when the body gets too hot it can lead to a variety of heat-induced illnesses – the most serious of which is heatstroke. Heatstroke is very dangerous and can develop very quickly, which is why it's important to be able to recognize the signs – and actions you can take – if you or someone you know becomes overcome with heat.

In a new editorial on MerckManuals.com, Dr. Diane Birnbaumer, Emeritus Professor of Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles and Senior Clinical Educator in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, shares four aspects of heatstroke to keep in mind this summer.

1. Heatstroke is a True Medical Emergency

Heatstroke occurs when the body can no longer get rid of the heat it absorbs. The key symptom to watch for is an altered mental state, says Birnbaumer, which may include sudden confusion or odd behavior. A person may have seizures or go into a coma. This is an emergency situation, and every minute counts. The person should get immediate medical attention. Even if they start to feel better, they still need to see a doctor.

2. Anyone Can Get Heatstroke

There's a misconception that relatively young, relatively healthy people aren't at risk for heatstroke, and that it can't happen unless it's extremely hot, says Birnbaumer. The reality is that heatstroke can affect anyone – young or old – including children.

3. Cooling is the #1 Treatment

If someone is disoriented and suffering from heatstroke, the first step should be to call 911. Then, do everything you can to cool that person off, says Birnbaumer. A few key actions to take:

Immediately seek air conditioning or shade
Remove clothing or excess layers. Simulate sweating by using cool towels or misting
Hydrate the person with cool water or other fluids

Medications designed to reduce temperatures from a fever should not be used to address heat illnesses.

4. Heatstroke Can be Prevented

Heatstroke is scary, but it can be prevented. If you know you're going to be in the heat or working up a sweat, a few precautions can go a long way in protecting yourself. Wear loose-fitting, light clothing that protects you from the sun without making you too hot. Drink a lot of fluids to start the day with a "full tank." If you cannot avoid being in the heat, try to take frequent breaks in a shaded area or even better, an air-conditioned room.

You can read more about heatstroke in Dr. Birnbaumer's editorial on MerckManuals.com.

About The Merck Manuals and MSD Manuals

First published in 1899 as a small reference book for physicians and pharmacists, The Merck Manual grew in size and scope to become one of the world's most widely used comprehensive medical resources for professionals and consumers. As The Manual evolved, it continually expanded the reach and depth of its offerings to reflect the mission of providing the best medical information to a wide cross-section of users, including medical professionals and students, veterinarians and veterinary students, and consumers. In 2015, The Manuals kicked off Global Medical Knowledge 2020, a global initiative with the goal to make the best current medical information accessible by up to three billion professionals and patients around the world by 2020. The Manuals achieved that goal, and today its medical information is available in more than 241 countries and in 13 languages. It's continuing its ambitious mission through outreach, education and creating new reliable medical resources. For access to thousands of medical topics with images, videos and a constantly expanding set of resources, visit MerckManuals.com or MSDManuals.com and connect with us on social media: For Consumers in the U.S. and its territories: Twitter and Facebook. For Professionals in the U.S. and its territories: Twitter and Facebook

About Merck

At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

SOURCE The Merck Manuals