Recently, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University’s emergency department has admitted over a dozen heatstroke patients in quick succession. All of them share common characteristics: body temperatures exceeding 42℃, pronounced consciousness disorders, and rapid multi – organ failure.
Heatstroke, the most severe form of sunstroke in high – temperature environments, is far from a simple case of dizziness, sweating, or fatigue. It is a critical illness characterized by a significantly elevated core body temperature, nervous system dysfunction, and multi – organ damage. Heatstroke can cause death within a short time.
“Medically speaking, heatstroke occurs when the body’s thermoregulation system collapses,” explained Yin Leilei, a deputy chief physician in the emergency internal medicine department at the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University and a member of the Emergency Professional Committee of the Chinese Women Physicians Association. When the body’s core temperature exceeds 40.5℃, the body’s internal heat cannot be dissipated normally, and the internal “intelligent temperature control system” completely malfunctions, similar to a radiator of a precision instrument breaking down completely. This imbalance first affects cellular energy metabolism, especially the mitochondria that maintain the functions of vital organs such as the heart, liver, and kidneys. When they “melt down” under high temperatures, each organ is plunged into a crisis of functional shutdown.
Simultaneously, the continuous high temperature in the body can also damage the spatial structure of enzymes and proteins, interrupting important biochemical reaction chains, first manifested as liver and kidney function disorders. In addition, extreme body temperatures can stimulate the immune system to enter an abnormally excited state, releasing a large number of inflammatory factors and triggering an “inflammatory storm,” leading to increased blood vessel permeability and a complete paralysis of the coagulation system. In such a situation, patients may face the fatal danger of “internal bleeding without the ability to stop bleeding,” resulting in bleeding, low blood pressure, or even systemic shock.
Preventing heatstroke is not as simple as “going out less.” It also requires proactive hydration, a balanced diet, adjusting outdoor activity time, and taking proper precautions.
Yin Leilei suggested drinking 200 to 300 milliliters of water regularly every hour in summer, even if not thirsty. She said that when sweating profusely, adding a small pinch of salt, a little sugar, and a few drops of lemon juice to the water, or directly drinking low – sugar sports drinks, can prevent hyponatremia or muscle cramps caused by excessive fluid loss. In addition, in summer, the diet should appropriately include more foods rich in minerals such as potassium and magnesium, such as bananas, edamame, oats, spinach, nuts, and high – protein foods such as soy milk and yogurt, to enhance the body’s heat resistance.
Yin Leilei emphasized that reasonably arranging outdoor activity time is also crucial. The period from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. is the high – temperature period. Strenuous exercise or long – term outdoor activities should be avoided as much as possible during this time. If going out is necessary, it is recommended to wear light – colored, loose, and breathable clothing, equipped with a wide – brimmed hat and sun protection tools, and carry a small fan or cooling spray to help the body reduce heat load. Special attention should be paid to the elderly, children, pregnant women, and patients with chronic diseases.
When heatstroke strikes suddenly, “rapid cooling and prompt medical treatment” are the six – character mantras for treatment. Yin Leilei reminded that the golden rescue time for heatstroke is often only 10 minutes. When suspecting that someone around may have heatstroke, they must be quickly moved to a cool and ventilated place, preferably a room with air conditioning. Unbutton or remove their clothes to help the patient dissipate heat and reduce body temperature. If possible, immerse the patient’s whole body in tap water at 16℃ to 20℃, with only the head exposed, to quickly remove heat through the convection of water and air. If conditions do not allow, drench the patient with a large amount of cold water and use electric fans, towels, or ice packs to assist in cooling at the armpits, neck, groin, and other parts.
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