Heatstroke, sunstroke, etc.: The 5 most dangerous heat emergencies

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In the case of heatstroke, the organism absorbs more heat than it can give back to the environment due to the high outside temperatures. Thus, the body temperature rises suddenly. Symptoms include unusual restlessness, extremely high body temperature (over 39°C when measured orally), hot, red and dry skin, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, extreme thirst, confusion, seizures, confusion to the point of unconsciousness . Heatstroke develops within one to six hours and can be fatal in less than 24 hours if proper precautions are not taken.

Exposure to strong sunlight on a clear head can inflame the meninges and cause dangerous swelling of brain tissue. Symptoms include severe headaches, stiff neck, photophobia, nausea, vomiting, confusion.

If the heat is persistent, more blood is supplied to the skin so that it can deliver heat. This can lead to a critical drop in blood pressure in the brain, resulting in short-term loss of consciousness.

If you don’t drink enough fluids, heat exhaustion can occur after a few days of high temperature. Fatigue is the body’s response to this loss of water and the loss of salts found in sweat. Symptoms may include: gradually increasing weakness, pale gray and hot, clammy skin, muscle cramps, nausea, dizziness, confusion, fever, poor circulation, unconsciousness. Elderly people are particularly prone to heat exhaustion.

Heat cramps are often experienced by people who sweat a lot when pushing themselves. The body loses salt and fluid through sweating. Low salt concentration in the muscles leads to painful cramps. Symptoms are muscle cramps or pain, usually in the abdomen, arms or legs and associated with strenuous activity.

Source: German Weather Service and Federal Environment Agency

Study: More than 61,000 heat deaths in Europe

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