What To Do if Someone Experiences Heatstroke

As parts of the world, including Malaysia and other parts of Southeast Asia, continue to experience extremely hot weather, it’s important to safeguard yourself against the dangerous and potentially life-threatening condition known as heatstroke.

There are two types of heatstroke: classic and exertional. Classic heatstroke typically affects those who aren’t physically active, and is usually caused by exposure to hot and humid conditions.

In contrast, exertional heatstroke typically affects athletes or individuals who perform physical activities in hot environments. It occurs when the body generates heat faster than it can dissipate, leading to an increase in core body temperature.

The older adult population and adults with comorbidities make up the highest proportion of fatalities. This is because as people age, their bodies become less able to regulate temperature and adapt to heat stress.

Additionally, older adults may have chronic medical conditions or take medications that can interfere with their body’s ability to regulate temperature, making them more susceptible to heatstroke.

Infants and younger children are also at risk, especially of classic heatstroke. This is because their bodies have a higher ratio of surface area to mass, which means they absorb heat more quickly.

Their thermoregulatory system is also not fully developed, which makes it harder for them to release heat effectively.

Additionally, they have a smaller blood volume in comparison with their body size, which limits their ability to conduct heat and leads to a buildup of heat in their bodies.

Lastly, they have a lower perspiration rate, which makes it harder for them to cool down through sweat evaporation.