A single mom named Jennifer Amba from Canada shared her story to raise the general awareness of heatstroke.
Jennifer Abma has warned other parents after she struggled to wake her daughter up from a nap in hot bedroomCredit: Facebook/Jennifer Abma
When her daughter was 3, the toddler suffered a heatstroke in the bedroom while taking a nap.
Jennifer called an ambulance, and had to wait 20 minutes. She wasn’t even aware of the problem her daughter had. She didn’t notice that the bedroom is too hot. When she reached for the toddler, the girl was soaked in sweat, unresponsive and her face was red.
There was no air conditioning and the fan wasn’t on. The window was open, and the blinds were closed.
Jennifer Amba and her daughter, Anastasia. INSTAGRAM/@GOALCRUSHINMAMA
Do you know that over 650 Americans d_ie from heat-related disease? Each of these cases can be prevented. You can suffer a heat-stroke everywhere – even when you spend the day in shadows.
What is a heatstroke?
According to Mayo Clinic Heatstroke is a condition caused by your body overheating, usually as a result of prolonged exposure to or physical exertion in high temperatures. This most serious form of heat injury, heatstroke, can occur if your body temperature rises to 104 F (40 C) or higher. The condition is most common in the summer months.
Heatstroke requires emergency treatment. Untreated heatstroke can quickly damage your brain, heart, kidneys and muscles. The damage worsens the longer treatment is delayed, increasing your risk of serious complications or d_eath.
When does this happen?
A heatstroke happens when you are exposed to heat, usually after intense physical workout or outdoor activity.
It may also happen if you don’t wear proper clothes that allows your body to sweat. Alcohol interferes with your body’s ability to balance its temperature which may cause additional problem.
Children and babies have a higher risk of suffering a heatstroke as their body is unable to regulate their temperature. It’s also common in people with existing medical problem.
Symptoms
Heatstroke signs and symptoms include:
– High body temperature. A core body temperature of 104 F (40 C) or higher, obtained with a rectal thermometer, is the main sign of heatstroke.
– Altered mental state or behavior. Confusion, agitation, slurred speech, irritability, delirium, seizures and coma can all result from heatstroke.
– Alteration in sweating. In heatstroke brought on by hot weather, your skin will feel hot and dry to the touch. However, in heatstroke brought on by strenuous exercise, your skin may feel dry or slightly moist.
– Nausea and vomiting. You may feel sick to your stomach or vomit.
– Flushed skin. Your skin may turn red as your body temperature increases.
– Rapid breathing. Your breathing may become rapid and shallow.
– Racing heart rate. Your pulse may significantly increase because heat stress places a tremendous burden on your heart to help cool your body.
– Headache. Your head may throb.
Identify heatstroke
Heatstroke shouldn’t be taken lightly as it’s an emergency. Call an ambulance and go to the hospital as soon as possible.
Watch for any of the symptoms we have listed above, and don’t focus on sweating only.
Here are some extra tips:
– Take the person to a cool area
– Remove any unnecessary layers of clothes
– Turn fans on or wet the person’s skin with water
– Use icepacks if the sufferer is an elderly, child, chronically ill or someone who had done strenuous workout. Place the icepacks on the armpits, neck, back and groin (blood vessels are mostly concentrated here)
– Immerse the person in cool water
Prevent heatstroke
It’s an emergency! Here’s how to prevent it:
– Drink a lot of water
– Don’t wear too much clothes and opt for light and loose clothing
– Avoid alcohol
– Wear sunglasses and sunscreen
– Don’t leave anyone in your parked car because a heatstroke may happen even when temperatures are 70 degrees Fahrenheit
If you don’t know how to keep your water intake in normal levels, add some lemon juice to your water bottle and enjoy the citrusy hint. Lemon water is incredibly healthy and refreshing. If you have a sweet tooth, add some honey to it. Enjoy your favorite drink!
