In recent days, Shanghai has reached oven-like temperatures due to the sun and local hospitals have seen a surge in people suffering from heatstroke, which is the most common ailment during the hot summer. Doctors suggest that local residents take certain measures to keep cool and prevent heatstroke.
"The body temperature rises when the environment gets hotter, so people sweat much more. When a lot of body fluid is lost, it will lead to heat exhaustion and heatstroke," said Dr Sheng Changfa of Huashan Hospital.
Another reason is that the weather is quite humid, which prevents heat emissions from the body. When excessive heat is accumulated in the body, the body's temperature control center fails to keep the body at the right temperature, so the danger of heatstroke is greatly increased.
Feeling thirsty is the initial symptom of heatstroke, which reflects that the body is short of fluids. Patients then suffer from a bad appetite, headache and feel dizzy and sick. They may lose color in their faces and their hearts can beat faster. In some serious instances patients can even lose consciousness and faint.
Everyone staying in a hot environment is prone to heatstroke and some weak people are more exposed to the risks, such as infants without mature sweat glands, elderly people, weak pregnant women and those suffering from malnutrition, diabetes or cardiovascular diseases.
Cool down
Sheng said heat patients should be settled immediately. In some cases, heatstroke may lead to shock, exhaustion or death.
First, they should be moved to a cool area with free-flowing air. Patients lie low and raise their head a little bit higher than their body. Loosen clothing to allow the heat to dissipate through the skin. Secondly, place cold towels or an icepack on the head, axilla and thigh to cool the body temperature. Massage the skin of arms and legs to extend the blood vessels and speed up the blood flow.
Let the patient drink a lot to supply body fluids - water is the best choice.
Patients in serious condition can lean in cool water and helpers should brush their skin with towels for 15 to 30 minutes. Patients can regain consciousness and their body temperature drops to 37 or 38 degrees Celsius within a short time. However, weak people such as the elderly or patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases may not be able to withstand very cold water.
Doctors suggest that patients be sent to hospitals within 30 minutes for better and more efficient treatment.
The following are tips to prevent heat stroke:
?Keep away from the sunshine, especially those who have symptoms of heat stoke.
?Drink enough water. Don't drink like a fish, but drink a certain amount now and then. Before exposure in the sunshine, drink some water. The intake of vegetables and fruits is also helpful, as they contain plenty of water and balanced salts.
?Avoid alcohol and caffeine. They may accelerate the condition of collapse.
?Refrain from smoking. Smoking can cause the blood vessels to shrink and slow heat emission.
?Caps, cotton dressing and others. The blood vessels in the head and neck are just near the skin, so put on a ventilated cap. A dressing made of cotton provides more ventilation, and a light colour can reflect the sunshine while the dark colours absorb more heat.
?Last but not least, take some medicines. The highly recommended Chinese medicine is Huoxiang zhengqi wan (wrinkled giant hyssop pills for smoothing the circulation of vital energy), which is available in all drug stores.
(Shanghai Star 07/17/2001)
