The bizarre heatstroke symptom you can hear when you speak – and 11 other signs to look out for during warm weather
HEATSTROKE is the most serious hot weather-related illness and needs to be treated as a medical emergency.
Some of the symptoms – like a high body temperature, excessive sweating and a headache – are pretty well known.
But there are several signs which are a little more unusual, including agitation, irritability and slurred speech.
The bizarre behaviours could mean someone needs to see a doctor as soon as possible.
Failure to do so can result in permanent disability or death, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns.
The most common heatstroke symptoms to look out for are:
- Very high body temperature (above 40C)
- Altered mental state
- Confusion
- Slurred speech
- Fatigue
- Loss of consciousness
- Hot, dry skin or profuse sweating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Seizures
- Rapid breathing
- Racing heart rate
- Headache
These usually come on following milder heat exhaustion, which doesn’t need emergency help if you can cool down within 30 minutes, according to the NHS.
However, if you think someone could be experiencing heatstroke, call 999.
Urgent action should then be taken to bring their temperature down. The NHS says you should:
- Move them to a cool place.
- Remove all unnecessary clothing like a jacket or socks.
- Get them to drink a sports or rehydration drink, or cool water.
- Cool their skin – spray or sponge them with cool water and fan them. Cold packs, wrapped in a cloth and put under the armpits or on the neck are good too.
- Stay with them until they are better.
There’s a high risk of heat exhaustion or heatstroke during hot weather – and temperatures are due to reach 30C this weekend.
It’s going to be so warm, officials have issued six yellow heat health alerts across much of England.
The Met Office and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warn health and social care services could be put under significant strain.
Those over 65 or with pre-existing health conditions, including breathing and heart problems, are most at risk.
Indoor environments could also become “very warm”.
The yellow alert covers London, the South East, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, Yorkshire and the Humber.
It comes into force at midday on July 7 and expires at 9am on July 9.
Thankfully, there are a few ways to reduce your risk of developing heat-related illnesses.
The NHS says you should drink more fluids, wear light-coloured, loose clothing, and avoid the sun between 11am and 3pm.
It is also advised to avoid excess alcohol, extreme exercise and stay in the shade where possible.
Children, older people and those with long-term health conditions (such as diabetes or heart problems) are more at risk of heat exhaustion or heatstroke.
Ways to keep safe in the hot weather
- Check on family, friends and neighbours who may be at higher risk of becoming unwell, and if you are at higher risk, ask them to do the same for you
- Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and what to do if you or someone else has them
- Keep out of the sun at the hottest time of the day, between 11am and 3pm
- If you are going to do a physical activity (for example exercise or walking the dog), plan to do these during times of the day when it is cooler such as the morning or evening
- Keep your home cool by closing windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun
- If you do go outside, cover up with suitable clothing such as an appropriate hat and sunglasses, seek shade and apply sunscreen regularly
- Drink plenty of fluids and limit your alcohol intake