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Sun Stroke
Sunstroke occurs when the body becomes overheated through overexposure to the sun and the brain cannot control the
cooling process of the body. Sunstroke is different from and more dangerous than heat stroke. Both conditions cause
confusion, light-headedness and fatigue, and shade and cool water on the skin helps. However, sunstroke is much more
serious as the body can control heat exhaustion somewhat by spreading blood flow to the extremities, but it can't control
the effects of sunstroke and sunstroke requires immediate medical help. Sunstroke victims have characteristically hot and
dry skin as well as a rapid pulse. They may lose consciousness as the brain fights to regulate the body's temperature, but
can't. Sunstroke victims always need medical help as soon as possible. Medical professionals need to be sure that it is
sunstroke they are dealing with and will need to lower the body temperature safely as well as monitor fluid intake.
Quick breathing, headache and muscle ache may occur along with the hot, dry skin and rapid pulse in cases of sunstroke.
The sunstroke victim may have slurred speech and be in a state of confusion that may even cause them to lash out
violently. These symptoms may progress to hallucinations and a lack of consciousness.
Heat Stroke
When the body temperature reaches 40 degrees Celsius, a person may be suffering from a serious condition called heat
stroke. It usually occurs when a person is forced to spend large amounts of time in a hot environment or when they
participates in extreme physical activity in a warm environment. If medical attention is not sought immediately, the organs
may fail, the person may suffer brain damage, or the person may die. Most medical personnel consider heat exhaustion or
heat cramps to be a precursor to heat stroke. In many cases, it can be prevented by keeping the body cool and well
hydrated.
The symptoms of heat stroke include a high body temperature, usually at or above 40 degrees Celsius. If the stroke is the
result of high climate temperatures, the skin will usually be dry and hot to the touch. If it is the result of physical exercise,
the skin may feel moist, almost clammy. In addition, the person may appear flushed, have rapid breathing, or have an
elevated heart rate. Sometimes a person will experience headaches, seizures, hallucinations, or even become comatose.
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is a heat-related illness which appears when people are exposed to environmental heat for prolonged
periods of time. This condition is not as serious as heat stroke, another heat-related illness, but it can become a severe
medical problem if it is not addressed, and people should pay close attention to the early signs of heat exhaustion when
they are in hot weather. This condition is especially common in the summer months, when temperatures are typically
higher, but people can get heat exhaustion at any time of the year, including an unseasonably warm winter day, and they
can get this condition indoors in environments like saunas.
In heat exhaustion, the body's supply of fluids starts to become depleted, and this throws the balance of electrolytes off.
People with heat exhaustion generally start to feel dizzy, disoriented, and confused, and they may experience headaches,
nausea, and vomiting. Typically they also sweat heavily, and they may develop clammy skin. If the heat exhaustion is
allowed to persist, collapse can occur.
Usually, the core body temperature remains relatively stable or slightly elevated in heat exhaustion cases, which is a key
difference between this condition and heat stroke. However, the internal temperature can rise, sometimes very rapidly, in
untreated cases, causing a simple case of heat exhaustion to develop into heat stroke. If heat stroke happens, brain
damage, heart attacks, and death can occur.