From a climatic point of view, hot and humid weather is the ideal breeding ground for heat stroke. The body is no longer able to cool down sufficiently by sweating. This causes the human (or animal) body to overheat from one minute to the next. Unsuitable clothing that is far too warm or does not allow enough air to pass through supports this overheating condition.

Sport in the heat

If you also do sport or have to exert yourself physically at work, you really work up a sweat. If the resulting water loss is not compensated, this can have fatal consequences. The body can no longer regulate heat properly – the water balance gets out of control. This can be accompanied by a body temperature of over 40 degrees Celsius, which can be life-threatening. Medicine calls this hyperthermia syndrome. This means that massive heat damage is inflicted on the body.

If the body’s own temperature regulation finally fails, sweat production decreases. This means that an important part of the human “air conditioning system” fails. As a result, sweat can no longer cool the body through evaporation. This can lead to life-threatening heat build-up, known as heat stroke.

Preventing heatstroke – but how?

To prevent heatstroke, it is best to avoid direct, intense sunlight and stay in the shade. However, if you know that your body will be exposed to high temperatures over a longer period of time, you should take precautions. In order not to jeopardize the body’s fluid balance, it is not only important to drink enough water in advance, but also to always have a sufficient supply of drinking water to hand. Several smaller units of fluid at regular (!) intervals throughout the day are ideal to prevent hyperthermia syndrome from occurring in the first place. The body can only maintain the sweat production required to cool down by absorbing fluids.

Heatstroke is always a medical emergency that requires rapid action. The victim’s upper body should be positioned in a slightly elevated position in a shady place, provided he is still conscious. Unconscious persons who are breathing should be placed in the stable lateral position in the shade. This is because if the person has to vomit, they cannot choke on their vomit. Clothing should be loosened.

Lower body temperature

The main aim is to lower the body temperature as quickly as possible to avoid worse. Wetting the affected person with water, damp cloths on the forehead and neck, as well as fresh air have a positive effect on regulating the temperature balance. Anyone who finds a person with signs of heatstroke should act as quickly as possible. The condition of the affected person can deteriorate very quickly – life-threatening circulatory problems can occur in the further course of the disease.

Provide first aid and notify the emergency services

People with heat stroke appear to be in recognizable need of help. You will feel dizzy and may stagger. Heat stroke can also cause symptoms such as confusion and restlessness. The skin also shows typical symptoms of heat stroke: it is bright red to bluish-red all over the body and feels hot and above all dry. If heatstroke is suspected, first aid should therefore be administered immediately and the emergency services should be alerted without delay (emergency number 112 – with a reference to heatstroke).

Supervise the person concerned

You should never leave a person with heatstroke alone. First aiders should always check whether the affected person is responsive, whether they are breathing and whether their heart is beating. If the person is not breathing, start cardiopulmonary resuscitation until the emergency doctor arrives. It would be best to give water to the person concerned in small units. If this does not work, the emergency doctor can use infusions to restore the body’s water balance, which has gotten out of control.

Prevent heat stroke

But it doesn’t have to come to that. If hot days are forecast, then one thing is particularly important: drink a lot! The natural feeling of thirst is often no longer reliable at high temperatures. If thirst has arisen, the body already has a deficit. For this reason, care should be taken to ensure sufficient fluid intake at all times. Healthy adults should drink at least two to three liters of water, unsweetened tea or juice spritzer a day.

People who spend a lot of time outdoors in high temperatures and humid air, either professionally or privately, should make sure that they have light yellow urine. Only then is the body sufficiently hydrated. If this is not the case, increase the amount you drink immediately and sensibly!