Thermal injuries are common during the Hajj season

Weather of Arabia - During movement and movement to perform rituals, pilgrims are exposed to very high temperatures for long periods, which leads to intense sweating and the loss of large amounts of water and salts in the body. In this article, we will learn about the 2 most prominent thermal injuries that pilgrims are exposed to, their symptoms, and their locations. Which are common, and ways to prevent them.

Thermal injuries are common during the Hajj season

• Sunstroke

Sunstroke or heatstroke occurs when the body temperature rises to 40 degrees Celsius or more, and the body is unable to cool itself and control its temperature.

Heat stroke usually results from exposure to high temperatures for long periods, whether while working, practicing physical activities, or even when sitting in places with high temperatures. Heat stroke is an emergency that requires immediate medical care and rapid first aid, as it may lead to serious health complications and organ damage. Vitality, and possibly death if not treated quickly.

How does sunstroke occur?

Heat stroke occurs when the body is unable to adapt to the heat caused by exertion in a hot or humid place. In high temperatures, the body cools itself by sweating, which evaporates to reduce the body temperature.

But if the temperature rises excessively, a malfunction occurs in the cooling mechanism, so the body loses the necessary fluids and salts. If the fluids are not adequately replaced, a disturbance in blood circulation occurs, leading to a state similar to shock with the appearance of symptoms of heatstroke.

The main causes of heatstroke include:

1. Exposure to hot climates: High temperatures can cause heatstroke in children, the elderly, and people with chronic diseases, even without any physical activity.
2. Doing physical activities in hot weather: Doing sports or any physical activity in hot weather increases the risk of heat stroke.

Symptoms of heatstroke include:

• Body temperature may reach 40 degrees Celsius or more.
• Mental changes: such as irritability, hallucinations, difficulty speaking, and loss of consciousness.
• Changes in sweating: The skin is hot and dry in heatstroke caused by hot weather, and may be clammy in heatstroke caused by physical activity.
• Nausea: The desire to vomit.
• Headache: This is a common symptom.
• Increased breathing rate and shortness of breath.
• Accelerated heartbeat: which puts pressure on the heart.
• Skin redness: The skin becomes red and very hot.
• Loss of consciousness: This is one of the most serious symptoms.

• Sunstroke prevention

To prevent sunstroke, the following procedures can be followed:

• Wear loose, light-colored clothing, and use a hat or umbrella.
• Drink sufficient amounts of fluids, especially water and sports drinks, to replace salts.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight, and schedule activities early in the morning or after sunset.
• Monitor the early symptoms of heatstroke and work to treat them quickly.
• Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or more.
• Use caution when taking medications that affect the body's ability to cool, such as some antibiotics, antihistamines, heart medications, diuretics, psychiatric medications, and illicit drugs such as cocaine.

Be careful not to leave children or the elderly in closed cars, even if the windows are open, as the temperature can rise quickly and lead to fatal heatstroke.

See also:

Is the vehicle temperature gauge inaccurate?

• Heat stress

Heat exhaustion is a condition in which the body's internal temperature rises as a result of exposure to high temperatures for a long period. The affected person suffers from headaches, fatigue, and other symptoms after engaging in physical activity or being in an area with a hot and humid climate for long periods.

Heat exhaustion is usually accompanied by dehydration, as the body maintains its internal temperature by increasing sweating, which leads to the loss of fluids and salts. This is indicated by the dark color of urine, as the body stops losing fluids in the urine to preserve the largest possible amount of it.

The body can initially deal with high temperatures by increasing the secretion of sweat, but this requires a large amount of fluids and some salts, as well as a suitable climate for the evaporation of sweat. Therefore, it is necessary to compensate for the lack of fluids and salts by drinking large amounts of fluids to prevent dehydration and the development of symptoms.

When the body is exposed to high heat for a long period, it is unable to maintain the internal body temperature, so it begins to rise and symptoms such as headache, lethargy, and muscle spasms appear.

When a person is exposed to high heat for long periods of time, he develops various types of heat disorders, such as heat cramps, heat stroke, and heat exhaustion. These disorders vary in their symptoms and severity, and require prompt treatment.

Symptoms of burnout

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

• High internal body temperature, which may reach 41 degrees Celsius.
• Feeling tired, lethargic and exhausted.
• Vomiting and nausea.
• Dizziness and loss of consciousness, especially when standing up quickly, due to low blood pressure.
• Excessive thirst.
• Increased heart rate.
• Pale skin tends to darken.
• Dark colored urine, evidence of dehydration.
• Muscle spasm.
• Profuse sweating, which may stop later, making the condition more serious.

Treatment of heat exhaustion

Treatment for heat exhaustion includes:

• Stop any physical activity immediately.
• Move to a cool, shady place.
• Cool the body with cold water.
• Remove clothing to allow air to circulate.
• Drink large amounts of fluids and salts.
• Avoid drinks containing caffeine.

If symptoms persist or worsen, you must go to a medical center to receive intravenous fluids and salts, and take fever-reducing and pain-relieving medications.

Preventing heat exhaustion

To prevent heat exhaustion, it is recommended to:

• Avoid physical activities in places with high heat and humidity for long periods.
• Drink fluids and salts regularly.
• Take intermittent breaks in cool places.
• Avoid direct exposure to sunlight between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
• Wear loose, light-colored clothing to reduce heat absorption and sweating.

The areas where thermal injuries are most common

1. Tawaf: especially at noon times.
2. Upper Arafat at noon.
3. Mina (places of slaughter and stones), due to the long distance and crowding when throwing stones.

See also:

Jordan | Ministry of Foreign Affairs: The number of deaths among Jordanian pilgrims has risen to 14 and those missing to 17

Jordan | 6 Jordanian pilgrims died on Mount Arafat

Sources:

altibbi

alwatan

moh.gov.sa