Home Remedies and Herbs for Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is a condition that occurs when your body temperature rises to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). With heat stroke, the body is no longer able to cool itself down. Heat stroke is a serious condition that can potentially cause damage to the brain, kidneys, heart and muscles. It is a more severe condition than other heat-related conditions, like heat exhaustion.¹ Heat stroke commonly affects elderly people and children during heat waves. Pets can also suffer from heat stroke.

What Causes Heat Stroke?

Heat stroke causes are linked to hot temperatures or extreme physical exertion. When heat stroke causes are due to hot environmental temperatures, it is called nonexertional or classic heat stroke.¹ Classic heat stroke happens usually during a heatwave. When environmental temperatures increase suddenly, many people cannot adjust and they are unable to cool down. This also occurs when people leave a cooler climate and visit a hot climate and their body temperatures don’t adjust. Travelers to hot climates are particularly susceptible during the first 3-4 days after arriving.^{1 2}

Heat stroke causes are also attributed to physical exertion. This is called exertional heat stroke. It occurs when body temperatures increase becauses of strenuous physical activity in hot weather. If you’re not used to exercising in hot weather, it can increase your risk of developing exertional heat stroke.¹ There are other risk factors associated with heat stroke causes. These risk factors include:^{1 2 3}

• Wearing a lot of tight, restrictive clothing
• Drinking alcohol
• Being dehydrated
• Having a chronic illness such as diabetes or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Elderly people
• Babies and children

Heat Stroke Symptoms

Heat stroke symptoms are typically the same no matter which type the person has. Common heat stroke symptoms include:^{1 2 3}

• High body temperature above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Muscle cramps
• Excessive sweating
• Thirst
• Rapid breathing and heart rates
• Flushed skin
• Headache
• Dizziness and lightheadedness
• Changes in behavior and mental states, including confusion, delirium and irritability
• Infrequent urination and dark urine

Extreme heat stroke symptoms can include seizures and unconsciousness. If you suspect you have heat stroke or you are prone to heat stroke, there are heat stroke natural remedies to take to help lower body temperatures.

References

1. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heat-stroke/basics/symptoms/con-20032814
2. http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Heat-exhaustion-and-heatstroke/Pages/Introduction.aspx
3. http://umm.edu/health/medical/ency/articles/heat-emergencies