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.
