What is overheating?

It is a bloody hot summer day and the sun is shining brightly. You suddenly feel lightheaded, get a headache and feel tired. Maybe you are thirsty, but don't realize that these could be the first signs of overheating. What starts out as something small can quickly become dangerous.

What is overheating?

Your body has a clever system for staying cool, but sometimes it doesn't work well enough. Overheating happens when your body retains too much heat and can't get rid of it fast enough. This can come from extreme heat, strenuous exercise or a stuffy room without fresh air. This is more likely to happen if you don't drink enough, stay in the heat for a long time or don't get enough rest. If your body gets too hot, your organs and brain can be damaged.

Sunburn

Heatstroke also known as heat stroke, occurs when your body loses too much fluid and overheats. Your body temperature can reach as high as 40 degrees. This often happens when you spend too long in the full sun without drinking enough. Your body can no longer sweat properly and therefore cannot cool down.

You can recognize heatstroke by symptoms such as headache, dizziness, nausea and sometimes fainting. In severe cases, you may also become confused or even unconscious.

If someone has sunstroke, it is important to find a cool place as soon as possible. Have the victim rest and stop exertion, remove unnecessary clothing and give (isotonic) sports drink or water that is not too cold. If this does not help start active cooling. Cool the head and neck with wet cloths, cold packs in armpit, groin and/or neck. Turn on a fan at the wet house and drink water. You can prevent sunstroke by wearing a cap or hat and staying out of the bright sun as much as possible, especially on hot days.

Symptoms of overheating

Overheating often starts with mild symptoms, but can quickly get worse. At first, you feel tired and dizzy, get headaches and notice that you go to the toilet less often. Your urine becomes darker and your body retains fluids. This is the time to take action: find a cool place and drink water.

If the overheating gets worse, you may experience nausea, fainting and a rapid heartbeat. Your skin feels clammy and you continue to sweat a lot. This is a sign that your body is struggling to get rid of the heat. Taking rest, cooling off and drinking water is then very important to prevent things from getting worse.

In heat stroke, the body temperature rises above 40 degrees and the skin actually feels dry and hot. During this phase, you may become confused, have difficulty speaking or even lose consciousness. This is a life-threatening situation that requires immediate medical attention.

What should you do in case of overheating?

If you notice that you or someone else is overheating, get to a cool place as soon as possible and remove unnecessary clothing. Drink small sips of water and try to cool the body, such as with wet cloths or a fan. If someone becomes drowsy or confused, call 911 immediately.

In heat stroke, acting quickly is vital. The body must cool down as quickly as possible, for example by putting someone in a lukewarm bath or sprinkling water over the body. Do not wait, because without quick help this can be very dangerous.

How do you prevent overheating?

It is better to prevent overheating than to have to treat it. On hot days, make sure you drink enough water, even if you are not thirsty. Wear airy clothes and seek shade regularly. Try to avoid strenuous exercise when it is very hot and pay extra attention to children, the elderly and people who are more likely to suffer from heat.

Inside, you can keep the house cool by closing curtains and using electrical appliances as little as possible. If it gets too hot inside, find a cooler place or use a fan.

In conclusion

Overheating is a serious problem and can become dangerous if you don't catch it in time. What starts with fatigue and dizziness can quickly get worse and even be life-threatening. By recognizing the signs and acting quickly, you can prevent many problems. Take good care of yourself and others, especially on hot days. Be prepared, because acting quickly can make all the difference.

Do you want to be well prepared for various medical emergencies and learn how to act in life-saving ways? Then take our first aid and adult life-saving course.