Healthcare and Sun Stroke

TheCypressTimes.com ^ | 09/09/2009 | Mark Roberts

[Patriot1259]

This article talks about Sunstroke and related issues. Summer time is hot, especially in the South and Southwest. And this time of the year can be unseasonably warm in many parts of the country, depending on climate conditions and other weather related issues even during the latter part of the season.

According to Physicians' Desktop Reference (PDRHealth.com), Heatstroke occurs when your body's thermostat cannot keep your body cool. Your body relies on water evaporation to stay cool. As your temperature rises, your body reacts by sweating. When this sweat evaporates, it cools your body. The amount of moisture in the air (humidity) determines how readily sweat evaporates. In very dry air, sweat evaporates easily, quickly cooling your body; but in very humid air, sweat does not evaporate. It may collect on the skin or run off your body without affecting your body's climbing temperature. Extremely warm and humid temperatures can quickly overwhelm your body's cooling system, according to PDRHealth.com—particularly when the air is not circulating. When sweating can no longer keep you cool, body temperature quickly rises, causing the symptoms of heat-related illness.

[Patriot1259]

Mark Roberts details the symptoms and damage that can be done by sun stroke

[wastedyears]

I’ve blacked out due to heat exhaustion, but I don’t think it was heat stroke. That’s what riding a bike wearing jeans and a heavy black T-shirt in August will do to you.

[taxcontrol]

Mine was a hot summer run (5 miles) in Germany. Made it till the very end and went face first into the cobble stone. My 1st Sgt said he knew I was NOT faking it because I did not try to catch myself and kept trying to run even as I was falling.

Woke up in the ER with stitches in my mouth, an IV in my arm and so damn cold I could not stop shivering or even talk. Medic said the shivering was a good sign - I didn’t think so.

I’ve been sensitive to heat ever sense then.

[SES1066]

In cycling this can be related to the dreaded 'bonk' when you either run out of energy or water needed to distribute energy in the body. It is insidious and deadly, you are going along and suddenly BAM, you hit the wall and literally cannot move another inch.

I was riding in the country and criminally had run myself out of water and kept on going on a hot sunny day. You only do that once because you NEVER want to feel like that again.

A wet cooked noodle had more strength than I did and I was lucky to avoid the hospital. The SAG wagon had water and Gatorade and the helper said I had a temp of 101 and dry skin. One degree more and it was 911 for an ambulance. The next year they dropped the requirement to 100 when another rider developed complications.