It can get very hot on the Costa del Sol in the summer and the health risk factors of too much sun and heat include Sun / Heat Stroke, Sunburn and Dehydration.
Heat stroke is a medical condition where a person’s body temperature becomes dangerously high and they are unable to cool down.
What Causes Sun / Heat stroke
Sunstroke is a form of heat stroke caused by being exposed to harsh sunlight. Sunstroke can occur if exposed to the sun and the heat for too long.
Children, adults over 75 and those with chronic illness are most at risk, although Sun & Heat Stroke can affect anyone. Not drinking enough non-alcoholic liquid and doing very strenuous physical exercise in the heat / sun can put you at risk.
Symptoms of Heat Stroke
Symptoms of heat stroke can develop quickly (within minutes) or over a number of hours / days. Symptoms include…..
- Headache
- Nausea
- Feeling Faint / Dizzy
- Stiff neck
- Temperature of above 40
- Muscle cramps
- Intense thirst
- Vomiting
- Heavy sweating
- Rapid heartbeat / fast pulse
- Infrequent urinating and having much darker urine than usual
If left untreated, severe symptoms can develop which include
- Confusion
- Disorientation
- Seizure / Fits
- Unconsciousness
Treatment for Heat Stroke
Self-treatment involves lowering you core temperature and rehydration (drink water, fruit juice or a sports rehydration drink).
Most people should start to recover in 30mins.
If in doubt or symptoms are severe, you should visit a Doctor or Hospital on the Costa del Sol.
Help avoid Sun Stroke by staying cool and in the shade, wearing a hat, avoiding extreme physical exertion, wearing light, loose fitting cotton clothes, staying out of the sun during peak sun hours* and drinking plenty of liquids.
* On the Costa del Sol the hottest part of the day during the summer is considered to be between 1/2pm – 5/6pm
