Doctors warn of dangerous signs of heatstroke: "High body temperature but no sweating."

Extremely hot weather is driving up the risk of heatstroke. Doctors emphasize that it is a medical emergency and delayed treatment can be fatal. They advise watching for symptoms such as "hot but dry body, no sweating," and stress that every minute counts.

Amid continuously rising temperatures, extreme heat and heatwaves are occurring worldwide. A health hazard that people should not overlook is "heatstroke," which tends to occur more frequently during hot weather. This is especially true for the elderly, young children, those who work outdoors, and those with underlying conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Therefore, "heatstroke" is not just ordinary sun exhaustion, but a medical emergency caused by the body's inability to regulate its temperature quickly enough. This results in a rapid rise in body temperature, affecting the function of vital organs, especially the brain and heart. If not treated promptly, it can lead to serious complications and death.

in this regard Dr. Suresh Kumar Narula, a specialist in cardiology, critical care, coronary artery disease, and diagnostic angiography at Rama 9 Hospital. The information states that "heatstroke" is a condition where body temperature rises above 40–40.5 degrees Celsius, reaching a "critical" level. This causes the brain's temperature regulation system to fail, and the body is unable to dissipate heat through sweating. As a result, the patient's skin becomes extremely hot but dry, without sweating, and the heat immediately begins to damage vital organs from within.

A key indicator of heatstroke is a body temperature exceeding 40.5 degrees Celsius, yet the patient shows no sweating despite the extreme heat. This indicates a failure of the brain's temperature regulation system. The brain is the most heat-sensitive organ; when body temperature exceeds this level, brain cells immediately begin to shut down. This leads to confusion, seizures, or unconsciousness, triggering a domino effect where damage rapidly spreads to the heart, liver, and kidneys. Acute inflammation occurs, and in severe cases, it can lead to disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), a condition of abnormal blood clotting that causes blood clots to spread throughout the body, posing a life-threatening risk.

Dr. Sures stated that the key to treating heatstroke is "time." Every minute counts. The faster the body temperature is lowered, the higher the chance of survival. This principle is similar to "Time is Brain" or "Time is Muscle" in patients with heart disease and stroke. The effects of heatstroke impact the entire body, especially the heart, which may experience severe arrhythmias due to abnormalities in the heart's electrical system. Although the heart may not stop beating immediately like in a heart attack, if left untreated, it can lead to heart failure. At the same time, it can cause acute kidney failure, severe liver damage, and abnormal blood clotting, which further accelerates multiorgan failure.

There are two main groups at risk of heatstroke: 1. Those with weakened immune systems, such as children, the elderly, and patients with chronic illnesses, especially heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. 2. Those who are physically fit but engage in strenuous outdoor activities, such as athletes or manual laborers.

Patients with heart disease and diabetes are considered high-risk groups because their bodies have pre-existing "weak points." When exposed to heat, these vulnerable organs are damaged first, leading to a rapid domino effect. This results in more severe symptoms and less time for treatment. If hospitalization is delayed, the chance of survival can be less than 50%.

Dr. Sures said that when encountering a patient suspected of having "heatstroke," the most important thing is to "quickly" take them to the hospital. Move the patient to a shaded area or an air-conditioned room to lower their temperature. If the patient is still conscious, they can be given cold water to drink. Generally, the heart of a heatstroke patient will not stop immediately, so CPR is not primary first aid except in cases where the patient stops breathing. Therefore, the most important thing is to quickly take the patient to the nearest hospital, because every minute is crucial for a heatstroke patient. If they receive prompt treatment, they have a chance to return to their normal life.

Currently, many people are confused about this. "Heatstroke" คือ "Stroke" Because the symptoms are similar, to explain briefly, although the names are similar, the two diseases have different causes. "Stroke" It is caused by narrowing, blockage, or rupture of blood vessels in the brain, resulting in a lack of blood and oxygen. "Heatstroke" caused by "Heat" Exceeding the limit to the point of damaging the temperature control system. (For symptoms...) "Stroke" Patients may experience numbness or paralysis on one side of the body, facial asymmetry, weakness or weakness in one side of the body's limbs, slurred speech, or visual disturbances. These symptoms can be remembered using the FAST (Face, Arm, Speech, Time) principle. "Heatstroke" Its distinguishing features are: "High body temperature but no sweating." Along with neurological symptoms such as confusion, delirium, seizures, or unconsciousness.

"To prevent heatstroke, it is recommended to drink enough water throughout the day, avoid sun exposure between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM, when temperatures are highest, and proactively take care of your health by eating a proper diet and exercising regularly, at least 5 days a week for 30-40 minutes each time."

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