Special Features
Experts At Saudi German Hospital-Dubai Give Urgent Heat Stroke Tips
With daytime summer temperatures approaching 50°C, Dubai residents have become extremely susceptible to heat stroke, and hospitals have voiced their concern at the spiraling number of cases. Compounding the problem is the fact that most people are not aware of the early warning symptoms of heat strokes, resulting in delayed diagnosis and complications.A renowned medical expert, Dr. Kadry Barry Specialist in Internal Medicine from Saudi German Hospital-Dubai, corrected a common misconception: “Most people assume that extreme heat only causes sunburn or skin cancer. But the reality is that if neglected, this condition can cause catastrophic damage to the brain, kidney, liver and muscles. On the down side, the complications can be life-long and life-threatening. But on the bright side, if people learn the symptoms and seek early treatment they can feel an improvement within an hour.”
Heat stroke is medically categorized as a heat-related condition that deteriorates from heat cramps to heat exhaustion and eventually heat stroke. Preliminary symptoms of heat exhaustion include profuse sweating, feverish flushed skin, fatigue, nausea, rapid pulse, blackouts, confusion and dark-colored urine.
Dr. Kadry Barry added that certain population demographics are more vulnerable than others: “What makes heat stroke even deadlier is that those who are hardest hit are those who already suffer from other conditions like kidney, liver, anorexia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, lung and heart disease. Children under two years and the elderly are also at heightened risk. But even young and healthy athletes or manual laborers are not immune, so we should all be proactive and prevent it.”
If the symptoms above are ignored, the body’s cells start to break down and heat exhaustion progresses to heat stroke. This is commonly typified by body temperatures above 40°C, rapid and weak pulse, rapid and shallow breathing, slurred speech, hallucinations and a complete stop in sweating (since the body has literally run out of sweat). Tragically, if the patient is not rushed to hospital they may lapse into consciousness or even a coma.
At the hospital tests will be conducted, ranging from blood test, urine test, ECG, MRI, CT scan and chest X-ray. This also eliminates other conditions whose symptoms mimic heat stroke, like malaria, blood poisoning and certain cancers.
According to Dr. Kadry Barry at the Saudi German Hospital-Dubai, the public should learn simple first aid for heat stroke: “It’s not all doom and gloom. Knowledge can save lives. While waiting for emergency attention, it is vital to put the victim in a cool location; ideally an air-conditioned room and not shade, as Dubai temperatures commonly exceed 40°C in the shade. Loosen the clothes to facilitate breathing, rehydrating them with water and immerse the body in an ice bath - unless the victim has pre-existing heart problems. A dermo-massage of the skin can also promote circulation. However nothing should be forced into the victim’s mouth. For cases that are unconscious, and/or throwing up, you should lay them on their side to prevent choking.”
Since prevention is always better than cure, experts advise the public to stay out of the sun between 11am-3pm, and maintain thorough hydration. Obese individuals should only indulge in exercise gradually, not suddenly. An eye should also be kept on those suffering from epilepsy, memory loss, sweat gland malfunction, diabetes and other vulnerable conditions.
