Summer Heatstroke Prevention Guide: 5-Character First Aid for Elderly Heatstroke
During the scorching summer, with high temperatures, it is easy for people to suffer from heatstroke, especially the elderly. Due to their poor thermoregulatory function, the skin temperature of the elderly is greatly affected by the ambient temperature. Coupled with weak sweating ability, a large amount of body heat cannot be dissipated, making them more prone to heatstroke. So, how to prevent heatstroke on a hot summer day? And what should be done if an elderly person suffers from heatstroke?
High Temperatures Arrive: Be Wary of Heatstroke
With the arrival of high temperatures, preventing heatstroke and cooling down become a must for everyone. Experts remind that outdoor workers and the elderly should pay special attention. Common medications like Ren Dan, Huoxiang Zhengqi Shui, Shi Dui Shui, and Qing Liang You should be carried with you.
Experts also suggest that before going out in the morning, you can drink congee made with mung beans, reed rhizome, and licorice. Cold-dressed purslane and Houttuynia cordata are also good light dishes for beating the heat. Adequate sleep allows the brain and various body systems to relax and is also a measure to prevent heatstroke.
The Elderly Need to Be Extra Cautious Against Heatstroke
In the scorching summer, with high temperatures, the elderly are susceptible to heatstroke due to their poor thermoregulatory function, skin temperature being greatly affected by the ambient temperature, and weak sweating ability, which prevents body heat from dissipating. This is especially true for frail and sick elderly individuals, such as those with cardiovascular diseases. The heat can excite the sympathetic nervous system, increasing the load on the cardiovascular system. For patients with insufficient heart function, body heat cannot be transferred to the skin in time to dissipate, leading to heatstroke as it accumulates inside the body.
Nowadays, with better conditions, many elderly people have air conditioners at home. While air conditioners are meant to prevent heatstroke, medical researchers have found that with their widespread use, a new group of people prone to heatstroke has emerged.
These individuals are extremely intolerant to heat. When the outside temperature is 33°C and people don't feel particularly hot, they may still suffer from heatstroke. The reason is that in high-temperature environments, the human body produces a stress protein that protects it from harm. However, people who have long enjoyed air conditioning lack this stimulus, causing such proteins to decrease significantly and their heat tolerance to drop greatly. Once they go out or experience a power outage during hot weather, they can suffer from heatstroke even at temperatures that are not very high, due to the lack of protection from this stress protein. Therefore, do not overindulge in air conditioning; go out often to maintain the body's natural heat adaptation ability.
When an elderly person suffers from heatstroke, they may initially feel overall fatigue, weakness in limbs, chest tightness, palpitations, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, thirst, profuse sweating, and a normal or slightly elevated body temperature. At this stage, if they can rest in a ventilated, cool place, they can recover in a short time. This is medically known as "prodromal heatstroke." If symptoms progress, facial flushing, worsened chest tightness, hot skin, profuse sweating, nausea, vomiting, decreased blood pressure, and a rapid pulse may occur. However, after rest, they can still recover within 4 hours, which is called "mild heatstroke." If, in addition to the above symptoms, there is also fainting, coma, or high fever, it is called "severe heatstroke." At this point, if not treated promptly, it can be life-threatening.
Preventing heatstroke involves three main points: first, pay attention to high-temperature forecasts and arrange your schedule accordingly. On hot days, especially from 11 AM to 2 PM, try to reduce going out, take an appropriate nap, eat a light diet, drink more light salt water or mung bean soup, and bathe or wipe your body frequently; second, taking Qi-tonifying herbs can prevent heatstroke, such as raw sun-dried ginseng, American ginseng, and Astragalus root. Astragalus has the effects of reducing sweat, securing the exterior, and tonifying Qi. When summer arrives, the elderly can choose the above Qi-tonifying herbs and decoct them in water for consumption; third, when going out, be sure to bring sun protection tools like umbrellas and sunglasses. Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun and rest in the shade. Frail and elderly individuals should always be accompanied by family members when going out.
Heatstroke Manifestations and First Aid
Heatstroke is a syndrome caused by the disruption of the body's thermoregulatory function due to high temperatures or high-fever diseases.
There are many causes of heatstroke. Working in a high-temperature workshop, especially with poor ventilation, can easily lead to heatstroke. In agricultural or outdoor work, direct exposure to sunlight, combined with the ground being heated by the sun, can further increase the ambient air temperature, causing congestion of the meninges and ischemia of the cerebral cortex, leading to heatstroke. Increased air humidity can also induce heatstroke. In public places or crowded families, heat generation is concentrated while dissipation is difficult. Coupled with an increased concentration of carbon dioxide from people's breathing, if the CO2 concentration in the air reaches 0.7% to 1%, it can paralyze the olfactory nerves, cause rapid breathing, and lower the body's resistance, leading to heatstroke.
Depending on the severity of symptoms, heatstroke can be classified as prodromal, mild, or severe. Prodromal heatstroke refers to mild dizziness, headache, tinnitus, blurred vision, thirst, general weakness, and unsteady gait after being in a high-temperature environment for a period. Mild heatstroke involves the above symptoms plus elevated body temperature, flushed face, chest tightness, dry hot skin, or a pale face, nausea, vomiting, profuse sweating, decreased blood pressure, and a weak pulse. Severe heatstroke involves the above symptoms, often with sudden fainting, convulsions after profuse sweating, restlessness, thirst, reduced urine output, muscle pain, and limb weakness.
First aid for heatstroke: First, quickly move the patient away from the high-heat environment to a cool, ventilated place. Loosen their clothing and have them lie down. Apply a cold towel to their head, fan them, and give them cool drinks. For mild cases, the patient can take Ren Dan or Shi Dui Shui, or acupuncture therapy can be used (at points such as Dazhui, Weizhong, Heguo, or Quchi, Baihui, Renzhong). For mild cases, cooling is necessary. Depending on the on-site conditions, use cold water, ice water, or medication for cooling. Replenish fluids and electrolytes. For patients who can drink, give them cool salt water or other refreshing salt solutions. For those who cannot drink, administer a saline drip or Ringer's solution intravenously (the amount can be adjusted based on the specific situation). Unless the patient has peripheral circulatory failure or is vomiting and profusely diarrhea, too much fluid should not be infused to avoid heart failure or pulmonary edema. For patients with respiratory and circulatory failure,酌情 use respiratory and cardiac stimulants. For those with breathing difficulties, provide oxygen and perform artificial respiration if necessary. For patients with convulsions, sedatives can be given. For critically ill patients or those who do not improve after appropriate treatment, they should be immediately sent to a well-equipped hospital while continuing rescue efforts.
Remember the Five-Character First Aid for Heatstroke
In the summer, due to high environmental temperatures and high air humidity, it is difficult for the body to dissipate excess heat. The heat accumulates, causing the body's thermoregulatory center to lose control and result in heatstroke. Remember the following five-character guide to provide timely aid when someone is found with heatstroke:
One, Move. Quickly move the patient to a cool, shaded, and ventilated place. At the same time, elevate their head and loosen their clothing to facilitate breathing and heat dissipation.
Two, Apply. Apply a cold towel to the patient's head, or place ice packs or ice cubes on their head, armpits, or groin area.
Three, Stimulate. Place the patient in water at 4°C and massage their limbs' skin to dilate blood vessels, accelerate blood circulation, and promote heat dissipation. Stop the cooling when their rectal temperature drops to 38°C.
Four, Immerse. Immerse the patient's body at a 45-degree angle in water at about 18°C, up to the level of the nipples. Elderly, frail, and cardiovascular patients may not tolerate water that is too cold.
Five, Wipe. Four people should simultaneously use towels to wipe the patient's body immersed in the water, rubbing the skin until it becomes red. Generally, after 15-30 minutes of wiping, the body temperature can be lowered to 37-38°C, and most patients with no severe brain damage will regain consciousness quickly.
Warm Reminder
How to Prevent Heatstroke During Outdoor Activities
Heatstroke is caused by prolonged exposure to high temperatures or direct sunlight, often occurring from standing, working, gathering, or marching in the hot sun for long periods. Mild heatstroke can cause dizziness, tinnitus, chest tightness, palpitations, limb weakness, thirst, and nausea. Severe heatstroke may be accompanied by high fever, coma, and convulsions.
How to prevent heatstroke during outdoor activities?
1. Drink water. After sweating profusely, replenish water in a timely manner. When engaging in outdoor activities, especially hiking, climbing, or going to places with a water shortage, be sure to bring enough water. If possible, also bring some thirst-quenching foods like fruits.
2. Cool down. Before going out, prepare for sun protection. It's best to bring a sun umbrella, a sun hat, and wear light-colored, breathable clothing. If you show signs of heatstroke during an outdoor activity, take immediate action: find a cool, ventilated place, loosen your collar, and lower your body temperature.
3. Prepare medicine. Carry some medications like Ren Dan, Shi Dui Shui, or Huoxiang Zhengqi Shui to alleviate symptoms of mild heatstroke. If heatstroke symptoms are severe, seek medical attention immediately.
Dietary Therapy for "Bitter Summer" and Heatstroke
During the hot summer, people are very susceptible to "bitter summer" and heatstroke. If you suffer from these conditions, you should see a doctor, but you can also use dietary therapy for self-care. Here are a few methods to try.
Cucumber Peel Decoction:
Cucumber peel contains diuretic substances, as well as vitamins A and C, which can help remove excess water and heat from the body. It is effective for preventing and alleviating the symptoms of bitter summer and heatstroke.
Take 30 grams of fresh cucumber peel, add 500ml of water, and simmer it down to half its volume. This is the daily dose, which should be taken in 2-3 portions on an empty stomach.