Avoiding sunstroke and first-aid when it strikes
By Zhang Qian |
July 27, 2012, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
WITH temperatures climbing, it's dangerous to stay outdoors or in hot, unventilated rooms for long periods. Heat exhaustion is possible and without proper cooling and hydration, heatstroke or sunstroke may occur.
Heatstroke is a life-threatening condition with symptoms of high body temperature, rapid pulse, difficult, shallow breathing, confusion, and more that require immediate first aid, reducing the body temperature quickly and drinking liquids containing electrolytes. Severe cases require immediate medical attention.
The groups most at risk are infants and young children, the elderly, outdoor workers, those who are sickly, obese people and those with cardiovascular problems. Some medications may also interfere with the body's ability to cool itself.
Traditional Chinese medicine doctors say in case of heat-related ailments, in addition to standard first aid (cooling, hydrating, getting to a doctor), some TCM patent medicines and acupressure can help.
Smelling feng you jing (·?óí??) herbal oil of mint and camphor, putting it on the forehead and at the corners of the eyes is recommended. So is eating TCM patent pills such as ren dan (è?μ¤) containing ageratum (floss flower), orange peel and mint.
Some Chinese people take these items along with them when they travel in hot weather.
When the body temperature gets too high, the body automatically lowers it by sweating and fast breathing. But if the temperature rises too quickly in a hot or unaired environment, the ability to adjust the temperature can be impaired. The body can also suffer an electrolyte imbalance if too much fluid and salt is lost through sweating. This can lead to heatstroke with symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, chest pressure, vomiting, panting, weakness, dry skin and fainting.
TCM holds the says that the healthy energy in human body is usually damaged in hot summers as so-called pathogenic heat and dampness pervade the universe and threaten the body.
People with heat-related ailments such as cramps and exhaustion can often recover quickly within hours by moving to a cool, shady, airy place and replacing lost fluids and salt.
The body temperature of someone mildly affected by the heat is usually above 38 degrees Celsius. He or she may also have either hot skin and red faces or cold and sweaty limbs and pale faces as well as dizziness and thirst.
Severe heatstroke, however, can be fatal if not treated promptly.
Since most people stay in air-conditioned rooms, there are fewer cases of heatstroke these days. But it still can affect outdoor workers and people in crowded rooms and public places, says Dr Chen Hao, the associate chief emergency physician of Longhua Hospital attached to Shanghai University of TCM.
Chen says intense work, lack of sleep, fatigue, hunger, thirst, drinking alcohol and wearing tight constricting clothes can contribute to the problem.
Heatstroke is a life-threatening condition with symptoms of high body temperature, rapid pulse, difficult, shallow breathing, confusion, and more that require immediate first aid, reducing the body temperature quickly and drinking liquids containing electrolytes. Severe cases require immediate medical attention.
The groups most at risk are infants and young children, the elderly, outdoor workers, those who are sickly, obese people and those with cardiovascular problems. Some medications may also interfere with the body's ability to cool itself.
Traditional Chinese medicine doctors say in case of heat-related ailments, in addition to standard first aid (cooling, hydrating, getting to a doctor), some TCM patent medicines and acupressure can help.
Smelling feng you jing (·?óí??) herbal oil of mint and camphor, putting it on the forehead and at the corners of the eyes is recommended. So is eating TCM patent pills such as ren dan (è?μ¤) containing ageratum (floss flower), orange peel and mint.
Some Chinese people take these items along with them when they travel in hot weather.
When the body temperature gets too high, the body automatically lowers it by sweating and fast breathing. But if the temperature rises too quickly in a hot or unaired environment, the ability to adjust the temperature can be impaired. The body can also suffer an electrolyte imbalance if too much fluid and salt is lost through sweating. This can lead to heatstroke with symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, chest pressure, vomiting, panting, weakness, dry skin and fainting.
TCM holds the says that the healthy energy in human body is usually damaged in hot summers as so-called pathogenic heat and dampness pervade the universe and threaten the body.
People with heat-related ailments such as cramps and exhaustion can often recover quickly within hours by moving to a cool, shady, airy place and replacing lost fluids and salt.
The body temperature of someone mildly affected by the heat is usually above 38 degrees Celsius. He or she may also have either hot skin and red faces or cold and sweaty limbs and pale faces as well as dizziness and thirst.
Severe heatstroke, however, can be fatal if not treated promptly.
Since most people stay in air-conditioned rooms, there are fewer cases of heatstroke these days. But it still can affect outdoor workers and people in crowded rooms and public places, says Dr Chen Hao, the associate chief emergency physician of Longhua Hospital attached to Shanghai University of TCM.
Chen says intense work, lack of sleep, fatigue, hunger, thirst, drinking alcohol and wearing tight constricting clothes can contribute to the problem.
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