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Recipe for pickling cucumbers with vodka. How to close crispy cucumbers with vodka for the winter - delicious pickling recipes. Pickled cucumbers for the winter with vodka

Everyone knows about the danger of sunstroke and that leaving a child under the scorching sun is very dangerous. But this type of temperature exposure is only a kind of heatstroke, which are more insidious and even more dangerous for the baby. And if it is not so difficult to hide from direct sun exposure, then it will be much more difficult to protect the baby from the hot air.

Quick reference and signs

Heatstroke is a consequence of human exposure to high ambient temperatures. If, under the influence of the sun, only the head is mainly negatively affected, then overheating affects the whole body, which causes its great danger and the presence of possible manifestations from all organs.

Doctor's note: the child's body is more vulnerable, and heatstroke can happen to the baby even if the temperature in the room or outside for an adult seems quite bearable.

The first signs of heatstroke are moodiness, redness of the face, the appearance of cold sweat on the skin and a constant desire to drink. Also, the symptoms of this phenomenon in a child include:

  • weakness, drowsiness;
  • cramps in the tummy;
  • headache and dizziness;
  • darkening, flickering dots or goosebumps;
  • with the aggravation of the situation, fever, shortness of breath, convulsions, symptoms of dehydration appear;
  • nosebleeds and vomiting (in the most difficult situations).

Combating heatstroke

In no case should this condition be ignored, as the progression of symptoms can turn into life-threatening conditions. The main rule is that when the first symptoms and suspicions of heatstroke appear, you must immediately call an ambulance.

First aid

While you are waiting for the arrival of doctors, you cannot be idle, the child needs to be given first aid correctly. You need to act according to this algorithm:

  • heat exposure must be urgently stopped, that is, move the baby to a cooler place;
  • so that the child does not begin to choke when vomiting appears, which probably needs to be laid on his side, with his head positioned in the same way;
  • you need to free the victim from clothes;
  • the chest and head can be wiped with a wet cold towel, or at least often blown the baby, forcing the cool air to circulate;
  • if the child is conscious, then he needs to offer water. You need to drink it in small sips.

Measures to lower body temperature

Blowing, puffing and wiping with a wet towel - all these measures are designed to cool the body and at the same time prevent an increase in temperature indicators. If a high temperature does appear (this happens with severe strokes, when symptoms develop very rapidly), then measures should be taken to reduce it.

Rubbing with water should be done more abundantly, paying special attention to those places where the vessels are located most close to the skin (pits under the knee, armpits, groin, etc.). Please note - the water should not be too cold, as this can provoke cramps and worsen the child's condition. The recommended temperature of the wiping liquid is room temperature.

If necessary, you can bathe the child in water of 25-degree temperature, but after the procedure, you cannot go outside or be near open windows.

As for antipyretic drugs, they are not effective with heatstroke. In general, it is worth avoiding the use of any medication without a doctor's prescription, as this can aggravate the situation.

If, under the influence of the sun, only the head is negatively affected, then overheating acts on the whole body.

Treatment

Breast and early age with heatstroke is a direct indication for hospitalization, and for immediate. For older children, the issue of placement in the hospital is decided on a case-by-case basis. If the heat effect has passed in a mild form, then home treatment is possible.

In the fight against the manifestations of the problem, the following means can be prescribed:

  • belladonna to combat a range of heatstroke symptoms, including headache;
  • the appearance of seizures requires the appointment of Cuprum Metallicum;
  • vomiting, nausea and indigestion are indications for the appointment of natrum carbonicum.

The listed and other medicines must be prescribed by the doctor and taken in the quantities recommended by him.

What not to do

It is necessary to familiarize yourself with the list of actions that are often used out of ignorance, but do not help to deal with the problem, but only exacerbate it:

  • you need to cool the body gradually, you do not need to try to perform manipulations quickly;
  • you can not use cold water;
  • you cannot leave the child until the doctor arrives in the same place where the negative temperature effect was exerted, moving to a cooler place is simply necessary;
  • and most importantly, you cannot try to cure the child on your own, it can end in disastrously.

Power features

One of the most important elements of treatment is the correct drinking regimen. Drinking should be plentiful, not cold, and taken in small sips.

At an early age, diet therapy is very often used. When breastfeeding on the day of the incident, it is recommended to skip one feeding, and reduce the total daily amount of food by a third for some time. Gradually, the volumes return to normal. Fermented milk products must be included in the nutrition of a child who has already been weaned.

Drinking plenty of fluids is required, but the water should not be cold.

Prevention

Prevention of heatstroke is simple, the basic rule is to avoid rooms or places with hot air. Inside the child's home, the temperature should not exceed 23 degrees, while an uninterrupted and safe supply of fresh air must be properly organized in the room. Make sure that your child drinks enough fluids, and do not overfeed him on hot days. As for the rules for walking on the street:

  • hats for protection from direct exposure to sunlight must be taken with you and put on the baby on the street;
  • it is better not to be in the open sun, but to play in the shade of trees;
  • clothing should be made of fabrics that allow air to penetrate the skin, preferably in light colors;
  • prolonged exposure to heat and physical activity in such weather should be limited.

Video: heatstroke - school of Dr. Komarovsky

By following simple guidelines, you can protect your child from dangerous heatstroke. If a trouble does occur, then a timely adequate response will help to cope with the problem at an early stage without any difficulties.

Vacation season is ahead. We all missed the sun and warmth during the winter. But the sun and heat are not as harmless as they seem at first glance. Even in our latitudes, no one is safe from sun and heatstroke. Especially when it comes to children.

Today we will talk about a topic that is very relevant for all parents in the summer: heat and sunstroke. Moreover, the relevance remains regardless of where you will rest with your children - at sea or in the country.

Let us examine the causes and symptoms of heat and sunstroke, first aid, and, of course, the prevention of such conditions.

The consequences of overheating are often underestimated by parents. Heatstroke in a child is a serious problem. The insidiousness of this condition lies in the fact that the first symptoms of the disease can be perceived as the onset of a cold or simple malaise and fatigue.

Late diagnosis always leads to a neglected condition and, therefore, to serious consequences that require serious treatment. That is why every parent needs to know everything about overheating of the body and about measures to prevent it.

What is heat and sunstroke?

Heatstroke is a pathological condition in which all thermoregulation processes in the body are disrupted due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures. That is, a large amount of heat comes from outside. In addition, heat is generated in the body itself (the mechanism of heat production works), and there is no heat transfer.

Heatstroke can develop outdoors in hot weather, in a hotly heated room. This can also happen in conditions of not very high ambient temperatures, if the child is very warmly wrapped.

Sunstroke is a separate form of heatstroke. This condition is characterized by impaired health due to exposure to direct sunlight directly on the head of the child.

Young children are especially susceptible to this condition. In babies, thermoregulation processes are still imperfect due to age. They often develop heatstroke even at low ambient temperatures. Also in young children there is a rapid progression of the disease.

In infants, it is difficult to diagnose overheating by the fact that children cannot complain, tell what worries them. And the symptoms of a child's overheating are nonspecific. Lethargy, capricious behavior, tearfulness can be for various reasons. It is not always possible to immediately associate these symptoms with overheating. Therefore, it is very important to protect babies from the sun and heat, and indeed from any overheating.

Overheating reasons

Although sunstroke is considered a special form of heatstroke, they are not the same. If only because they have different causes.

In other words, if a child is in the shade in hot weather, with a hat, then he will not have sunstroke, but he is not insured against the development of heatstroke.

The cause of heatstroke is the general overheating of the whole organism with prolonged exposure to high temperatures. Due to overheating in the work of the thermoregulation center in the diencephalon, a breakdown occurs. The body actively produces heat, but cannot give it away.

Heat transfer normally occurs mainly with the production of sweat. Sweat evaporates from the surface of the skin and cools the human body.

Additional options for heat transfer are the expenditure of energy (heat) for warming the inhaled air and expansion of blood capillaries near the skin surface (a person turns red).

During the heat, little heat is spent on warming the inhaled air. And the other two thermoregulatory mechanisms work. If we, of course, do not interfere with them ...

What to do to avoid getting in the way? It's that simple! First, parents should pay special attention so that the child has something to sweat, and his clothes allow the sweat to evaporate.

There is one more nuance here. Liquid (in this case, sweat) evaporates if the surrounding air is drier than the layer of air directly near the body, under clothing. In high humidity, sweat flows in a stream, but does not evaporate. Simple laws of physics work. Consequently, there is no cooling of the skin.

Plus, to avoid overheating, clothing should be loose so that heat can be freely removed from the skin from the dilated blood capillaries.

Let's summarize a little what has been said and add something, systematically answering the question: "What leads to a violation of heat transfer?"

So, the following factors hinder the heat transfer and cooling of the body:

  • heat (air temperature above 30 ° C). At temperatures above 36 ° C, heat is not removed from the skin surface at all, and sweat does not evaporate;
  • high air humidity;
  • improperly dressed (dressed too warmly or dressed in synthetic clothing, in which the skin cannot breathe, and the sweat does not evaporate or absorb);
  • prolonged exposure to the sun (no shade);
  • intense physical activity in the heat;
  • lack of fluid intake (the child drinks little);
  • excess subcutaneous fat in overweight children interferes with the release of heat.
  • fair-skinned, fair-haired children do not tolerate heat worse;
  • taking antiallergic (antihistamines) drugs slows down heat transfer;
  • a violation of the heat transfer process can occur due to the pathology of the central nervous system or due to the physiological immaturity of the thermoregulation system in infants.

Heatstroke can also develop in babies who are in a closed car in the heat or during a traffic jam, when the car is practically motionless. When the outside temperature is around 32-33 ° C, the temperature inside the car can rise to 50 ° C within 15-20 minutes.

Now let's talk about sunstroke. It is the result of exposure to the direct rays of the sun on the head of a person. That is, the cause of sunstroke can be expressed in a simple speech phrase: "The head is baked."

The timing of the onset of signs of sunstroke varies. It happens that something amiss is felt immediately, while in the sun. But often the symptoms of sunstroke develop delayed, 6-9 hours after returning from a walk in direct sunlight.

The main signs of heatstroke

In the heatstroke clinic, three degrees of severity can be distinguished.

With a mild degree, headache, dizziness, nausea, increased heart rate, shortness of breath, and dilated pupils appear. At the same time, the skin is moist.

Even with a mild form of heatstroke, a doctor must be consulted. Hospitalization is usually not needed if assistance was provided to the child on time.

A moderate severity of heatstroke is characterized by an increasing headache combined with nausea and vomiting. The skin is red. Temperatures rise up to 40 ° C. The heartbeat and respiratory rate increase.

The child has a pronounced weakness (unwillingness to move). There is a confused consciousness, a state of stunnedness, the baby's movements are uncertain. Light-headedness or short-term loss of consciousness may occur.

Loss of consciousness, a coma-like state, and the appearance of seizures indicate a severe form. Psychomotor agitation, hallucinations, and confusion of speech may also develop.

On examination, the skin is dry and hot. The temperature reaches 42 ° C, the pulse is weak and frequent (up to 120-130 beats per minute). Breathing is frequent, shallow, intermittent. Short-term respiratory arrest is possible. Heart sounds are muffled.

The main symptoms of sunstroke

Weakness, lethargy, headache, accompanied by nausea and vomiting are pronounced.

Vomiting or diarrhea is often one of the first signs of a stroke. Older children complain of tinnitus, flashing of flies. The baby's body temperature rises.

The skin is red, especially on the face and head. The pulse is frequent, weak filling, breathing is rapid. There is increased sweating. Epistaxis often occurs.

Symptoms of severe injury are similar to those of heatstroke (loss of consciousness, disorientation, rapid, then slow breathing, muscle twitching).

Physicians distinguish another concept in violation of heat exchange - heat exhaustion. This condition may precede the development of a more serious pathological condition - heatstroke. Thus, we can say that heat exhaustion is a heat pre-shock.

With an untimely diagnosis or inadequate treatment of heat exhaustion, the process can progress and lead to disastrous consequences, sometimes even fatal.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke in the comparison table:

Face colour Pale Red with a bright blush
Leather Wet, sticky Dry, hot to the touch
Thirst Pronounced May already be absent
Sweating Reinforced Reduced
Consciousness Fainting possible Confused, possible loss of consciousness, disorientation
Headache Is characteristic Is characteristic
Body temperature Normal or slightly elevated High, sometimes 40 ° C and above
Breath Normal Accelerated, superficial
Palpitations Rapid, weak pulse Rapid, pulse can hardly be traced
Convulsions Rarely Present

First aid for overheating

  1. Move your baby to a shade or cool, ventilated place. Try to keep the area around the victim open. It is necessary to exclude the mass gathering of people (onlookers). Call an ambulance.
  2. Place the child in a horizontal position.
  3. In case of impaired consciousness, the legs should be in an elevated position. Place clothes or a towel under your ankles. This will increase blood flow to the brain.
  4. In case of nausea or vomiting that has already begun, turn your head to one side so that the child does not choke on vomit.
  5. Take off your baby's outerwear. Free your neck and chest. It is better to remove tight or synthetic clothes altogether.
  6. The child must be thoroughly drunk with water. Give water in small portions, but often. The water should not be very cold, as this can provoke stomach cramps and vomiting. It is better to drink with mineral water or special saline solutions (Rehydron, Normohydron). The child loses salt with sweat. Due to their rapid mass loss, the concentration of electrolytes in the body decreases. This can lead to seizures. Saline solutions quickly restore the water-electrolyte composition
  7. Soak any cloth in cool water and apply it to your forehead, neck, or back of your head. Wipe your baby's body with a wet cloth. You can gradually pour more and more water over your body with a temperature of about 20 ° C. It is impossible to sharply bring a heated baby into the water (sea, body of water).
  8. Then apply a cold compress (bag or bottle of cold water) to your forehead or back of your head. A very young child can be wrapped in a wet diaper or sheet.
  9. Provide fresh air. Fan it in a fan-like motion.
  10. If the child's consciousness becomes clouded, carefully let him smell a cotton ball soaked in 10% ammonia (available in any car medicine cabinet).
  11. In an emergency, when the baby stops breathing, when the medical team has not yet arrived, you need to save the child yourself. We'll have to remember what was taught in the lessons of medical or military training. You need to tilt the child's head back slightly so that the chin goes forward. One hand should be placed on the chin and the other should be used to cover the baby's nose. Take a breath. Release air for 1-1.5 seconds into the baby's mouth, clasping the baby's lips tightly. Make sure the baby's ribcage rises. So you will understand that the air went into the lungs. After suffering a heat illness, it is simply necessary to adhere to bed rest for several days. These recommendations should not be violated. After all, this time is necessary for a small organism to restore the normal functioning of the nervous, cardiovascular systems, to normalize some metabolic processes.

10 main rules for the prevention of heat disorders

Parents should always remember about preventive measures for such conditions. Children are at risk. They can encounter heat or sunstroke even with short exposure to the sun or in a stuffy, hot room.

Prevention of heat disorders in children is best done in advance.

  1. When walking in sunny weather, dress your child in light-colored clothes made from natural fabrics. White reflects the sun's rays. Loose natural fabrics allow the body to breathe and sweat to evaporate.
  2. Always protect the baby's head with a light-colored panama hat or a brimmed hat. For an older child, protect your eyes with tinted glasses.
  3. Avoid resting during the most sunny hours. This is from 12:00 to 16:00, and in the southern regions - even from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
  4. The child should not be in direct sunlight, that is, in open areas. It should be in the shade (under an umbrella, the sandbox should be with a roof).
  5. Plan your vacation so that the child does not have intense physical activity in the heat (jumping on a trampoline, air slides, excursions).
  6. Alternate sunbathing (up to 20 minutes) with bathing. It is better to sunbathe while on the move, and only in the morning and evening. Under no circumstances should a child spend their lunchtime sleep on the beach.
  7. Children are absolutely not allowed to sunbathe, so do not insist that the child lie with you on the beach (sunbathe). Do not be indignant that he cannot lie quietly or sit for more than three seconds))
  8. Children should drink a lot! Under normal conditions, a child should drink 1-1.5 liters of liquid. When the air temperature rises above 30 degrees, this volume can be up to 3 liters of water. Maintaining water balance is one of the important measures to prevent heat illness. Even breastfed babies need extra water. It will be more convenient for Mom to give it not through a spoon, but from a syringe without a needle. In this case, you need to direct the stream of water along the wall of the cheek. So he won't spit it out. Otherwise, he will definitely do it. He will quickly realize that this is not mother's milk at all, but something much less tasty ... Although I must say that some children drink water very willingly.
  9. Periodically wipe your face and baby's arms with a wet diaper. Wash your baby often. This will help him cool down and wash away the annoying sweat that causes prickly heat in children instantly.
  10. Proper nutrition in hot weather is also worth paying attention to. In hot weather, do not eat tightly. Children, as a rule, do not want to eat in the hours of the sun. Give the child the opportunity to snack on juicy fruits and vegetables, light milk products. Transfer a full meal to the evening. In hot weather, do not rush to go outside immediately after eating. At best, this can only be done in an hour.
  11. At the slightest suspicion of feeling unwell or unwell, immediately stop walking or relaxing on the beach. Get medical attention.

These simple rules will help you and your children enjoy sunny weather without worrying about your health. May the sun be your joy!

In hot weather, the baby's body overheats, there is a lack of fluid, thereby causing heatstroke. In such a situation, adults need to know about its symptoms and methods of treatment or first aid.

What is heatstroke?

This phenomenon is observed with significant overheating of the child's body and a lack of fluid. Babies cannot say about the desire to drink water, they are often dressed in too warm clothes. In older children, heat attack can occur due to any unforeseen factors. As a result, a pathological condition arises that is harmful to the entire body.

Heatstroke is the body's reaction to hot weather and high temperature conditions in an apartment with high humidity. It does not appear immediately, but after a while. Parents are obliged to know the main signs and methods of treating this harmful phenomenon in order to provide the baby with the first necessary aid if necessary.

Reasons for getting heatstroke

The most important reason for this phenomenon is a violation of the body's thermoregulation. It should be remembered that in young children, the thermoregulation system is not fully formed. Babies are most susceptible to heatstroke.

Doctors identify several factors that affect the receipt of heat shock:

  • long stay in an unventilated room with an air temperature of more than 28C;
  • warm clothes;
  • close location of the child's bed to the battery;
  • prolonged exposure to the street in hot weather without the possibility of drinking liquids.

Experts distinguish three degrees of severity of the disease. With a mild degree, the baby will feel weak, a headache will appear and breathing will become more frequent. With a moderate degree, vomiting appears, coordination of movements weakens and body temperature rises sharply. With a severe degree, hallucinations and delirium begin, convulsions appear, the temperature reaches 42C. In crumbs under the age of 2 years, the muscles of the arms and legs can twitch and the facial features can sharpen.

With severe heatstroke, your toddler may faint and fall into a coma.

Heatstroke symptoms

The symptomatology of the phenomenon is similar to sunstroke, but no burns appear on the skin. It is important for adults to pay attention to the general condition of the baby in time:

  • an increase in body temperature up to 40C;
  • blue mucous membranes and lips;
  • low sweating;
  • fast pulse and breathing;
  • pallor;
  • loss of consciousness;
  • weakness, vomiting.

In children 5 years of age and older, symptoms usually do not appear particularly pronounced. But if you find several signs, you should urgently go to a medical institution, since heatstroke in a child can, in rare cases, lead to death.

First emergency aid to the baby

The first step is to eliminate the causes of heatstroke. The child should be moved to a cool room (18-20C), warm clothes should be removed from him. In no case should you use antipyretic drugs. To lower the body temperature, the baby's skin is wiped with alcohol (50%) or vodka, cologne or alcohol-containing lotion.

It is necessary to compensate for the lack of fluid in the body, constantly giving a large amount of fluid. You can cool your head by applying a bag of cool water.

Home remedies for heatstroke

Newborn babies with heatstroke need professional medical attention. The decision to hospitalize a child 10 years of age and older is made by the doctor individually, depending on the severity and general condition of the body. In any case, it is necessary to provide possible assistance and try to alleviate his condition at home.

  • The amount of food consumed by the baby should be reduced by 40%. Sour mixtures and biologics should be included in the diet. Gradually increase the amount of food to the usual rate over several days.
  • A person with heatstroke must necessarily drink plenty of fluids. Water, tea, mild salt (0.9%), baking soda (0.5%), or glucose (5%) will work.

Doctors advise using various medications to eliminate symptoms:

  • Belladonna is used for severe headaches, redness of the skin and heat every 15 minutes 5 times;
  • Cuprum Metallicum is prescribed for muscle cramps every 30 minutes, one dose;
  • Natrum carbonicum is necessary for vomiting and general weakness.

Prevention of heatstroke in babies

Any disease is easier to prevent than to cure for a long time. To protect children, you must follow a few simple rules.

At 3 years old, a child does not understand how much fluid his body needs to feel good. Parents should carefully monitor the amount of water they drink. If necessary, give tea, water, compote on time. In the summer, the body's need for fluid increases significantly.

Most parents have a tendency to dress the child in warmer clothes, thus provoking heatstroke. It is necessary to select things in accordance with the weather conditions, without wrapping the baby.

The children's room should be at the optimum temperature (18-22C). If the air humidity is not suitable, special devices can be used to normalize it.

The opinion of Dr. Komarovsky

Doctor Komarovsky believes that there is nothing wrong with heatstroke. The most important thing is to know what it is and how to properly provide assistance in obtaining it. It is very easy to disrupt the child's heat transfer capabilities. To avoid heatstroke, you need to follow the basic rules:

  • you must not allow a deficiency of fluid in the body,
  • in hot weather, you should choose loose clothing and protect your head from the sun's rays,
  • no need to force him to eat (minimum fat, maximum vegetables and fruits in the diet),
  • it is undesirable to consume hot drinks;
  • limit the time of the child's stay in places where it is hot and stuffy,
  • sunbathing from 10.00 to 16.00 is dangerous for the health of the baby,
  • monitor its activity;
  • use conditioner if necessary.
  • When traveling to the sea, parents do not need to restrict the bathing of their children, leaving less time for sun exposure.
  • An overweight child increases the percentage of heatstroke, because heat dissipation is much slower.
  • Many allergy medications block sweating and heat release. Before using any medication, you need to consult a specialist.
  • The doctor believes that sun exposure can only harm children. Parents should strictly monitor the baby, and in warm weather, always have a bottle of liquid with them.

It turns out that heatstroke is not a terrible disease. It can be easily prevented by following the tips and tricks above.

Summer is undoubtedly the most favorite time of the year, not only for most adults, but also for children. But in addition to the sun and heat, it poses a considerable threat to the health of young children. After all, babies often get heatstroke from a long stay in the heat. This is what our article will be about.

Heatstroke is the body's response to overheating.

Signs Description External Redness of the skin There is not only a blush on the cheeks, the hands, neck, back and tummy turn red, less often redness reaches the legs. General weakness The child does not want to engage in vigorous activity, he always tries to sit or even lie down, sluggishly answers questions. Dyspnea It manifests itself with moderate and severe heatstroke, any movement causes shortness of breath, the baby begins to breathe through his mouth, often gasping for air. Vomit It is also typical for moderate severity of the disease, it becomes difficult for the stomach to digest the ingested food. Dry skin The normal reaction to heating is increased sweating, with heatstroke the skin becomes very dry, the back, armpits, palms do not sweat, thermoregulation is disturbed. Heat Although it is an external sign, it is not always possible to recognize it immediately, nevertheless, even if it seemed to you that the baby's skin became hotter than usual in warm weather, there is a reason to immediately return home and measure the temperature with a thermometer. Signs a child might complain about Dizziness It can be difficult to notice right away, the child himself may say that his head is spinning. Nausea No vomiting, but the baby feels uncomfortable. Darkening in the eyes A child can say that midges are flying in front of his eyes, complain that suddenly it becomes dark in his eyes. Muscle spasms Reduces limbs, weak twitching appears in the muscles.

Since the main cause of heatstroke is high temperature, then all actions in this case should be aimed at reducing it.

Heatstroke does not only occur when exposed to direct sunlight. Overheating of the body is formed under the influence of high ambient temperatures.

Prolonged stay in a bath, sauna, exposure to direct sunlight are factors leading to disruption of the central nucleus of thermogenesis - the hypothalamus. This organ is responsible for the interaction between the systems of heat production and perspiration.

Manifestations, signs and symptoms

Long walks in the fresh air, visiting beaches, or working in hot conditions can cause heatstroke.

Long-term overheating of the body should not be allowed. Children have unstable thermoregulatory systems, so even slight overheating can contribute to cerebral edema - this is a life-threatening condition. Against the background of hyperthermia, dehydration, loss of electrolytes, and disturbance of the water-salt balance occur. With the long-term existence of such pathophysiological disorders, the formation of a lethal outcome is likely.

It is advisable not to start heatstroke in a child so that dangerous consequences do not arise.

Early and late signs of heatstroke in children

Against the background of the acceleration of biochemical reactions, dehydration of the body occurs, accompanied by an excessive loss of fluid. Early signs of fluid loss:

  1. Thirst;
  2. Dry mouth;
  3. Sticky saliva;
  4. Weakening of urination, the appearance of yellowish discharge from the urethra.

With moderate hyperthermia, the following symptoms of the disease appear:

  • Lachrymation;
  • Dry mouth;
  • Thirst;
  • Brown urine;
  • Headaches and dizziness;
  • Restless behavior;
  • Irritability;
  • Muscle cramps;
  • Coldness of the extremities;
  • Cardiopalmus.

When the above symptoms of the disease appear, the patient must be hospitalized. Correction of violations requires the use of resuscitation equipment. A high qualification of a doctor is required to prevent life-threatening complications in children.

With a severe stage of the disease, the following symptoms appear:

  • Impossibility of walking;
  • Attacks of anger and embarrassment;
  • Drowsiness;
  • Weak pulse;
  • Dry and hot skin;
  • Lack of urination;
  • Loss of consciousness;
  • Increased breathing.

To eliminate complete dehydration of the body, it is necessary to infuse salt and detoxification (eliminate the accumulation of toxins in the blood) solutions. To oxygenate vital organs, an ambulance call is required.

Mild dehydration can be treated at home, but if signs of severe intoxication appear, immediate hospitalization is required.

Fluid loss is especially dangerous for newborn babies. A rapid rise in temperature, significant loss of water is dangerous, a decrease in the concentration of minerals, vomiting and diarrhea are life-threatening.

Mineral complexes (electrolytes) are natural complexes that are necessary for the course of biochemical reactions in the body. Magnesium, sodium, calcium, potassium are minerals, without which normal cellular activity is necessary.

Electrolytes are involved in the formation of bones, the work of the endocrine system, and the gastrointestinal tract. Dehydration of the body can provoke the following symptoms of heatstroke:

  • Muscle cramps;
  • Fainting;
  • Acceleration of the heartbeat;
  • Redness of the skin;
  • Heavy sweating;
  • Hot, dry skin
  • Ulceration.

To prevent the above complications, first aid should be provided immediately after the detection of at least one sign of pathology.

Treatment for heatstroke in a child

When the body overheats, the most important procedure is to transfer the victim to a cool place. Providing opportunities for fresh air. If a person is conscious, he needs to drink strong tea. Apply a compress on the basis of a salted towel to your head (to prepare the solution, add a teaspoon of salt to 0.5 liters of water).

When the body overheats, stagnant changes in the brain tissue occur, oxygen supply to the heart muscle is disrupted, and hypoxia of internal organs is formed. Such changes negatively affect the work of internal organs.

Timely cooling, wrapping the child's body with a sheet, allows you to normalize the local blood supply, prevent edema, and restore vascular permeability.

With the development of a moderate degree of overheating, cooling is not enough to normalize health.

If the victim is "loaded", pay attention to his breathing. When the tongue sinks or vomit enters the bronchi, air permeability is disrupted and the tissues begin to experience oxygen starvation. The condition is especially dangerous for the functioning of the brain.

Treatment of heatstroke with similar symptoms requires restoration of patency. You can use a handkerchief or bandage to clean your mouth. With weak breathing, no pulse, an emergency heart massage is required.

Artificial ventilation of the lungs is difficult without medical skills. To prevent a real threat to human life with moderate or severe degree is possible only with the use of drugs. The therapy is carried out in an intensive care unit, where there is all the necessary equipment for artificial ventilation of the lungs and direct heart massage.

Features of hyperthermia in children

There are some features of overheating of the body in children. A febrile reaction is often observed, but the overall temperature is different.

So, with overheating and the presence of a focus of bacterial infection in the body, the body temperature does not rise above 41 degrees. The "central thermostat" is responsible for such features. The hypothalamus is a gland located in the brain. It regulates the process of heat generation and heat transfer.

Fever is a favorable situation. Hyperthermic syndrome in children is a dangerous situation. It develops at temperatures over 41.7 degrees. In nosology, the functionality of the hypothalamus is disrupted, which does not allow the body to rationally balance between the processes of heat generation and sweat production.

The fever is under the complete control of the nucleus. Only when the temperature rises above 38.5, pediatricians recommend starting treatment for the disease. Scientists have not established a reliable connection between increased thermogenesis and infectious diseases. However, in most children with heatstroke and fever with peaks of 38-39 degrees, scientists find an acute or chronic bacterial infection of a specific organ.

Hyperthermia over 38.4 degrees is never observed from 6 months to 6 years. Only when bacteria attach, the temperature increases to 40 degrees.

There are patterns of febrile syndrome when the body overheats:

  1. Muscle cramps appear in 4% of children, therefore it is recommended to use Relanium, Sibazon;
  2. The likelihood of muscle spasms increases according to the rapid rise in the temperature curve;
  3. The formation of paralysis is observed in children with congenital anomalies of the osteoarticular system, a lack of calcium in the body.

In children with pathology of the central nervous system, respiratory diseases, high hyperthermia, pathological symptoms are formed associated with the low efficacy of antipyretic drugs.

Nurofen, recommended by pediatricians, is ineffective in such a situation. The drug is safe, so it can be used with any diseases accompanied by fever. Nevertheless, the drug does not relieve pathological manifestations of severe heatstroke in a child.

According to clinical studies, the effectiveness of the use of Nurofen for febrile seizures in children increases by 20%. To eliminate the convulsive syndrome, anticonvulsants (sibazon, relanium, seduxen) should be used.

After the treatment of febrile seizures against the background of overheating, dynamic monitoring of the patient should be carried out in order to prevent recurrence of seizures. Scientific experiments have found that the likelihood of pathology increases with the following signs:

  • Hyperthermia in children under 3 months;
  • Chronic diseases;
  • Hypoxia during childbirth;
  • Stiffness of the muscles of the back of the head in a child;
  • Difficulty breathing with neurological disorders;
  • Perinatal antibiotic therapy;
  • Decreased white blood cell count;
  • Meningitis.

In the first years of life, a fever of over 38 degrees Celsius may occur. Against the background of pathology, there can be a manifestation of clinical symptoms of internal diseases. Exacerbation of sinusitis, otitis media, tonsillitis, colitis can be traced in children under 2 years old, which is associated with the instability of the regulatory system.

Heatstroke in a child: medical and physical treatment

After providing first aid, an ambulance call is required, regardless of the severity of the disease. After arriving at the patient, the pediatrician must leave a number of recommendations to the parents:

  • Rubdown is carried out only when the temperature rises above 41 degrees;
  • Febrile seizures are treated with medication only;
  • Rubdown is carried out only with warm water;
  • Cold water causes discomfort and crying;
  • The antipyretic ibuprofen is prescribed only after the temperature curve rises;
  • Wipe down should be done with lukewarm water, not alcohol. Water causes crying, can aggravate a cold, so it must be used with caution. The procedure is canceled in case of chills, convulsions, paralysis of the limbs;
  • To increase the effectiveness of the procedure, an antipyretic drug should be given 30 minutes before its application;
  • Wipe down with water in case of heatstroke should be done immediately;
  • A feverish child should be given a lot to drink;
  • Evaporation of liquid from the surface of the skin increases heat generation. To activate it, you need to expand the skin pores by applying cool compresses to places of intense blood supply (head, chest, back);
  • Do not give aspirin to children to prevent Reye's syndrome;
  • The use of acetaminophen is allowed only at temperatures in the armpit above 39 degrees Celsius;
  • The first-line drug is ibuprofen. Its effectiveness is longer than that of paracetamol, but the effect occurs gradually. It will be more optimal to use drugs based on these ingredients (ibuklin).

The use of any drug in a child must be agreed with the pediatrician. If necessary, emergency procedures need to hospitalize the baby.

Effects of outside temperature on health

According to the severity of clinical symptoms under the influence of external temperature, the following degrees of the disease are distinguished:

  • The 1st degree of thermal shock occurs under the influence of the ambient temperature closer to 40 degrees Celsius. In this condition, heat transfer increases, the evaporation of moisture from the respiratory tract and skin increases. The patient feels lethargic, unwillingness to move, drowsiness. The general condition is satisfactory;
  • Grade 2 (adaptive) occurs at an ambient temperature of about 50 degrees. The heat load is compensated for by the evaporation of moisture. At temperatures above 38.5 degrees, an increase in diastolic pressure by 15-20 mm Hg, systolic - by 10-15 mm is observed. Increased heart rate by 50-60 beats. Against the background of the disease, there is sweating (profuse), redness of the skin;
  • Grade 3 is accompanied by a breakdown of adaptive reactions. With pathology, there is an increase in temperature of more than 60 degrees. In this case, the body temperature can reach 40 degrees. Systolic pressure increases by 30 mm Hg, diastole - by 40 mm Hg. Increase in heart rate up to 150 beats. Against the background of pathology, an increase in lung ventilation is activated. The skin is sharply hyperemic. When examining the patient, there is an increase in sweating, there is pressure in the temples, anxiety, agitation appears;
  • Grade 4 is characterized by a failure of adaptive reactions. Against the background of pathology, damage to the cardiovascular system is traced, pathological reactions of the central nervous system occur.

It should be noted that the greater the degree of overheating of the body, the more difficult it is to treat it. At home, only mild heatstroke therapy in children is possible.

Heatstroke is a dangerous pathology that should be treated with extreme caution.

Heatstroke is especially dangerous for young children and the elderly. They develop overheating and hypothermia much faster. However, not all parents know how to identify the problem. After reading this article, you will find out what the symptoms and treatment of heatstroke in a child are.

What it is?

The term "heatstroke" denotes a condition that was the result of excessive overheating of the entire body and the brain in particular. In this case, the body loses the ability to maintain its own normal temperature. Lack of adequate thermoregulation leads to a variety of disorders, many of which pose a serious danger to the child.

Hyperthermia (overheating) causes disruption of the activity of organs and systems.

In childhood, the center of thermoregulation, which is located in the brain, is not yet mature enough, it is difficult for a baby to cope with a high temperature. This age-related feature complicates his condition when overheating. If a child has chronic diseases, congenital pathologies, then heatstroke is a mortal danger.

Do not assume that only solar damage is called heatstroke, which children can get if they are too long under the open rays of the sun. Heatstroke can also be obtained in cloudy weather, and not only outdoors, but also under a roof - for example, in a bathhouse, in a sauna.

Causes

There are only two reasons why heatstroke develops:

  • exposure to high temperatures from the outside;
  • inability to quickly adapt and compensate for excessive overheating.

Many things affect the likelihood of developing such a condition.- the age of the child (the younger the crumb, the more likely it is to hit), the preliminary intake of medications (antibiotics, immunostimulants or immunosuppressants, as well as hormonal agents), a tendency to allergies and even an increased sensitivity to weather changes, which, by the way, is observed in most babies.

The most harmful effect of heat affects children with diabetes mellitus, heart and vascular diseases, including those with congenital malformations, children suffering from bronchial asthma, babies with mental illness and diseases of the nervous system, very thin children and overweight toddlers, and also on children with hepatitis.

The most dangerous age in terms of the development of a strong heatstroke is 1-2-3 years.

Among the additional negative factors that in every possible way contribute to the onset of pathology are closed clothes that create a greenhouse effect, increased air humidity, and dehydration in a child. Heatstroke is especially dangerous, which occurs when several unfavorable circumstances coincide - for example, in a small child, whom his parents took to rest in an exotic country, because. Complex biological processes of acclimatization are added to age. In combination with the heat, the effect will not be long in coming, and such a baby may well end up in intensive care.

Many parents still confuse sunstroke and heatstroke. Having provided the child with a panama hat and an umbrella from the sun, they believe that he is reliably insured against overheating. Such a toddler is really protected from sunstroke, but it may well get heat in a panama hat and under an umbrella in the shade - if it stays in the heat for too long.

The center of thermoregulation is located in the diencephalon of the brain. When it overheats, it "malfunctions" and the body cannot efficiently and quickly get rid of excess heat. Usually this physiological process occurs with perspiration. In response to the heat, the thermoregulatory center sends a signal to the sweat glands of the skin, which begin to actively produce sweat. Sweat evaporates from the surface of the skin and cools the body.

With heatstroke in a child, the signal from the brain about the need to produce sweat is delayed, sweat is not produced enough, and children's sweat ducts are narrow due to age, which also makes it difficult to sweat (in the right amount and at the right speed).

Now imagine that with all this, the child is wearing synthetic clothing that makes it difficult to evaporate, and does not consume enough liquid. Too humid air (for example, in the tropics or in a bath) does not contribute to evaporation at all. Sweat is released, flows down in streams, but there is no relief, the body does not cool down.

Heatstroke can be caused by increased physical activity. in the heat - outdoor games on the beach, for example. Children with fair skin and blue eyes are the hardest to suffer from heatstroke. They overheat faster and release excess heat more slowly.

A critical temperature is considered a temperature above 30 degrees Celsius, for newborns - above 25 degrees Celsius.

Symptoms and Signs

There are four clinical forms of heatstroke:

  • Asphyxia. All symptoms are associated with impaired respiratory function, up to the development of respiratory failure.
  • Hyperthermic. With this form, a high temperature is observed, the thermometer rises above 39.5-41.0 degrees.
  • Cerebral. With this form of heatstroke, various disorders of the child's nervous activity are observed - delirium, convulsions, tics, and so on.
  • Gastroenteric. The manifestations of this form are usually limited to gastrointestinal disorders - vomiting, diarrhea.

You can recognize characteristic signs of general hyperthermia in a child by the following symptoms:

  • Redness of the skin. If, when exposed to the rays of the sun, the erythema zone is limited to the zone of exposure, then with a general heat stroke, erythema is continuous - absolutely all the skin turns red.
  • Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath. Such signs develop with any type of general thermal injury. Frequent shortness of breath in this case is the body's attempts to cool down through the lungs.
  • General weakness, apathy. The child looks tired, sleepy, he tends to lie down, ceases to show interest in what is happening.

  • Nausea and vomiting. These symptoms are more characteristic of the gastroenteric form, but other types of heat strokes can also accompany.
  • Dizziness. It can be insignificant, or it can be expressed quite clearly, up to episodes of loss of balance.
  • Hallucinations. Visual hallucinations accompany almost all types of heatstroke. Usually they manifest themselves in the subjective perception of non-existent points in front of the eyes, the so-called flies. Small children in response to this may begin to wave their hands, trying to "drive away" them.
  • Rapid and weak pulse. It exceeds normal values ​​by about one and a half times, it is difficult to palpate.

  • Dry skin. The skin feels rough, dry and hot to the touch.
  • Cramps and muscle pain. The seizures can only affect the limbs, but can be spread to the whole body. More often, convulsive syndrome is in the nature of trembling of the arms and legs.
  • Sleep and appetite disorders. Both parameters can be violated to a certain extent, it can reach the complete refusal of the child from food, water and sleep.
  • Incontinence. The inability to control urination and defecation is only apparent in severe heatstroke associated with loss of consciousness.

When symptoms characteristic of hyperthermia appear, parents should assess the severity of the condition.

With a mild form in a child, the skin always remains moist. A complex of symptoms is observed: headache, fever, lethargy, nausea and shortness of breath, as well as increased heart rate. But there is no loss of consciousness, there are no neurological manifestations.

With moderate severity, the temperature is high, the baby moves a little and reluctantly, and there may be short-term episodes of loss of consciousness. The headache increases, symptoms of intoxication appear - vomiting and diarrhea (or one thing). The skin is red and hot.

With a severe course, the child is delirious, loses consciousness, experiences convulsions, speech can be confused, there are hallucinations. The temperature is at 41.0, sometimes reaching 42.0 degrees. The skin is red, dry and very hot.

It is possible to distinguish heatstroke from sunstroke by a combination of clinical signs. After excessive exposure to the sun, only a severe headache, nausea is observed, the temperature rarely rises to 39.5 degrees.

Dangers and consequences

Heat injury for a child is dangerous primarily due to the state of dehydration. With extreme heat, fever and the manifestation of the gag reflex, it occurs very quickly. The younger the toddler, the more rapidly it loses its moisture reserves. This is a deadly condition.

High fever with heatstroke can trigger febrile seizures and other neurological disorders in a child. The most dangerous are severe degrees of impact, with which the forecasts are rather dubious.

Mild degrees of heatstroke usually have no or minimal impact. Moderate and severe can lead to the development of renal failure, respiratory arrest, cardiac arrest, as well as long-term consequences, which are mainly expressed in serious neurological disorders. Sometimes they stay with the child for life.

Severe overheating of the brain can cause a wide range of disorders in all organs and systems.

First aid

If a child has signs of heatstroke, an ambulance should be called as soon as possible. While doctors are on call, the parents' task is to provide emergency care correctly. The main direction is the cooling of the body. And here the main thing is not to overdo it.

The algorithm of actions is as follows:

  • The child is placed in the shade, brought into a cool room, safely sheltered from sunlight. If the blow happened after the bath, they take it out into the street.
  • All tight and tight clothing is removed. They unbutton their trousers, remove the belts.
  • The child should be laid on his back if there is no nausea, or on his side if there is nausea and vomiting. The baby's legs are slightly raised by placing a roll-folded towel or any other object under them.
  • Cold compresses are applied to the forehead, back of the head, hands, and feet. Pieces of cloth, towels soaked in cold water will do. However, in no case should ice be used, since excessive cooling can cause vascular collapse.

  • Open all windows if the child is indoors so that there is no shortage of fresh air.
  • While waiting for the doctor, you can pour cool water on the body (the temperature of the liquid is from 18 to 20 degrees, no less). If it is possible to fill the bathtub with water of this temperature, you should do this and immerse the child in the water, leaving only the head above the surface of the water.
  • In case of attacks of loss of consciousness, the child is allowed to sniff ammonia.

  • With convulsions, they do not hold the child's body, do not straighten the contracted muscles, this is fraught with fractures. You cannot unclench your teeth and shove an iron spoon into the baby's mouth - you can break your teeth, the fragments of which can get into the respiratory tract.
  • In all cases (with the exception of loss of consciousness and seizures), the child is given a plentiful warm drink. After fainting, sweet weak tea is also given. It is forbidden to give strong tea to a child, as this can negatively affect the heart.
  • In the absence of breathing and heartbeat, emergency artificial respiration and chest compressions are performed.
  • You should not give your child any medication before the arrival of the medical team. In the presence of seizures and episodes of loss of consciousness, it is imperative to record the time of the beginning and end of the attacks in order to communicate this information to the visiting doctor.

Treatment

With a mild degree of heatstroke, the child will remain at home for treatment.

Moderate and severe conditions require hospitalization.

The first medical aid, of course, will be provided on the spot. If necessary, the child will be given a heart massage, artificial respiration, and drugs to normalize cardiac activity. But the rest will be done by the doctors of the children's hospital.

Usually, intensive rehydration therapy is performed on the first day. A large amount of saline is injected intravenously with minerals necessary for the normal functioning of the heart and nervous system. When the risk of dehydration recedes, the child is examined by all specialists, first of all - a cardiologist, neurologist, pediatrician. If pathologies caused by hyperthermia are detected, appropriate treatment will be prescribed.

The high temperature after heatstroke usually lasts for several days. All this time, the child is recommended to take antipyretic drugs based on paracetamol.

A mild degree of heatstroke should be treated at home, taking into account the same requirements. Reduce the temperature, if it rises to high values, give the child water solutions for oral rehydration - "Smekta", "Regidron".

When the first signs of dehydration appear, one should not hesitate with hospitalization, since it is not for the faint of heart to get the child out of this state at home. Attempts to do this on your own can end very badly.

At home, the baby can be wrapped in a damp, cool diaper several times a day; for an older baby, you can provide a cool bath or shower. It is a big mistake for parents to turn on fans or air conditioners while wet wrapping. Very often, this "treatment" ends with the development of pneumonia.

During home treatment, it is important to give the child as much liquid as possible, all food should be light, quickly absorbed. You need to feed the child only when it asks about it. It is better to give preference to vegetable soups with lean broth, jelly, fruit drinks, cereals without butter, fruit and vegetable salads.

The diet should be followed until all symptoms disappear completely and the gastrointestinal tract normalizes.

Prevention

The prudence of the parents and their compliance with simple safety rules will help protect the child from heatstroke:

  • If you plan to relax on the beach, long walks in the hot season, you should make sure that the child has clothes made from natural fabrics, in which the baby's skin can freely "breathe" and evaporate sweat. It is best to opt for light colored clothing as it reflects sunlight and reduces the chance of overheating.
  • When on the beach, for a walk, in the bath, the child's head should always be covered with a light-colored Panama hat or a special bath cap.

  • Do not walk or sunbathe for a long time after 11 am and until 4 pm. Before and after this time, you can sunbathe and walk, but with restrictions. A child (especially a newborn or nursing baby) should not be exposed to the sun, even during "safe" hours.
  • If the child is small, then it is better to refuse active beach activities (trampoline, riding a "banana", beach ball game).
  • Parents who do not see anything wrong with a joint vacation with their baby on the beach should remember that the baby should never spend his lunchtime there, even if he is lying under an umbrella in the shade. This increases the likelihood of heatstroke tenfold.
  • In the hot season, as well as when visiting a bath or sauna, be sure to give your child plenty of fluids. Carbonated drinks are not suitable for this purpose. It is better to use cooked and pre-chilled compote, fruit drink, ordinary drinking water.

  • Never leave your child in a closed car in a parking lot near a store or other institution during the hot season. At a temperature of about 25 degrees Celsius, the car interior overheats in 15 minutes. At the same time, the temperature inside the passenger compartment is significantly higher than the outside thermometer. Very often such stories end with the death of babies.
  • You should not feed the baby tightly and abundantly in the heat. Moreover, fatty foods should be avoided. It is better to give light fruits and vegetables, thin soups during the day.

It is better to postpone a solid meal until the evening, when it becomes cool. You should not take your child out for a walk immediately after eating. If it's hot outside, then you can go for a walk only an hour and a half after lunch or breakfast.

Doctor Komarovsky will tell you how to protect a child from heatstroke in the next video.

Many parents underestimate the dangers of heatstroke, and in vain - the duration of the child's stay in the open sun in the summer season must be strictly controlled.

What is heatstroke?

  • outside in the summer heat;

Heatstroke causes

  • excess weight;
  • pathology of the central nervous system;

Signs in babies

  • the baby is crying loudly;
  • poor appetite;
  • general weakness, apathy.

Symptoms in children over a year old

  • dizziness;
  • headache;
  • a strong feeling of thirst;
  • increased body temperature;
  • redness of the skin;
  • dry lips;
  • sudden bouts of vomiting;
  • nausea;
  • general weakness.

Heatstroke treatment

How to help a baby?

Treatment of babies 2-3 years old

  • hormonal agents;

The consequences of hyperthermia

Overheating reasons

  • high air humidity;

Face colour Pale Red with a bright blush
Leather Wet, sticky Dry, hot to the touch
Thirst Pronounced May already be absent
Sweating Reinforced Reduced
Consciousness Fainting possible
Headache Is characteristic Is characteristic
Body temperature High, sometimes 40 ° C and above
Breath Normal Accelerated, superficial
Palpitations Rapid, weak pulse
Convulsions Rarely Present

First aid for overheating

Heatstroke is life-threatening for a child. The body of children is especially susceptible to sunstroke if babies do not drink enough fluids, and for a long time are in direct sunlight in the summer.

The baby's body generates a tremendous amount of heat. Generally, bodies are cooled by perspiration and by radiating heat through the skin. But on a very sunny and hot day, the natural cooling system can malfunction, allowing heat to build up in the body to dangerous levels. As a result, heatstroke may occur.

The following signs will help to determine that the child has a heat stroke: dizziness, fever, lethargy, pallor of the skin, vomiting, diarrhea.

Causes

Sunstroke is the most severe form of heat sickness and is often accompanied by dehydration. Heatstroke is life-threatening for a small child, in particular an infant (for children under one year old). The body temperature can rise to 41 ° C or even higher, leading to brain damage or even death.

One of the reasons that increases the likelihood of sunstroke in children may be increased physical activity (at home, at sea, etc.) in hot weather with insufficient fluid intake. Another reason is dehydration.

Dehydrated children are unable to sweat fast enough to dissipate the heat that keeps them high.

Also, heatstroke in children can occur when you leave them in a parked car for a long time during hot days. When the outside temperature is 33 ° C, and the temperature inside the car can reach 51 ° C in just 20 minutes, the body temperature will quickly rise to dangerous levels.

Especially often, overheating occurs in a combination of high temperature and high humidity. Dressing an infant in too many layers of clothing can cause physical activity, which leads to overheating, even when the ambient temperature is not too high.

Prolonged exposure to high temperatures, direct sunlight and insufficient fluid intake will lead to a sharp deterioration in the child's well-being.

Symptoms and Signs

The first signs of dehydration appear as fatigue, thirst, dry lips and tongue, lack of energy and feeling of heat in the body... After a while, the following symptoms appear, the consequences of which are extremely dangerous:

  • pale skin;
  • confusion in conversation, unconsciousness;
  • darkening of urine;
  • dizziness;
  • fainting;
  • hallucinations;
  • fatigue;
  • headache;
  • fast and shallow breathing;
  • fast heartbeat;
  • muscle or abdominal cramps;
  • nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
  • gastrointestinal bleeding;
  • renal failure syndrome;
  • acute kidney damage.

Diagnostics

The presence of obvious symptoms already makes it possible to make a diagnosis, but medical institutions must make differential diagnostics with such diseases as: delirium tremens, hepatic encephalopathy, uremic encephalopathy, hyperthyroidism, meningitis, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, tetanus, cocaine poisoning, which have similar symptoms and signs.

Tests include:

  • blood test - how much sodium, potassium and gases is in the blood to assess how much damage the central nervous system has suffered;
  • urinalysis - check the color of urine, as a rule, it darkens when the kidneys overheat, which may be affected by heatstroke;
  • check for muscle damage and other tests of internal organs.

Treatment

Treatment consists of a rapid decrease in body temperature to normal levels. If a child has heatstroke, at least one of the symptoms manifests itself - call an ambulance immediately. If you can get the baby to the hospital yourself, do it as quickly as possible. Follow-up treatment can take place at home.

First aid must be provided without delay, otherwise the consequences can be fatal.

In the body, after a while, irreversible processes occur, which subsequently damage the central nervous system, which can lead to disability or even death.

First aid

Waiting for doctors start treating and helping your child on your own, following a simple strategy to cool the baby's body. The main thing is to do everything quickly:

  • take the child to a cooler place or in the shade;
  • remove excess clothing;
  • provide plenty of drink, give a cool liquid containing salt and sugar;
  • For a baby under one year old, you can give breast milk, formula, or baby food.

Knock down the temperature

Bringing down the temperature is the first action that you must do after calling the doctors. Try to lower your core temperature as quickly as possible. Watch your child's mind, as sunstroke can very easily lead to fainting. The child's condition is directly related to how long heatstroke lasts.

Do not use antipyretics! The use of antipyretic drugs (for example, paracetamol) is impractical and even dangerous.

Temperature reduction methods:

  • moisten the entire body with water using a sponge or cloth;
  • turn on the fan to speed up the heat transfer process;
  • wipe all skin with alcohol or kefir;
  • use ice packs, placing them under the armpits, groin, and neck, since these are areas that are rich in blood vessels;
  • immerse the victim in a bath or shower with cold water.

Prevention

Prevention is a precautionary measure to prevent heatstroke in a child and other heat-related illnesses.

  • If you are going to be outdoors, wear a light, wide-brimmed hat or umbrella to avoid direct sunlight and burns.
  • Teach your children to drink plenty of fluids at all times before and during any activity in hot and sunny weather, even if they are not thirsty.
  • Babies who are breastfed also need more fluid from a bottle or breast.
  • If you are a nursing mother, you should increase your fluid intake to prevent dehydration.
  • Dress your children in light-colored and loose-fitting clothing.
  • If you go for a walk, bring your sunglasses, hat and cream.
  • Don't let your kids be outdoors during the hottest hours of the day.
  • Warn them to come indoors immediately when they feel unwell and stay at home until the effects of sunstroke disappear.
  • The room should be well ventilated, preferably with air conditioning.

And most importantly, never leave your child unattended in the car, on the street, at the sea, etc. during the hot season.

Summer is a long-awaited time for every child. During this time of the year, especially on hot days, children spend a lot of time outdoors, so parents should remember that prolonged exposure to the sun can lead to heatstroke. It is very important to know how to prevent heatstroke and what to do if this trouble occurs with the child.

Many parents underestimate the dangers of heatstroke, and in vain - the duration of a child's stay in the open sun during the summer season must be strictly controlled. What is heatstroke?

Heatstroke is a pathological condition of a person that occurs under the influence of high temperatures, in which the process of thermoregulation is disrupted. The body receives a large amount of heat from the outside, in addition to that generated as a result of vital activity, which leads to overheating.

Long stay leads to heatstroke:

  • outside in the summer heat;
  • in a room with a high air temperature;
  • in clothes that are too warm out of season.

Heatstroke causes

The main reason is the strong overheating of the body. With a prolonged stay in a hot room or outside in the summer heat, a failure occurs in the part of the brain responsible for thermoregulation. The heat generated by humans is stored in the body and cannot be released.

The process of heat transfer in humans occurs when sweat is produced, which evaporates, cooling the body. Heat is also given off when cold air is inhaled and the capillaries close to the skin's surface expand. In summer, the air temperature is high, which means that the body does not generate heat for warming it. Other types of thermoregulation do their job well, if you do not create obstacles to them.

In order to protect the child from overheating, it is necessary to make sure that he has something to quench his thirst, and clothes do not interfere with the evaporation of sweat. Fluid from the surface of the body evaporates only if the ambient air is drier than the air under the clothes. With high humidity, sweat does not evaporate, but flows down in a stream, while the surface of the skin does not cool. Clothing should not be too close to the body so as not to interfere with heat dissipation.

The main factors preventing heat transfer are:

  • air temperature higher than body temperature, at which heat is not removed from the body;
  • high values ​​of air humidity;
  • synthetic or too warm clothing;
  • prolonged exposure to direct sunlight;
  • physical activity in the summer heat;
  • excess weight;
  • light-skinned children are more prone to overheating;
  • pathology of the central nervous system;
  • unstable thermoregulation system.

Symptoms in children at different ages

The signs of hyperthermia in children are more pronounced than in adults, and the clinical condition can worsen very quickly.

Overheating leads to dehydration and intoxication of the body, which lead to serious complications and pose a threat to the health and life of the child. If you develop characteristic signs, you should consult a doctor.

Symptoms for heatstroke in infants are different. In order to help the child in time and avoid the transition of the disease to a more severe form, you need to know how it manifests itself and how long overheating in children lasts.

Signs in babies

Babies under one year old are often overcooled and easily overheated, so there is no need to wrap them up in a well-heated room. Heatstroke can be determined by the following criteria:

  • the baby is crying loudly;
  • the face turns red, the temperature rises;
  • sticky sweat appears on the tummy and back;
  • signs of dehydration appear (reddened eyes, dry armpits and lips);
  • poor appetite;
  • general weakness, apathy.

In infants, the process of dehydration of the body occurs very quickly, therefore, at the first symptoms of heatstroke, it is necessary to seek medical help.

When a child has characteristic symptoms, he needs to provide first aid and go to a medical institution. If heatstroke in an infant is not recognized in time, severe dehydration and loss of consciousness may occur.

Symptoms in children over a year old

Clothes that are too warm also provoke overheating in children over a year old. This is also facilitated by the increased activity of babies, in which their body temperature rises, and clothing does not allow heat to come out. In unventilated, warm rooms, the likelihood of overheating increases.

In children over 1-2 years old, it is much easier to recognize heatstroke, since the symptoms are more pronounced:

  • with a mild degree of overheating, babies are characterized by increased physical activity, leading to a deterioration in the condition;
  • dizziness;
  • headache;
  • a strong feeling of thirst;
  • increased body temperature;
  • redness of the skin;
  • dry lips;
  • sudden bouts of vomiting;
  • nausea;
  • general weakness.

With mild heatstroke, the baby is weak and thirsty, nausea and vomiting are possible.

At the first symptoms of heatstroke in a child, you need to call a doctor. Before their arrival, parents need to do the following:

  • Move the child to a well-ventilated, cool area.
  • Lay the baby on a horizontal surface.
  • If a child is in a fainting state, it is necessary to raise his legs, first placing a towel or something from clothes under them. In this position, blood flow to the head improves.
  • If you vomit heavily, you need to turn your baby's head to one side to provide airflow to the lungs.
  • If clothing is made of synthetic materials or impedes movement, remove it completely.
  • To avoid dehydration, the child must be given water to drink. It should be given often in small sips. To restore the salt balance, it is better to give mineral water or saline solutions such as Rehydron, Trihydron, Reosalan - this will help prevent cramps.
  • Any cloth dampened with water should be applied to the back of the head and neck. You can also wipe the child's body with it or gradually douse it with water at room temperature. It is impossible to bring a hot baby into a cold pond.

In case of heatstroke, a cold compress must be applied to the child's forehead.

  • You need to put something cold on your forehead, such as a bottle or bag. The newborn can be completely wrapped in a wet towel or sheet.
  • For proper breathing, it is necessary to provide air flow with a fan or newspaper.
  • In case of a fainting state, the baby can be given a sniff of a cotton swab moistened with a solution of ammonia, which can be found in any car medicine cabinet.
  • In case of a sudden cessation of breathing in a child, if the medical team has not yet arrived, it is necessary to give him artificial respiration. To do this, the baby's head is slightly thrown back, one hand is covering the baby's nose, and the other is holding the chin. After a deep breath, air is released into the mouth for a few seconds. When air enters the lungs, the chest should rise.

Heatstroke treatment

Treatment of hyperthermia begins with first aid to the child. After the arrival of the doctors, the patient is hospitalized and the treatment is continued in a hospital setting. A child who has suffered heatstroke must be treated. Otherwise, it is very difficult to avoid serious consequences for the health of the baby.

How to help a baby?

The first task of parents with heatstroke in infants is to lower body temperature. To do this, he must be completely undressed or undressed.

Then they move on to other cooling methods:

  • wipe the baby's body with water, the temperature of which should be at least 20 ° C, too cold water can provoke a deterioration in the condition;
  • wrap the newborn in a cold diaper, which must be changed every 8-10 minutes;
  • put the child in a bath with water at room temperature for 5-7 minutes.

If the procedures are carried out at home, then it is necessary that an air conditioner or fan is working in the room. If first aid is provided on the street, then the patient is transferred to the shade.

After overheating, the newborn is provided with a constant flow of fluid into the body. Every 30 minutes, your baby needs to drink at least 50 ml of water or breast milk. With hyperthermia, accompanied by vomiting, the dose of fluid is increased.

If heatstroke is accompanied by cardiac arrest, the baby is given artificial respiration, alternating with heart massage. Each inhalation should be followed by 5 presses on the lower part of the sternum.

Treatment of babies 2-3 years old

With hyperthermia in a 2-3-year-old child, treatment is carried out in a similar way. Ambulance doctors assess the general condition of the patient and, if necessary, hospitalize him in a hospital.

Treatment for heatstroke depends on its severity, sometimes doctors insist on hospitalization of the child

The drug therapy regimen for children under 4 years old is as follows:

  • taking anti-shock and antipyretic drugs with a dosage corresponding to the age of the child;
  • intravenous administration of solutions to normalize the electrolyte balance in the child's body;
  • taking hormonal drugs to improve hemodynamics;
  • anticonvulsants are prescribed as needed;
  • in critical situations, tracheal intubation is performed.

Therapy for children over 3 years old

Children of preschool and school age have more stable thermoregulation, but, despite this, they can also get heatstroke when they are in the sun for a long time or in a very hot room. In a hospital setting, therapy is performed using the following medications:

  • drugs Droperidol and Aminazin are administered intravenously according to the instructions;
  • saline solutions are poured using a dropper to prevent dehydration and normalize electrolyte levels;
  • cardiotonics normalize the work of the cardiovascular system;
  • hormonal agents;
  • the anticonvulsants Diazepam and Seduxen are used for treatment only when needed.

The consequences of hyperthermia

In case of hyperthermia, help should be provided immediately. If in the first hours after the detection of the pathology, no medical procedures are carried out, the child will have serious complications:

  1. Thickening of the blood. It occurs due to lack of fluid, leads to heart failure, thrombosis, heart attack.
  2. Severe renal failure. In most cases, it appears under the influence of metabolic products formed in the body at high temperatures.
  3. Respiratory failure. It is associated with changes in the region of the brain responsible for respiratory function. With hyperthermia, it manifests itself in an acute form.
  4. Damage to the central nervous system, the main symptoms of which are: severe vomiting, fainting, impaired hearing, speech and vision.
  5. Shock is one of the most dangerous conditions associated with dehydration. With an imbalance of electrolytes in the body, the blood supply to most internal organs is disrupted.

Heatstroke is especially dangerous for young children and the elderly. They develop overheating and hypothermia much faster. However, not all parents know how to identify the problem. After reading this article, you will find out what the symptoms and treatment of heatstroke in a child are.


What it is?

The term "heatstroke" denotes a condition that was the result of excessive overheating of the entire body and the brain in particular. In this case, the body loses the ability to maintain its own normal temperature. Lack of adequate thermoregulation leads to a variety of disorders, many of which pose a serious danger to the child.

Hyperthermia (overheating) causes disruption of the activity of organs and systems.


In childhood, the center of thermoregulation, which is located in the brain, is not yet mature enough, it is difficult for a baby to cope with a high temperature. This age-related feature complicates his condition when overheating. If a child has chronic diseases, congenital pathologies, then heatstroke is a mortal danger.

Do not assume that only solar damage is called heatstroke, which children can get if they are too long under the open rays of the sun. Heatstroke can also be obtained in cloudy weather, and not only outdoors, but also under a roof - for example, in a bathhouse, in a sauna.

There are only two reasons why heatstroke develops:

  • exposure to high temperatures from the outside;
  • inability to quickly adapt and compensate for excessive overheating.

Many things affect the likelihood of developing such a condition.- the age of the child (the younger the crumb, the more likely it is to hit), the preliminary intake of medications (antibiotics, immunostimulants or immunosuppressants, as well as hormonal agents), a tendency to allergies and even an increased sensitivity to weather changes, which, by the way, is observed in most babies.

The most detrimental effect of heat affects children with diabetes mellitus, heart and vascular diseases, including those with congenital malformations, children suffering from bronchial asthma, children with mental illness and diseases of the nervous system, very thin children and overweight toddlers, and also on children with hepatitis.

The most dangerous age in terms of the development of a strong heatstroke is 1-2-3 years.

Among the additional negative factors that in every possible way contribute to the onset of pathology are closed clothes that create a greenhouse effect, increased air humidity, and dehydration in a child. Heatstroke is especially dangerous, which occurs when several unfavorable circumstances coincide - for example, in a small child, whom his parents took to rest in an exotic country, because. Complex biological processes of acclimatization are added to age. In combination with the heat, the effect will not be long in coming, and such a baby may well end up in intensive care.

Many parents still confuse sunstroke and heatstroke. Having provided the child with a panama hat and an umbrella from the sun, they believe that he is reliably insured against overheating. Such a toddler is really protected from sunstroke, but it may well get heat in a panama hat and under an umbrella in the shade - if it stays in the heat for too long.


The center of thermoregulation is located in the diencephalon of the brain. When it overheats, it "malfunctions" and the body cannot efficiently and quickly get rid of excess heat. Usually this physiological process occurs with perspiration. In response to the heat, the thermoregulatory center sends a signal to the sweat glands of the skin, which begin to actively produce sweat. Sweat evaporates from the surface of the skin and cools the body.

With heatstroke in a child, the signal from the brain about the need to produce sweat is delayed, sweat is not produced enough, and children's sweat ducts are narrow due to age, which also makes it difficult to sweat (in the right amount and at the right speed).


Now imagine that with all this, the child is wearing synthetic clothing that makes it difficult to evaporate, and does not consume enough liquid. Too humid air (for example, in the tropics or in a bath) does not contribute to evaporation at all. Sweat is released, flows down in streams, but there is no relief, the body does not cool down.

Heatstroke can be caused by increased physical activity. in the heat - outdoor games on the beach, for example. Children with fair skin and blue eyes are the hardest to suffer from heatstroke. They overheat faster and release excess heat more slowly.

A critical temperature is considered a temperature above 30 degrees Celsius, for newborns - above 25 degrees Celsius.

Symptoms and Signs

There are four clinical forms of heatstroke:

  • Asphyxia. All symptoms are associated with impaired respiratory function, up to the development of respiratory failure.
  • Hyperthermic. With this form, a high temperature is observed, the thermometer rises above 39.5-41.0 degrees.
  • Cerebral. With this form of heatstroke, various disorders of the child's nervous activity are observed - delirium, convulsions, tics, and so on.
  • Gastroenteric. The manifestations of this form are usually limited to gastrointestinal disorders - vomiting, diarrhea.

You can recognize characteristic signs of general hyperthermia in a child by the following symptoms:

  • Redness of the skin. If, when exposed to the rays of the sun, the erythema zone is limited to the zone of exposure, then with a general heat stroke, erythema is continuous - absolutely all the skin turns red.
  • Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath. Such signs develop with any type of general thermal injury. Frequent shortness of breath in this case is the body's attempts to cool down through the lungs.
  • General weakness, apathy. The child looks tired, sleepy, he tends to lie down, ceases to show interest in what is happening.


  • Nausea and vomiting. These symptoms are more characteristic of the gastroenteric form, but other types of heat strokes can also accompany.
  • Dizziness. It can be insignificant, or it can be expressed quite clearly, up to episodes of loss of balance.
  • Hallucinations. Visual hallucinations accompany almost all types of heatstroke. Usually they manifest themselves in the subjective perception of non-existent points in front of the eyes, the so-called flies. Small children in response to this may begin to wave their hands, trying to "drive away" them.
  • Rapid and weak pulse. It exceeds normal values ​​by about one and a half times, it is difficult to palpate.
  • Dry skin. The skin feels rough, dry and hot to the touch.
  • Cramps and muscle pain. The seizures can only affect the limbs, but can be spread to the whole body. More often, convulsive syndrome is in the nature of trembling of the arms and legs.
  • Sleep and appetite disorders. Both parameters can be violated to a certain extent, it can reach the complete refusal of the child from food, water and sleep.
  • Incontinence. The inability to control urination and defecation is only apparent in severe heatstroke associated with loss of consciousness.


When symptoms characteristic of hyperthermia appear, parents should assess the severity of the condition.

With a mild form in a child, the skin always remains moist. A complex of symptoms is observed: headache, fever, lethargy, nausea and shortness of breath, as well as increased heart rate. But there is no loss of consciousness, there are no neurological manifestations.

With moderate severity, the temperature is high, the baby moves a little and reluctantly, and there may be short-term episodes of loss of consciousness. The headache increases, symptoms of intoxication appear - vomiting and diarrhea (or one thing). The skin is red and hot.


With a severe course, the child is delirious, loses consciousness, experiences convulsions, speech can be confused, there are hallucinations. The temperature is at 41.0, sometimes reaching 42.0 degrees. The skin is red, dry and very hot.

It is possible to distinguish heatstroke from sunstroke by a combination of clinical signs. After excessive exposure to the sun, only a severe headache, nausea is observed, the temperature rarely rises to 39.5 degrees.

Dangers and consequences

Heat injury for a child is dangerous primarily due to the state of dehydration. With extreme heat, fever and the manifestation of the gag reflex, it occurs very quickly. The younger the toddler, the more rapidly it loses its moisture reserves. This is a deadly condition.

High fever with heatstroke can trigger febrile seizures and other neurological disorders in a child. The most dangerous are severe degrees of impact, with which the forecasts are rather dubious.

Mild degrees of heatstroke usually have no or minimal impact. Moderate and severe can lead to the development of renal failure, respiratory arrest, cardiac arrest, as well as long-term consequences, which are mainly expressed in serious neurological disorders. Sometimes they stay with the child for life.

Severe overheating of the brain can cause a wide range of disorders in all organs and systems.

First aid

If a child has signs of heatstroke, an ambulance should be called as soon as possible. While doctors are on call, the parents' task is to provide emergency care correctly. The main direction is the cooling of the body. And here the main thing is not to overdo it.

The algorithm of actions is as follows:

  • The child is placed in the shade, brought into a cool room, safely sheltered from sunlight. If the blow happened after the bath, they take it out into the street.
  • All tight and tight clothing is removed. They unbutton their trousers, remove the belts.
  • The child should be laid on his back if there is no nausea, or on his side if there is nausea and vomiting. The baby's legs are slightly raised by placing a roll-folded towel or any other object under them.
  • Cold compresses are applied to the forehead, back of the head, hands, and feet. Pieces of cloth, towels soaked in cold water will do. However, in no case should ice be used, since excessive cooling can cause vascular collapse.


  • Open all windows if the child is indoors so that there is no shortage of fresh air.
  • While waiting for the doctor, you can pour cool water on the body (the temperature of the liquid is from 18 to 20 degrees, no less). If it is possible to fill the bathtub with water of this temperature, you should do this and immerse the child in the water, leaving only the head above the surface of the water.
  • In case of attacks of loss of consciousness, the child is allowed to sniff ammonia.
  • With convulsions, they do not hold the child's body, do not straighten the contracted muscles, this is fraught with fractures. You cannot unclench your teeth and shove an iron spoon into the baby's mouth - you can break your teeth, the fragments of which can get into the respiratory tract.
  • In all cases (with the exception of loss of consciousness and seizures), the child is given a plentiful warm drink. After fainting, sweet weak tea is also given. It is forbidden to give strong tea to a child, as this can negatively affect the heart.
  • In the absence of breathing and heartbeat, emergency artificial respiration and chest compressions are performed.
  • You should not give your child any medication before the arrival of the medical team. In the presence of seizures and episodes of loss of consciousness, it is imperative to record the time of the beginning and end of the attacks in order to communicate this information to the visiting doctor.

With a mild degree of heatstroke, the child will remain at home for treatment.

Moderate and severe conditions require hospitalization.

The first medical aid, of course, will be provided on the spot. If necessary, the child will be given a heart massage, artificial respiration, and drugs to normalize cardiac activity. But the rest will be done by the doctors of the children's hospital.

Usually, intensive rehydration therapy is performed on the first day. A large amount of saline is injected intravenously with minerals necessary for the normal functioning of the heart and nervous system. When the risk of dehydration recedes, the child is examined by all specialists, first of all - a cardiologist, neurologist, pediatrician. If pathologies caused by hyperthermia are detected, appropriate treatment will be prescribed.


The high temperature after heatstroke usually lasts for several days. All this time, the child is recommended to take antipyretic drugs based on paracetamol.

A mild degree of heatstroke should be treated at home, taking into account the same requirements. Reduce the temperature, if it rises to high values, give the child water solutions for oral rehydration - "Smekta", "Regidron".

When the first signs of dehydration appear, one should not hesitate with hospitalization, since it is not for the faint of heart to get the child out of this state at home. Attempts to do this on your own can end very badly.

At home, the baby can be wrapped in a damp, cool diaper several times a day; for an older baby, you can provide a cool bath or shower. It is a big mistake for parents to turn on fans or air conditioners while wet wrapping. Very often, this "treatment" ends with the development of pneumonia.

During home treatment, it is important to give the child as much liquid as possible, all food should be light, quickly absorbed. You need to feed the child only when it asks about it. It is better to give preference to vegetable soups with lean broth, jelly, fruit drinks, cereals without butter, fruit and vegetable salads.

The diet should be followed until all symptoms disappear completely and the gastrointestinal tract normalizes.

Prevention

The prudence of the parents and their compliance with simple safety rules will help protect the child from heatstroke:

  • If you plan to relax on the beach, long walks in the hot season, you should make sure that the child has clothes made from natural fabrics, in which the baby's skin can freely "breathe" and evaporate sweat. It is best to opt for light colored clothing as it reflects sunlight and reduces the chance of overheating.
  • When on the beach, for a walk, in the bath, the child's head should always be covered with a light-colored Panama hat or a special bath cap.
  • Do not walk or sunbathe for a long time after 11 am and until 4 pm. Before and after this time, you can sunbathe and walk, but with restrictions. A child (especially a newborn or nursing baby) should not be exposed to the sun, even during "safe" hours.
  • If the child is small, then it is better to refuse active beach activities (trampoline, riding a "banana", beach ball game).
  • Parents who do not see anything wrong with a joint vacation with their baby on the beach should remember that the baby should never spend his lunchtime there, even if he is lying under an umbrella in the shade. This increases the likelihood of heatstroke tenfold.
  • In the hot season, as well as when visiting a bath or sauna, be sure to give your child plenty of fluids. Carbonated drinks are not suitable for this purpose. It is better to use cooked and pre-chilled compote, fruit drink, ordinary drinking water.


  • Never leave your child in a closed car in a parking lot near a store or other institution during the hot season. At a temperature of about 25 degrees Celsius, the car interior overheats in 15 minutes. At the same time, the temperature inside the passenger compartment is significantly higher than the outside thermometer. Very often such stories end with the death of babies.
  • You should not feed the baby tightly and abundantly in the heat. Moreover, fatty foods should be avoided. It is better to give light fruits and vegetables, thin soups during the day.

It is better to postpone a solid meal until the evening, when it becomes cool. You should not take your child out for a walk immediately after eating. If it's hot outside, then you can go for a walk only an hour and a half after lunch or breakfast.

Doctor Komarovsky will tell you how to protect a child from heatstroke in the next video.

Vacation season is ahead. We all missed the sun and warmth during the winter. But the sun and heat are not as harmless as they seem at first glance. Even in our latitudes, no one is safe from sun and heatstroke. Especially when it comes to children.

Today we will talk about a topic that is very relevant for all parents in the summer: heat and sunstroke. Moreover, the relevance remains regardless of where you will rest with your children - at sea or in the country.

Let us examine the causes and symptoms of heat and sunstroke, first aid, and, of course, the prevention of such conditions.

The consequences of overheating are often underestimated by parents. Heatstroke in a child is a serious problem. The insidiousness of this condition lies in the fact that the first symptoms of the disease can be perceived as the onset of a cold or simple malaise and fatigue.

Late diagnosis always leads to a neglected condition and, therefore, to serious consequences that require serious treatment. That is why every parent needs to know everything about overheating of the body and about measures to prevent it.

What is heat and sunstroke?

Heatstroke is a pathological condition in which all thermoregulation processes in the body are disrupted due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures. That is, a large amount of heat comes from outside. In addition, heat is generated in the body itself (the mechanism of heat production works), and there is no heat transfer.

Heatstroke can develop outdoors in hot weather, in a hotly heated room. This can also happen in conditions of not very high ambient temperatures, if the child is very warmly wrapped.

Sunstroke is a separate form of heatstroke. This condition is characterized by impaired health due to exposure to direct sunlight directly on the head of the child.

Young children are especially susceptible to this condition. In babies, thermoregulation processes are still imperfect due to age. They often develop heatstroke even at low ambient temperatures. Also in young children there is a rapid progression of the disease.

In infants, it is difficult to diagnose overheating by the fact that children cannot complain, tell what worries them. And the symptoms of a child's overheating are nonspecific. Lethargy, capricious behavior, tearfulness can be for various reasons. It is not always possible to immediately associate these symptoms with overheating. Therefore, it is very important to protect babies from the sun and heat, and indeed from any overheating.

Overheating reasons

Although sunstroke is considered a special form of heatstroke, they are not the same. If only because they have different causes.

In other words, if a child is in the shade in hot weather, with a hat, then he will not have sunstroke, but he is not insured against the development of heatstroke.

The cause of heatstroke is the general overheating of the whole organism with prolonged exposure to high temperatures. Due to overheating in the work of the thermoregulation center in the diencephalon, a breakdown occurs. The body actively produces heat, but cannot give it away.

Heat transfer normally occurs mainly with the production of sweat. Sweat evaporates from the surface of the skin and cools the human body.

Additional options for heat transfer are the expenditure of energy (heat) for warming the inhaled air and expansion of blood capillaries near the skin surface (a person turns red).

During the heat, little heat is spent on warming the inhaled air. And the other two thermoregulatory mechanisms work. If we, of course, do not interfere with them ...

What to do to avoid getting in the way? It's that simple! First, parents should pay special attention so that the child has something to sweat, and his clothes allow the sweat to evaporate.

There is one more nuance here. Liquid (in this case, sweat) evaporates if the surrounding air is drier than the layer of air directly near the body, under clothing. In high humidity, sweat flows in a stream, but does not evaporate. Simple laws of physics work. Consequently, there is no cooling of the skin.

Plus, to avoid overheating, clothing should be loose so that heat can be freely removed from the skin from the dilated blood capillaries.

Let's summarize a little what has been said and add something, systematically answering the question: "What leads to a violation of heat transfer?"

So, the following factors hinder the heat transfer and cooling of the body:

  • heat (air temperature above 30 ° C). At temperatures above 36 ° C, heat is not removed from the skin surface at all, and sweat does not evaporate;
  • high air humidity;
  • improperly dressed (dressed too warmly or dressed in synthetic clothing, in which the skin cannot breathe, and the sweat does not evaporate or absorb);
  • prolonged exposure to the sun (no shade);
  • intense physical activity in the heat;
  • lack of fluid intake (the child drinks little);
  • excess subcutaneous fat in overweight children interferes with the release of heat.
  • fair-skinned, fair-haired children do not tolerate heat worse;
  • taking antiallergic (antihistamines) drugs slows down heat transfer;
  • a violation of the heat transfer process can occur due to the pathology of the central nervous system or due to the physiological immaturity of the thermoregulation system in infants.

Heatstroke can also develop in babies who are in a closed car in the heat or during a traffic jam, when the car is practically motionless. When the outside temperature is around 32-33 ° C, the temperature inside the car can rise to 50 ° C within 15-20 minutes.

Now let's talk about sunstroke. It is the result of exposure to the direct rays of the sun on the head of a person. That is, the cause of sunstroke can be expressed in a simple speech phrase: "The head is baked."

The timing of the onset of signs of sunstroke varies. It happens that something amiss is felt immediately, while in the sun. But often the symptoms of sunstroke develop delayed, 6-9 hours after returning from a walk in direct sunlight.

The main signs of heatstroke

In the heatstroke clinic, three degrees of severity can be distinguished.

With a mild degree, headache, dizziness, nausea, increased heart rate, shortness of breath, and dilated pupils appear. At the same time, the skin is moist.

Even with a mild form of heatstroke, a doctor must be consulted. Hospitalization is usually not needed if assistance was provided to the child on time.

A moderate severity of heatstroke is characterized by an increasing headache combined with nausea and vomiting. The skin is red. Temperatures rise up to 40 ° C. The heartbeat and respiratory rate increase.

The child has a pronounced weakness (unwillingness to move). There is a confused consciousness, a state of stunnedness, the baby's movements are uncertain. Light-headedness or short-term loss of consciousness may occur.

Loss of consciousness, a coma-like state, and the appearance of seizures indicate a severe form. Psychomotor agitation, hallucinations, and confusion of speech may also develop.

On examination, the skin is dry and hot. The temperature reaches 42 ° C, the pulse is weak and frequent (up to 120-130 beats per minute). Breathing is frequent, shallow, intermittent. Short-term respiratory arrest is possible. Heart sounds are muffled.

The main symptoms of sunstroke

Weakness, lethargy, headache, accompanied by nausea and vomiting are pronounced.

Vomiting or diarrhea is often one of the first signs of a stroke. Older children complain of tinnitus, flashing of flies. The baby's body temperature rises.

The skin is red, especially on the face and head. The pulse is frequent, weak filling, breathing is rapid. There is increased sweating. Epistaxis often occurs.

Symptoms of severe injury are similar to those of heatstroke (loss of consciousness, disorientation, rapid, then slow breathing, muscle twitching).

Physicians distinguish another concept in violation of heat exchange - heat exhaustion. This condition may precede the development of a more serious pathological condition - heatstroke. Thus, we can say that heat exhaustion is a heat pre-shock.

With an untimely diagnosis or inadequate treatment of heat exhaustion, the process can progress and lead to disastrous consequences, sometimes even fatal.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke in the comparison table:

Face colour Pale Red with a bright blush
Leather Wet, sticky Dry, hot to the touch
Thirst Pronounced May already be absent
Sweating Reinforced Reduced
Consciousness Fainting possible Confused, possible loss of consciousness, disorientation
Headache Is characteristic Is characteristic
Body temperature Normal or slightly elevated High, sometimes 40 ° C and above
Breath Normal Accelerated, superficial
Palpitations Rapid, weak pulse Rapid, pulse can hardly be traced
Convulsions Rarely Present

First aid for overheating

  1. Move your baby to a shade or cool, ventilated place. Try to keep the area around the victim open. It is necessary to exclude the mass gathering of people (onlookers). Call an ambulance.
  2. Place the child in a horizontal position.
  3. In case of impaired consciousness, the legs should be in an elevated position. Place clothes or a towel under your ankles. This will increase blood flow to the brain.
  4. In case of nausea or vomiting that has already begun, turn your head to one side so that the child does not choke on vomit.
  5. Take off your baby's outerwear. Free your neck and chest. It is better to remove tight or synthetic clothes altogether.
  6. The child must be thoroughly drunk with water. Give water in small portions, but often. The water should not be very cold, as this can provoke stomach cramps and vomiting. It is better to drink with mineral water or special saline solutions (Rehydron, Normohydron). The child loses salt with sweat. Due to their rapid mass loss, the concentration of electrolytes in the body decreases. This can lead to seizures. Saline solutions quickly restore the water-electrolyte composition
  7. Soak any cloth in cool water and apply it to your forehead, neck, or back of your head. Wipe your baby's body with a wet cloth. You can gradually pour more and more water over your body with a temperature of about 20 ° C. It is impossible to sharply bring a heated baby into the water (sea, body of water).
  8. Then apply a cold compress (bag or bottle of cold water) to your forehead or back of your head. A very young child can be wrapped in a wet diaper or sheet.
  9. Provide fresh air. Fan it in a fan-like motion.
  10. If the child's consciousness becomes clouded, carefully let him smell a cotton ball soaked in 10% ammonia (available in any car medicine cabinet).
  11. In an emergency, when the baby stops breathing, when the medical team has not yet arrived, you need to save the child yourself. We'll have to remember what was taught in the lessons of medical or military training. You need to tilt the child's head back slightly so that the chin goes forward. One hand should be placed on the chin and the other should be used to cover the baby's nose. Take a breath. Release air for 1-1.5 seconds into the baby's mouth, clasping the baby's lips tightly. Make sure the baby's ribcage rises. So you will understand that the air went into the lungs. After suffering a heat illness, it is simply necessary to adhere to bed rest for several days. These recommendations should not be violated. After all, this time is necessary for a small organism to restore the normal functioning of the nervous, cardiovascular systems, to normalize some metabolic processes.

10 main rules for the prevention of heat disorders

Parents should always remember about preventive measures for such conditions. Children are at risk. They can encounter heat or sunstroke even with short exposure to the sun or in a stuffy, hot room.

Prevention of heat disorders in children is best done in advance.

  1. When walking in sunny weather, dress your child in light-colored clothes made from natural fabrics. White reflects the sun's rays. Loose natural fabrics allow the body to breathe and sweat to evaporate.
  2. Always protect the baby's head with a light-colored panama hat or a brimmed hat. For an older child, protect your eyes with tinted glasses.
  3. Avoid resting during the most sunny hours. This is from 12:00 to 16:00, and in the southern regions - even from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
  4. The child should not be in direct sunlight, that is, in open areas. It should be in the shade (under an umbrella, the sandbox should be with a roof).
  5. Plan your vacation so that the child does not have intense physical activity in the heat (jumping on a trampoline, air slides, excursions).
  6. Alternate sunbathing (up to 20 minutes) with bathing. It is better to sunbathe while on the move, and only in the morning and evening. Under no circumstances should a child spend their lunchtime sleep on the beach.
  7. Children are absolutely not allowed to sunbathe, so do not insist that the child lie with you on the beach (sunbathe). Do not be indignant that he cannot lie quietly or sit for more than three seconds))
  8. Children should drink a lot! Under normal conditions, a child should drink 1-1.5 liters of liquid. When the air temperature rises above 30 degrees, this volume can be up to 3 liters of water. Maintaining water balance is one of the important measures to prevent heat illness. Even breastfed babies need extra water. It will be more convenient for Mom to give it not through a spoon, but from a syringe without a needle. In this case, you need to direct the stream of water along the wall of the cheek. So he won't spit it out. Otherwise, he will definitely do it. He will quickly realize that this is not mother's milk at all, but something much less tasty ... Although I must say that some children drink water very willingly.
  9. Periodically wipe your face and baby's arms with a wet diaper. Wash your baby often. This will help him cool down and wash away the annoying sweat that causes prickly heat in children instantly.
  10. Proper nutrition in hot weather is also worth paying attention to. In hot weather, do not eat tightly. Children, as a rule, do not want to eat in the hours of the sun. Give the child the opportunity to snack on juicy fruits and vegetables, light milk products. Transfer a full meal to the evening. In hot weather, do not rush to go outside immediately after eating. At best, this can only be done in an hour.
  11. At the slightest suspicion of feeling unwell or unwell, immediately stop walking or relaxing on the beach. Get medical attention.

These simple rules will help you and your children enjoy sunny weather without worrying about your health. May the sun be your joy!

In hot weather, poor ventilation and high humidity, there is a high risk of heat stroke. Due to the high air temperature, the human body quickly overheats, the metabolism becomes much faster, and the vessels swell, while the capillary permeability increases significantly. Therefore, with heatstroke, a person's well-being deteriorates sharply and a number of alarming symptoms appear. This is where the questions acquire special relevance: how long does heatstroke last, and also how can this state be overcome?

Under what conditions there is a risk of getting heatstroke

Heatstroke can overtake not only those who spend time under the hot sun, but also drivers in their cars, shop workers, athletes and other people of various occupations. Even workers of saunas and baths or an office worker in which the air conditioner is broken are at risk.

For heatstroke, 3 components are enough:

  1. Heat.
  2. High humidity.
  3. Excessive heat production.

Muscle activity can also lead to heatstroke.

At first glance, heatstroke does not seem so serious and dangerous to human health and life, but without timely assistance, it can lead to vascular collapse, coma, and even death. A person in a state of heatstroke needs outside help and prompt restoration of the water-salt balance. And, if you suspect that a loved one or even a stranger has symptoms of heatstroke, then hurry up to offer him help.

Danger of heat stroke in children

Heatstrokes are especially common in children, since, given their anatomical features, increased heat production is often pathological in nature.

This is due to the following features:

  • the bodies of children are much smaller;
  • heat transfer and heat production are not stable;
  • the core of thermogenesis is easily irritated;
  • compensatory mechanisms are unstable.

Heatstroke manifests itself much more strongly than in an adult and can cause:

  • the strongest expansion of the capillaries;
  • blood clots and arterial-venous shunts;
  • the occurrence of metabolic pathology;
  • intoxication of the body;
  • hypoxia and other disorders.

All this is detrimental to a young body and can lead to the development of kidney, liver and heart disease.

Heatstroke symptoms and first aid

You can determine heatstroke by the following symptoms:

  • dry mouth and thirst;
  • weakness and body aches;
  • severe headache;
  • shortness of breath and stuffiness;
  • painful sensation behind the breastbone;
  • constant aching pain in the lower limbs and back.

Also, with heatstroke, respiration and the frequency of myocardial contractions are accelerated. Hypothermia causes the skin to turn pink with signs of irritation. After a while, blood pressure begins to decrease significantly and urination is impaired. Sometimes in children with heatstroke, the body temperature reaches 41 degrees, which is very bad for health and is fraught with serious complications.

Symptoms that require urgent hospitalization:

  • the face looks swollen;
  • the skin has a cyanotic appearance;
  • breathing is difficult and intermittent;
  • pupils are markedly dilated;
  • anxious muscle cramps appeared;
  • fever;
  • diarrhea and gastroenteritis;
  • urination stops.

How long heatstroke lasts depends on many factors, but, first of all, on its degree. So, a mild degree of heatstroke is accompanied by redness of the skin and a temperature of up to 39, or even 41 degrees. This state can last for 2-4 days spent on vacation. If brain neurons have been damaged as a result of heatstroke, then even prolonged treatment with the use of modern drugs will not help to fully restore health.

There is a group of people who are especially at risk of getting heatstroke. It includes those who have an innate sensitivity to high temperature, as well as people who are overweight, endure excessive stress and are in a state of psycho-emotional overstrain, have cardiovascular and endocrine diseases, neurological diseases, are intoxicated, smoke, are dressed in tight clothing, etc.

Most often, heatstroke manifests itself in the form of intense thirst (a person cannot get drunk in any way), weakness, muscle pain and a gradual acceleration of the pulse. If the disease flows into a more severe form, then convulsions appear, involuntary defecation and urination occur. The condition may worsen and the patient will start vomiting and bleeding. Although children risk the sun more than adults, they are able to heal on their own without the need for hospitalization due to their reactivity. Adults, on the other hand, endure even a small heat stroke much more difficult and, even with a moderate degree, require immediate compulsory hospitalization.

If the first signs of a blow are found, you need to provide assistance to the victim and carry out the following procedures:

  • drink as much water as possible to stop dehydration;
  • loosen the collar and belt;
  • cool the skin;
  • take off synthetic clothing;

In most cases, simply bringing the person into a cool room or shade, giving water and dampening their skin with cool water is enough to feel relief. If symptoms indicate moderate to severe heatstroke, you should do the same, but also lay the victim, raise his legs and call an ambulance.

Heatstroke medical care

For moderate to severe heatstroke, qualified medical attention is required.

Typically, the following drugs are used for treatment:

  1. Antipyretics (paracetamol and ibuprofen);
  2. Vasoconstrictors (Cavinton, Vinpocetine, Trental);
  3. Pain relievers (analgin and infulgan).

Antipyretic drugs are used only if the temperature has exceeded 39 degrees. Basically, small doses of paracetamol are used; antipyretics in the form of suppositories are prescribed for children. In very severe cases, infulgan is used intravenously. Antipyretics can shorten the duration of the disease and normalize blood supply. If the patient is not recovering, in rare cases, hydrocortisone and prednisolone are used. These drugs must be administered very carefully, gradually increasing the dose and decreasing them when it is canceled. Also, patients are given cleansing enemas and a daily cool shower is recommended to relieve overheating.

How to treat heatstroke at home

Treating heatstroke symptoms at home can be done using a number of methods:

  • Apply cool compresses to the head to relieve headaches and reduce fever
  • apply cold compresses to the great vessels and liver to reduce temperature and prevent complications;
  • flush the stomach;
  • do warm enemas;
  • wrap in a cool sheet or diaper.

Wrapping in a cool cloth is one of the simplest and oldest ways to deal with heatstroke. In particular, babies are often wrapped in diapers, as this can quickly lower their body temperature, soothe and reduce the discomfort caused by heatstroke. You can also take a cool shower, staying underwater for as long as possible. For a mild blow, a cool wrap and compresses are usually enough to feel relief. Several procedures and rest will allow you to quickly forget about heatstroke and return to a normal rhythm of life.

If all these actions do not bring results and there is no noticeable improvement in the condition, then medications are needed.

To avoid complications, it is worthwhile to use, in addition to physical methods, special drugs and mixtures. So, the safest way is to prepare a lytic mixture (aminazine, dibazol and pipolfen are mixed in novocaine), which is quite effective against the effects of heatstroke.

For even greater results, you can use droperidol, and sodium oxybutyrate and seduxen will help with muscle cramps. You should not use antipyretics when the temperature has dropped to 37.5 and carry out active medication if there is no good reason for this. Special care must be taken when handling children. Do not rush to apply therapeutic procedures and "bring down" the temperature. With heatstroke, it is important to prevent complications, and temperature is only one of the symptoms and not to be the object of treatment.

When does heatstroke start and how long

It is difficult to determine the duration of heatstroke, since its first symptoms can always be noticed at the very beginning. Often times, dry mouth, thirst, weakness, and headache already indicate that you have received heatstroke. However, these symptoms may not be paid attention to, and only when arrhythmia appears, the temperature rises and other symptoms manifest themselves, it becomes clear that it is heatstroke. Further, he can go into a severe stage, and even cause damage to the nervous system.

Heatstroke and the fever that accompanies it have stages of development and decline:

  1. Prodromal (often proceeds almost imperceptibly);
  2. Rise (it can be critical or lyrical);
  3. Stability;
  4. Reverse lysis.

At the beginning, the heatstroke seems to be warming up. The nervous system is in an extremely increased tone, but there are no peripheral arteries, at the same time the blood flow is "centralized". Due to problems with peripheral microcirculation, the so-called "goose bumps" appear, accompanied by chills, tremors and an acute sensation of cold. Not missing this moment and starting to act already at this stage, you can prevent unpleasant consequences and quickly overcome heatstroke. Symptoms at this stage appear differently for different people and with varying degrees of severity. Someone clearly feels the changes, while others begin to understand that they received heatstroke only at the stage of the rise in fever.

The development of the disease is critical when the temperature rises to high levels very quickly (on average, 40-45 minutes), but also quickly decreases if measures are taken and treatment is carried out. The lyrical course of the disease is much more dangerous and longer. It is largely prolonged and may not be accompanied by a constantly high temperature, but it is accompanied by lethargy, drowsiness, a drop in pressure and an accelerated heart rate. It is important to rest throughout this period and not try to move the disease on your feet, because serious complications are possible.

With rest and proper treatment, you can quickly move into the phase of stability, when deterioration is no longer observed, and go to the stage of reverse lysis. At this stage, you will feel a noticeable drop in temperature and an improvement in your well-being.

How to avoid heatstroke

As already mentioned, there are people who are prone to heat stroke, but they can also avoid danger if they are careful. It is important to avoid dehydration, small stuffy rooms, not to be in the sun for a long time and not to wear heavy dense fabrics in hot weather. If you feel unwell, try to go where there is shade and coolness, drink water, moisten your face and head with cold water.

Children must be carefully supervised, always wear a hat, drink water and do not let them play in the sun for a long time. Even if you or your child are at risk, it is only care and caution that determines whether there is a real chance of getting heatstroke. It is very simple to avoid treatment and serious consequences, you just need to adhere to simple rules. If you did not manage to protect yourself, then you should take all possible measures so that the heatstroke lasts as little as possible and does not give you serious reasons for concern.

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