Heat Stroke Isn ’t Just a Short-Term Danger

With each summer of increased extreme heat, more people worldwide face the risks associated with heat exposure. Last year, Europe saw a record number of heat-related deaths, and even regions more used to dealing with hot weather, like South Asia, are seeing high temperatures start earlier and earlier in the season. Heat stroke—the most dangerous form of heat-related illness—is a growing threat and creates a public health quandary since there’s still no available treatment other than simply cooling victims down. What’s more, early research seems to suggest heat stroke could lead to further health consequences down the line. Here’s what we know about the condition now, and what experts hope research can tell us in the coming years. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] The body in heat stroke Heat stroke, which is unrelated to the cardiovascular event that shares the term “stroke,” occurs when the core body temperature rises to dangerous levels. It’s the most severe form of heat illness, a category that includes dehydration-related heat cramps, the fatiguing feeling of heat exhaustion, and even sunburn. Sometimes, a person will experience one or more of these more minor conditions prior to a heat stroke, but there isn’t always a warning. More from TIME [video id=vmTDIm51 autostart="viewable"] During a heat stroke, “the body can no longer regulate temperature,” says Zachary Schlader, an associate professo...
Source: TIME: Health - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized climate change healthscienceclimate Source Type: news