Will heat stroke cause numbness in hands and feet?

In the summer, the temperature is high and many people are sweating profusely. If they are still outdoors or working at this time, they are likely to suffer from heatstroke. As we all know, common symptoms of heatstroke usually include dizziness and fever, chest tightness and shortness of breath, dry mouth and nausea, tinnitus and so on. However, some people also experience numbness in their hands and feet. Is this also caused by heatstroke? Why does heatstroke also cause numbness in the hands and feet?

The symptoms of heat stroke can be divided into the following according to their severity:

1. Premonitions of heatstroke: Under high temperatures or sunlight, symptoms such as dizziness, tinnitus, chest tightness, sweating, thirst, and nausea may occur. At this time, the symptoms will improve quickly as long as the environment is improved and sufficient rest is given.

2. Mild heatstroke: When the body temperature is higher than 38.5℃, in addition to the symptoms of heatstroke, there may be early symptoms of respiratory and circulatory failure. If treated in time, the condition will improve quickly.

3. Severe heatstroke: In addition to the above symptoms, body temperature can be as high as 40°C, and there may be coma, convulsions, respiratory and circulatory failure, heat cramps may also occur, leading to hyponatremia, hypochloremia, hypocalcemia and vitamin deficiency.

Will heat stroke cause numbness in hands and feet?

People with heatstroke will experience numbness in their hands and feet. The type of heat stroke is heat cramps. This is due to the loss of a large amount of water and electrolytes, leading to low sodium, low chloride, and low potassium (causing numbness in the hands and feet). If you lose a lot of water, you will feel weak and tired all over.

Treatment for heat stroke

On-site first aid

First, move the patient to a cool and ventilated place and make him lie flat (do not raise his head), unbutton his collar, apply a wet cold towel to his head, and fan him quickly. For mild cases, they will generally get better gradually after the above treatment, and then take some Ren Dan or Shi Di Shui. For severe cases, in addition to the above cooling methods, you can also apply ice cubes or popsicles to the head, armpits, and groin, and repeatedly wipe the body with well water or cold water and fan it to cool down.

Those with severe conditions should be sent to hospital for treatment immediately.

General treatment

For general heatstroke patients, the environment should be improved, and they should be given salt-containing drinks, and should take Ren Dan, Shi Di Shui, and Huoxiang Zhengqi Pills orally. The following measures should be taken for patients with severe heat stroke:

1. Physical cooling: Place ice packs on the head, armpits, groin, etc., and wipe with 50% alcohol.

2. Drug cooling: 25 mg each of chlorpromazine and phenergan, add 500 ml of normal saline, and drip intravenously. It takes 1 to 2 hours to drip off and can be used again after 3 hours. If the effect is not good, 10 mg of dexamethasone can be added.

3. Replenish water and electrolytes: Daily water intake needs to reach 3000 ml.

4. When there is circulatory failure, digitalis should be added early.

5. When there is cerebral edema, use dehydrating agents in time. It is important to strengthen publicity and vigorously promote a prevention-oriented approach to avoid heat stroke.

How to prevent heat stroke

Pay attention to sun protection

In the hot summer, you should wear breathable and comfortable clothes. When going out, you should take good sun protection measures. Try to wear sun-protective clothing, use a parasol or sun hat, wear sunglasses, apply sunscreen, etc. to avoid heatstroke caused by high temperatures.

Get enough rest

You should adjust your work and rest schedule appropriately, try to avoid outdoor work during periods of highest temperatures, and get enough sleep, because adequate rest can allow the body to recover strength quickly.

Drink plenty of water

It is easy to sweat in the summer. After sweating, salt will be lost in the body, which can easily cause an imbalance in the electrolyte ratio in the body and lead to metabolic disorders. Therefore, it is necessary to replenish water and salt in time. You can drink warm water or beverages containing electrolytes. Note: Drink 1.5 to 2 liters of water every day, just enough.

Avoid large temperature differences

Do not go in and out of air-conditioned rooms frequently. The large temperature difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures can easily lead to air-conditioning disease. Large temperature differences can also cause blood vessels in the brain to contract rapidly, leading to insufficient blood supply to the brain and causing dizziness. It is recommended that the indoor temperature of the air conditioner be above 24℃.

Always have heatstroke prevention medicine on hand

Common anti-heat medicines include Huoxiang Zhengqi Water, Shidi Shui, Rendan, etc. If you have symptoms of heat stroke, you can take anti-heat medicine, drink plenty of water and rest more in a cool and ventilated place. If the symptoms do not improve, go to the hospital for treatment immediately.