- anaesthetic awareness
- birth injury
- brain haemorrhage
- cancer misdiagnosis
- cauda equina syndrome
- cerebral palsy
- cosmetic surgery
- dental negligence
- gynaecology errors
- laparoscopy surgery
- medical negligence solicitors
- neonatal conditions
- obstetric cholestasis
- surgery negligence
- gastric band surgery
- prescription errors
Heat Stroke
Thousands of clinical compensation claims are initiated every year in the United Kingdom by medical negligence solicitors on behalf of people from all walks of life. A multitude of operations and procedures are executed successfully however a small percentage do go wrong, laying the grounds for medical negligence solicitors to take legal action in order to claim compensation. Both legal aid and the no win no fee scheme are available to pursue medical negligence compensation claims.
Please contact us for help pursuing your claim.
Heat stroke is a type of hyperthermia in which a person has an elevated temperature due to prolonged exposure to heat. It is different from heat cramps, which are muscle cramps associated with electrolyte imbalance from excessive heat exposure and heat exhaustion, a situation where the person sweats profusely and is brought down by excessive heat. Heat stroke is considered a medical emergency and it can be fatal. Rapid treatment is required to bring down the temperature before the patient suffers irreversible brain damage and death.
The body generates a normal amount of heat because of its metabolic rate and is dissipated through sweating or through the radiation of heat from the body. In extreme heat and with situations of high humidity or a lot of physical exertion, the body may not be able to get rid of the heat and it builds up in the body, raising the body temperature levels to elevated levels. The body temperature can rise to as much as 106 degrees F or more. You can get heat stroke from dehydration, which exacerbates the condition. If you are dehydrated, you can't really sweat the way you need to and you develop heat stroke.
Those at risk for heat stroke include those who are infants, elderly people, especially if they have chronic diseases or take medications that prevent sweating, athletes, and those who work outdoors in the sun and the heat.
The signs and symptoms of heat stroke can be tricky to place as belonging to heat stroke. It can look like the person is having a heart attack or other illness that is, in fact, heat related. Signs and symptoms include nausea and vomiting, tiredness, headache, weakness, dizziness and muscle cramps or muscle aches. Symptoms can come on gradually or very suddenly, without proper warning to get out of the sun.
Other symptoms include having a high body temperature, rapid pulse, absence of sweating with skin that is hot or flushed and very dry. The pulse is rapid and the individual can have a hard time breathing. Behavior can become strange with hallucinations noted. They can be confused, agitated and disoriented. Seizures and coma are possible.
If you come across a person you think is recovering from heat stroke, you need to cool the victim as much as possible and as fast as possible. This means moving him or her to a cool place and removing as much clothing as possible. You need to apply tepid water to the skin or you can spray the person with a garden hose. Put a fan on the victim, which may promote sweating and evaporation of heat. Ice packs can be placed under the axillae and in the area of the groin. Watch the body temperature and try to get it down to about 101 degrees F. You can let the individual bring his or her body temperature down on his own after that.
Make sure you call 911 because the person can require advanced medical attention, especially if there has been organ damage. You should start treating the person even before medical personnel arrive.
Heat stroke is a preventable disease. You can take measures to prevent heat stroke by avoiding dehydration outdoors and by avoiding vigorous strenuous activity during weather which is hot and humid. You need to drink fluids that do not contain alcohol or caffeine, which can lead to dehydration. You'll need electrolyte replacement out in the heat along with fluid replacement. Hydrate yourself with frequent breaks if you are out in the hot weather for too long. Wear hats and light colored, loose clothing to allow for maximum amount of sweating and a decrease in the absorption of the heat of the sun during the hottest hours of the day. 1