Heatstroke is a condition caused by your body overheating, usually as a result of prolonged exposure to or physical exertion in high temperatures. This most serious form of heat injury, heatstroke, can occur if your body temperature rises to 40 degrees Celsius or higher. The condition is most common in the summer months.

Tips to avoid heat stroke this summer

Heatstroke requires emergency treatment. Untreated heatstroke can quickly damage your brain, heart, kidneys, and muscles. The damage worsens the longer treatment is delayed, increasing your risk of serious complications or death.

Studies show that when cooling is quickly initiated, and both the body temperature and brain function return to normal within an hour of the onset of heatstroke symptoms, most patients will recover fully.

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Here are some basic tips to avoid heatstroke, most especially during summer.

Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing. Wearing excess clothing or clothing that fits tightly won’t allow your body to cool properly.

Protect against sunburn. Sunburn affects your body’s ability to cool itself, so protect yourself outdoors with a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours — or more often if you’re swimming or sweating.

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Avoid sugary drinks, alcohol, and caffeine. It’s important to prevent dehydration by avoiding the consumption of sugary, sweetened drinks, alcohol, and caffeine. All of these dehydrating beverages cause increased urination and electrolyte loss. Plus, consuming too much sugar can lead to inflammation. Try cold water or your fruit-infused detox drinks.

Take it easy during the hottest parts of the day. If you can’t avoid strenuous activity in hot weather, drink fluids and rest frequently in a cool spot. Try to schedule exercise or physical labor for cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or evening.

For patients suffering from heatstroke, cold water immersion is one of the most common ways to cool the patient’s core temperature quickly. The patient must be exposed to cool temperatures immediately in order to prevent organ breakdown and death.