sunstroke and it's management dr.s.gopakumar,atreya awardee
TRANSCRIPT
Dr.S.Gopakumar MD (Ay)
MD – Roganidana, MD - Kayachikitsa
Assistant Professor,
Dept. of Roganidana
Govt Ayurveda College, Thiruvananthapuram.
SUNSTROKE
Sunstroke is a life-threatening condition in which the body's heat-regulating system fails, due to exposure to high temperatures.
• Sun stroke is an acute, life-threatening condition in which the body's heat-regulating system fails, due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures, excessive production of heat or commonly a combination of the two.
• The body is unable to lose heat adequately in order to return to its normal temperature.
• Body temperature rises to very high levels, which can damage major organs.
Sunstroke can occur when the body's mechanisms to rid itself of excess heat are overwhelmed by a very hot or humid environment, or strenuous physical activity.
Who are at Risks…?
• Young children• Elderly people• Individuals not used to physical
activity • People suffering from certain
chronic medical conditions-DM• Those involved in certain
sporting activities.
Why Heatstroke…?
• Significant physical exertion on a very hot day can generate heat beyond a healthy body's ability to cool itself, because the heat and humidity of the environment reduces the efficiency of the body's normal cooling mechanisms.
• Other factors, such as drinking too little water, can exacerbate the condition
The General Picture…
• Symptoms of sunstroke include elevated body temperature
• Hot, dry skin
• Hyperventilation
• Mental confusion
• Eventual unconsciousness.
• Sunstroke can be preceded by heat exhaustion, when excess loss of fluids and salt in sweat results in marked weakness.
• Heat exhaustion may be accompanied by heat cramps: sudden painful muscle spasms in the arms or legs, and sometimes the abdomen.
Symptoms and signs of Sunstroke
• Hot, dry skin
• No sweating (usually) • Skin is first flushed, then pale or purple • Hyperventilation (rapid, shallow breathing)
• Rapid, bounding pulse (alternates between a higher intensity than normal, then disappears quickly)
• Signs of mental disorder may include incoherent speech, disorientation, confusion, aggressive speech or behavior, agitation and hallucinations.
• Lethargy or stupor (reactions
become extremely slow and sluggish)
• Convulsions • Loss of consciousness• Symptoms of heat
exhaustion may include: • Weakness and fatigue • Tense or aching muscles • Nausea and vomiting • Pale, clammy skin • Weak, rapid pulse
• Confusion • Normal body
temperature (usually) • Heat cramps • Heavy sweating • Dizziness or
lightheadedness • Fainting • Dark yellow or orange
urine • Headache • Diarrhea
Sunburn
• A sunburn is a burn to living tissue such as skin produced by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, commonly from the sun's rays.
• Usual mild symptoms in humans and animals include red or reddish skin that is hot to the touch, general fatigue, and mild dizziness.
• An excess of UV-radiation can be life-threatening in extreme cases. Exposure of the skin to lesser amounts of UV radiation will often produce a suntan.
Basic Approach
The primary treatment goal for sunstroke is to lower the elevated body temperature rapidly in a controlled fashion.
Emergency care of sunstroke• Remove the person's clothing and
immerse the body in a cold water bath. If this is not possible, cover the body with a wet sheet or towels, sponge down the body with cool water or rub the limbs with ice-cubes.
• If water supply is limited, cooling the head and neck becomes the priority.
• Place ice packs (if available) at the neck, armpits and groin.
• Fan the person with a newspaper, towel or electric fan to increase air flow and evaporation.
• After the bath, move the person to a cool place.
• Elevate the feet to direct blood back toward the head.
• Massage the extremities (arms and legs) to encourage the return of cool blood to the brain and the core of the body.
• If the person is conscious, encourage him or her to sip water or a soft drink.
• While cooling the body down, take the person's temperature rectally every 10 minutes and do not allow it to fall below 38.5°C.
• Only immerse the person in a cold bath until their temperature falls to 39.4°C. If you don't have a thermometer, continue with first aid until the body feels cool to the touch. Resume cooling if the body starts to heat up again.
• Sitting in a bathtub of cool water (immersion method) can remove a significant amount of heat in a relatively short period of time.
However, immersion in very cold water is counterproductive, as it causes vasoconstriction in the skin and thereby prevents heat from escaping the body core.
Heat cramps
Heat cramps are painful, involuntary muscle spasms that usually occur during heavy exercise in hot environments.
• Heat cramps are muscle spasms that result from loss of large amount of salt and water through exercise. Heat cramps are associated with cramping in the abdomen, arms and calves. This can be caused by inadequate consumption of fluids or electrolytes.
• Frequently, they don't occur until sometime later, especially at night or when relaxing. Heavy sweating causes heat cramps, especially when the water is replaced without also replacing salt or potassium.
What to Do…?
• Rest briefly and cool down • Drink clear juice or an
electrolyte-containing sports drink
• Practice gentle, range-of-motion stretching and gentle massage of the affected muscle group
• Don't resume strenuous activity for several hours or longer after heat cramps go away
• Although heat cramps can be quite painful, they usually don't result in permanent damage.
• In order to prevent them, one may drink electrolyte solutions such as Sports drinks during the day or eating more fruits like bananas.
Areas of focus
• Greeshmacharya
• Pithahara chikitsa
• Udakavahadushtichikitsa
• Dahadi jwara chikitsa
• AthiSwedachikitsa/Swedathiyoga chikitsa
• Dhoomopahathachikitsa
• Ojokara chikitsa
Ayurvedic ORS
• Paneeya Kalpanas
• Paneeyas mentioned in Athisara
• Paneeys mentioned in Thrishna chikitsa
Daha Prasamana Gana by Charaka-Laja,Chandana,Kasmarya etc
Thrishna nigraha gana by Charaka
Shadanga Paneeya
Ksheerivrikshatwak Kwadha
Seasonal Life Style Modifications
• Avoid exposure to sunlight
• More water intake
• Gardens and Parks
• Non Spicy food
• Mental fitness
• No Alcohol
• More fruits and juices…
Diet
• Mandha
• Laja tharppana
• Panaka/Paneeyas
• Ksheera based preparations
• Phalavargas – Dadima,Draksha,Mocha etc