Heatstroke is a sudden, uncontrolled rise in body temperature. Heatstroke occurs when the body is exposed to excessive heat but cannot replace the body fluids lost through perspiration. If the lost fluids are not replaced, dehydration (depletion of total body fluids) occurs and leads to a decrease in blood volume.
At this point the body has to decide whether to supply the diminished amount of blood to the internal organs or to the skin; since the internal organs take priority, they will receive the blood. At the same time, the body loses its ability to sweat. The situation now becomes critical for two reasons: the body cannot now produce enough sweat, so the evaporation of sweat on the skin cannot cool the body; and the skin is now being deprived of the blood supply that insures that excess heat can be released through the skin. The lack of blood supply to the skin and the inability to sweat together cause the body to overheat.
If it is not treated quickly and correctly, heatstroke can cause permanent brain damage or death. When there is loss of blood volume, which can mean there is not enough blood to circulate through the body, the victim goes into shock. Also, at high temperatures the blood cannot clot properly, and this can result in blood leaking from the vessels into body organs.
Heatstroke most often strikes athletes or other people who do strenuous work in hot weather. People who have had heatstroke once are more likely to suffer another attack if they return to strenuous exercise within a week. Lack of water, excessive sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea all increase the body’s susceptibility to heatstroke.
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