Summer is prone to heatstroke manifestations, which can cause dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, and in severe cases, may lead to unconsciousness. Severe heatstroke can even endanger a person's life. Therefore, it is important to take measures to avoid heatstroke in hot and high-temperature environments to prevent such manifestations. Many people are unaware of when they should take measures to avoid heatstroke. How does heatstroke occur? Let's take a look.

Causes of Heatstroke

Heatstroke is an acute disease primarily manifested by central nervous system and cardiovascular dysfunction, caused by dysfunction of the thermoregulatory center, failure of the sweat glands, and excessive loss of water and electrolytes in hot and humid environments during the hot season. Based on clinical manifestations, heatstroke can be classified into prodromal heatstroke, mild heatstroke, and severe heatstroke. Severe heatstroke is further divided into heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke, with heatstroke being the most severe type.

Etiology

1. Increased heat production occurs during labor in hot and high-temperature seasons or environments with high humidity and poor ventilation, as well as insufficient measures for heatstroke prevention and cooling.

2. Decreased heat dissipation from the body due to high environmental temperature and humidity, poor ventilation, and dysfunction of the sweat glands.

3. Decreased heat adaptability of the body is observed in elderly and frail individuals, women during the puerperium, and patients with underlying diseases such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, who have relatively weaker heat adaptability and are more prone to developing heatstroke in the same environment.

Examination

1. Blood and urine routine tests: Elevated total white blood cell count and neutrophils, as well as proteinuria and casturia.

2. Liver and kidney function and electrolyte tests: Severe cases often show elevated transaminases, increased blood creatinine and urea nitrogen, elevated creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), electrolyte imbalance, and abnormal coagulation mechanisms.

3. Electrocardiogram: Commonly manifested as tachycardia, such as sinus tachycardia and ventricular premature contractions. Sometimes bradycardia may also be observed, which may be accompanied by abnormal T waves and ST segments.

4. CT scan: Convenient, rapid, and safe, especially for emergency patients, it can quickly rule out other diagnoses and play an important role in saving time for rescue.

5. Blood gas analysis: Often suggests metabolic acidosis and respiratory alkalosis, as well as hyperlactatemia and hypoxemia.