HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR SUN STROKE
Sun stroke or Heatstroke is a condition caused by your body
overheating, usually as a result of prolonged exposure to or physical exertion
in high temperatures. This most serious form of heat injury, heatstroke, can
occur if your body temperature rises to 104 F (40 C) or higher. The condition
is most common in the summer months.
Heatstroke requires emergency treatment. Untreated heatstroke
can quickly damage your brain, heart, kidneys and muscles. The damage worsens
the longer treatment is delayed, increasing your risk of serious complications
or death.
Causes-- Heatstroke can occur as a result of:
· Exposure to a hot
environment. In a type of heatstroke, called nonexertional (classic)
heatstroke, being in a hot environment leads to a rise in core body
temperature. This type of heatstroke typically occurs after exposure to hot,
humid weather, especially for prolonged periods. It occurs most often in older
adults and in people with chronic illness.
· Strenuous activity. Exertional
heatstroke is caused by an increase in core body temperature brought on by
intense physical activity in hot weather. Anyone exercising or working in hot
weather can get exertional heatstroke, but it's most likely to occur if you're
not used to high temperatures.
In either type of heatstroke, your condition can be brought on
by:
· Wearing excess
clothing that prevents sweat from evaporating easily and cooling
your body
· Drinking alcohol, which can
affect your body's ability to regulate your temperature
· Becoming dehydrated by not
drinking enough water to replenish fluids lost through sweating
Symptoms--
Heatstroke signs and symptoms include:
· High body
temperature. A core body temperature of 104 F (40 C) or higher,
obtained with a rectal thermometer, is the main sign of heatstroke.
· Altered mental state
or behavior. Confusion, agitation, slurred speech, irritability,
delirium, seizures and coma can all result from heatstroke.
· Alteration in
sweating. In heatstroke brought on by hot weather, your skin will
feel hot and dry to the touch. However, in heatstroke brought on by strenuous
exercise, your skin may feel dry or slightly moist.
· Nausea and
vomiting. Feel sick to your stomach or vomit.
· Flushed skin. Skin may turn
red as your body temperature increases.
· Rapid breathing. Breathing may
become rapid and shallow.
· Racing heart rate. Pulse may
significantly increase because heat stress places a tremendous burden on your
heart to help cool your body.
· Headache. Head may
throb.
Risk factors--- Anyone can develop heatstroke, but several factors
increase your risk:
· Age. Your ability
to cope with extreme heat depends on the strength of your central nervous
system. In the very young, the central nervous system is not fully developed,
and in adults over 65, the central nervous system begins to deteriorate, which
makes your body less able to cope with changes in body temperature. Both age
groups usually have difficulty remaining hydrated, which also increases risk.
· Exertion in hot
weather. Military training and participating in sports, such as
football or long-distance running events, in hot weather are among the
situations that can lead to heatstroke.
· Sudden exposure to
hot weather. You may be more susceptible to heat-related illness if
you're exposed to a sudden increase in temperature, such as during an
early-summer heat wave or travel to a hotter climate. Limit activity for at
least several days to allow yourself to acclimate to the change. However, you
may still have an increased risk of heatstroke until you've experienced several
weeks of higher temperatures.
· A lack of air
conditioning. Fans may make you feel better, but during sustained hot
weather, air conditioning is the most effective way to cool down and lower
humidity.
- Certain medications. Some medications
affect your body's ability to stay hydrated and respond to heat. Be
especially careful in hot weather if you take medications that narrow your
blood vessels (vasoconstrictors), regulate your blood pressure by blocking
adrenaline (beta blockers), rid your body of sodium and water (diuretics),
or reduce psychiatric symptoms (antidepressants or antipsychotics).
Stimulants for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
and illegal stimulants such as amphetamines and cocaine also make you more
vulnerable to heatstroke.
- Certain health conditions. Certain chronic
illnesses, such as heart or lung disease, might increase your risk of
heatstroke. So can being obese, being sedentary and having a history of
previous heatstroke.
Complications-- Heatstroke can result in a number of complications,
depending on how long the body temperature is high. Severe complications
include:
· Vital organ damage. Without a
quick response to lower body temperature, heatstroke can cause your brain or
other vital organs to swell, possibly resulting in permanent damage.
· Death. Without
prompt and adequate treatment, heatstroke can be fatal.
HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES
Homoeopathy today is a rapidly growing
system and is being practiced all over the world. It strength lies in its
evident effectiveness as it takes a holistic approach towards the sick
individual through promotion of inner balance at mental, emotional,
spiritual and physical levels. When heatstroke is concerned there
are many effective medicines available in Homoeopathy , but the selection
depends upon the individuality of the patient , considering mental and physical
symptoms.
GLONOINUM 30—Glonoinum is one
of the top remedies for sunstroke where the patient has severe agonizing
congestive headache with waves of terrible, pounding headache. Throbbing and
bursting headache. Headache is better from sleep. Face becomes hot and red.
Irritability and confusion of mind may be present.
VERATRUM ALB 30—Veratrum alb is
another top remedy for sunstroke. The patient may faint or collapsed due to hot
weather. The face is pale with profuse and clammy sweat. Extreme coldness ,
especially of hands and feet is also experienced. The skin is cold as death.
AMYL NITROSUM 30---Amyl nitrosum is
prescribed where surging of blood to head and face occurs with
fiery red face. Sensation as if blood would start through
skin with heat and redness. Violent beating of the heart and carotids. The
person has great anxiety , as if something bad might happen.
BELLADONNA 30---Belladonna is
another remedy for sunstroke with vascular headache. Throbbing , hammering
headache, especially on temples, worse motion, better letting hair down, laying
the hand on head, bending head backwards. Face is bright red, galssy eyed and
the pupils are dilated. The pulse is strong and fast. No thirst , but has a dry
mouth. The skin is bright red, hot and dry. Sometimes the person may faint due
to weakness.
OPIUM 200—Opium is effective
for sunstroke with coma and fatigue. It should be tried after Belladonna.
GELSEMIUM 1000—Gelsemium is
prescribed where patient feels dullness ,drowsiness and
confusion due to heatstroke. They may experience changes
in vision and sore muscles. There is headache in back of head. Vertigo. Band
feeling around head with heaviness of eyelids. Weakness and
trembling of the body. The person is not thirsty. It is also good
for as a preventive for the effects of heat of sun.
LAHESIS 200—Lachesis is best
for heat stroke with headache, especially on the left side, worse after waking
from sleep. The patient is dizzy and may faint. Hot water greatly
fatigues.
NATRUM MURIATICUM 200—Natrum mur is
prescribed for the chronic effects of sunstroke with headache, returning in hot
weather. The person experiences debility and headache by sun heat.
NATRUM
CARBONICUM 30---Natrum carb is another
remedy for chronic affection of heat stroke. There is extreme
weakness due to hot weather, worse from a least exertion.
Prevention-- Heatstroke is predictable and preventable. Take these
steps to prevent heatstroke during hot weather:
· Wear loosefitting,
lightweight clothing. Wearing excess clothing or clothing that fits tightly
won't allow your body to cool properly.
· Protect against
sunburn. Sunburn affects your body's ability to cool itself, so
protect yourself outdoors with a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses and use a
broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Apply sunscreen
generously, and reapply every two hours — or more often if you're swimming or
sweating.
· Drink plenty of
fluids. Staying hydrated will help your body sweat and maintain a
normal body temperature.
· Take extra
precautions with certain medications. Be on the lookout for heat-related
problems if you take medications that can affect your body's ability to stay
hydrated and dissipate heat.
· Never leave anyone
in a parked car. This is a common cause of heat-related deaths in children.
When parked in the sun, the temperature in your car can rise 20 degrees F (more
than 6.7 C) in 10 minutes.
It's not safe to leave a person in a parked car in warm or hot
weather, even if the windows are cracked or the car is in shade. When your car
is parked, keep it locked to prevent a child from getting inside.
· Take it easy during
the hottest parts of the day. If you can't avoid strenuous
activity in hot weather, drink fluids and rest frequently in a cool spot. Try
to schedule exercise or physical labor for cooler parts of the day, such as
early morning or evening.
· Get acclimated. Limit time
spent working or exercising in heat until you're conditioned to it. People who
are not used to hot weather are especially susceptible to heat-related illness.
It can take several weeks for your body to adjust to hot weather.
· Be cautious if
you're at increased risk. If you take medications or have a condition that
increases your risk of heat-related problems, avoid the heat and act quickly if
you notice symptoms of overheating. If you participate in a strenuous sporting
event or activity in hot weather, make sure there are medical services
available in case of a heat emergency
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