The Dangers of Heat Stroke

Amelle Yassin
2 min readSep 6, 2023

Today was a record-high temperature for September.

As a result, I didn’t do any work other than go grocery shopping since the heat makes me unwell.

And thus, this will be a little shorter than usual.

The heat makes it difficult for me to concentrate, which is a frequent adverse effect.

But it also, and this is a personal feeling that isn’t common, feels like a gigantic boulder is pressing down on my chest, and I can’t breathe.

When it comes to heat, one should always be cautious because it is no laughing matter. It can have varied effects on different people.

The physical effects of heat often include:

Heat cramps are when muscle cramps occur in the body, which can be caused by dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.

They typically occur in the legs and arms and can also be quite painful.

Heat exhaustion is a more serious condition that happens when the body loses too much water and salt.

The symptoms often include headaches, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.

The most deadly of the heat-related ailments is heatstroke.

It occurs when a person’s body temperature goes dangerously high.

Making their body heated and their skin dry.

They may also experience confusion, convulsions, and even coma.

Although the physical effects may appear frightening, they are controllable if detected in time.

Aside from the physical effects of heat, there are also mental consequences.

The mental effects of heat include:

Heat can cause people to become irritable and impatient.

The heat can make it harder to concentrate, and people frequently lose track of time.

Accidents can occur because heat makes people more likely to make mistakes.

Here are some tips to stay safe in hot weather:

Water is essential. Make sure to always hydrate. Drink plenty of fluids. This is especially important if you are sweating a lot.

Avoid strenuous activity. If you must be active in hot weather, make sure to frequently take breaks.

Wear loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing. This will help you stay cool.

Stay in the shade.

Take a cool bath or shower.

Moisten your skin with a cool towel.

And lastly, if you experience any of the above-mentioned heat symptoms, make sure to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Stay safe.

Even though we’re in Autumn, summer has its last grip on us. But it will get cooler eventually. And goodness, am I looking forward to that.

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Amelle Yassin

⚕ Physician turned writer. Aiming to improve 1% every single day. Self-development aficionado. Here to build up my writing consistency.