Aurora Health Care©

Beat the heat

Aurora Behavioral Health Services
Prepared by E. San Agustin, MD,

Heatstroke is a medical emergency that occurs when the body's temperature-regulating mechanism breaks down and the person can't sweat. Internal body temperature can rise as high as 108°, which can cause irreversible brain damage and death.

Heatstroke facts:

  • More likely when outside temperature is very hot with a high humidity
  • More likely when taking the following medications: Antipsychotics like chlorpromazine, thioridazine, mesoridazine, clozapine, risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine and ziprasidone
  • Anti-Parkinsonian medications like benztropine, trihexyphenidyl, procyclidine, biperiden
  • Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine and chlorpheniramine
  • Antidepressants, especially tricyclics like imipramine, amitriptyline, nortriptyline, doxepin, desipramine and protriptyline
  • Diabetic, thyroid, blood pressure medications

Things you can do to prevent heat-related illness:

  • Sleep in a cool place. Basements or ground floors are often cooler than upper floors.
  • Drink extra fluids. Avoid caffeine and alcohol-containing beverages-they can cause the body to lose more fluids than they replace.
  • Increase salt intake if no medical reasons why you shouldn't (if in doubt, ask your doctor).
  • Spend time in cool places-shopping malls, the movies or a friend or family's house if your house is too hot
  • Use fans and/or air conditioning.
  • If you feel warm, use cool, wet compresses or sit in a tub of cool water.
  • Remain with other people.
  • Check on elderly relatives and neighbors and those taking medications.
  • Be aware that the medications listed earlier may not only keep a person from sweating, but may affect their heat perception, preventing them from feeling overheated even if they are.
  • Wear loose, light colored, light-weight clothing.
  • Add a hat or umbrella to keep your head cool.
  • Apply sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher at least 30 minutes prior to sun exposure and re-apply throughout the day.
  • Wear sunglasses that block 99 to 100% of harmful ultra-violet rays (UVA) and protect from eye diseases such as cataracts.
  • Pay attention to how other people are dressed.

Things to avoid:

  • Wearing heavy clothing, coats, sweaters, etc.
  • Strenuous exercise
  • Alcoholic beverages, coffee and soda with caffeine-they can dry you out more
  • Spending time outdoors in the sun
  • Sleeping or sitting in a hot room

Warning signs:

Watch yourself and others around you for nausea, headache, feeling poorly, weakness, irritability, fast pulse, rapid breathing, dizziness, hot or dry skin, confusion, vomiting, diarrhea.

People at high risk for heat-related illnesses:

  • Older adults
  • Infants and young children
  • People with mental disorders or disabilities
  • Users of medications listed earlier
  • People who are overweight, with heart or lung condition, diabetes mellitus, overactive thyroid
  • Engaging in strenuous exercise
  • Have drunk alcohol or caffeinated beverages
  • Work outdoors or in hot settings
  • Isolated people who won't know when or how to cool off or call for help

How to get help

If you think you or someone you know is suffering from heatstroke, call the emergency room, or DIAL 9-1-1.