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Heat strokes are common occurrences during the summer, especially in hot cities like Mecca. According to a previous statement from the spokesperson of the National Center for Meteorology, the preliminary indicators for this summer in Saudi Arabia suggest it will be hot. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah revealed the places where heat strokes are most likely to occur, including the Tawaf during midday, the Sa'i during severe crowding and high temperatures, as well as the Arafat area at noon, and Mina in the slaughtering areas and the Jamarat, due to the long distances and crowding during the stoning ritual. The Ministry of Health stated that the most prominent symptoms of heat strokes include a body temperature rising to 40 degrees Celsius or higher, heat, redness, and moisture in the skin, strong and rapid heartbeats, in addition to headaches, dizziness, nausea, loss of consciousness, and seeing or hearing things that are not present in reality (hallucinations). Treatment involves immediately calling for an ambulance, moving the affected person to a cool place, and helping to lower the body temperature by using cold compresses and cold water, while avoiding giving the affected person any fluids to drink.

Drink plenty of cold water

Consultant in internal medicine and pulmonary diseases Dr. Badr Al-Harithi revealed to "Okaz" that the groups at risk of heat strokes during Hajj include the elderly, children, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart diseases, or kidney diseases. He pointed out that these individuals often suffer from a weakened ability to regulate body temperature, making them more susceptible to dehydration, as well as those who are obese and first-time Hajj participants. He added that some medications, such as diuretics, increase the likelihood of heat strokes during the Hajj season, as temperatures in Mecca can reach between 45-48 degrees Celsius, which increases heat stress. He advised these groups to drink adequate amounts of water, avoid direct sunlight, take regular breaks, and seek medical attention immediately upon the appearance of heat stroke symptoms, noting that the recovery rate from heat strokes exceeds 90% with early diagnosis and treatment.

Delirium, sweating, and coma

Neurosurgeon Dr. Ahmed Ramzi Aql defined heat stroke as a condition resulting from an increase in body temperature, usually occurring due to exposure to high temperatures or engaging in physical activity in high temperatures for an extended period. He mentioned that there are several stages of heat-related illnesses, indicating that heat stroke is the most severe and the most common during the summer months. He added that heat stroke occurs when the body temperature rises to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), emphasizing that it requires emergency care. If left untreated, it can cause rapid damage to the brain, heart, kidneys, and muscles, and the damage worsens the longer treatment is delayed, increasing the risk of serious complications or death.

Has your heart rate accelerated?

Dr. Ramzi outlined the symptoms, stating that they include an increase in body temperature, with a temperature of 40 degrees Celsius or higher being the main indicator of heat stroke, and changes in mental or behavioral state. Heat stroke can result in confusion, agitation, slurred speech, irritability, delirium, seizures, coma, and changes in sweating patterns, where the skin feels hot and dry to the touch, along with nausea, vomiting, redness of the skin, rapid breathing, and an increased heart rate. The pulse becomes noticeably rapid because heat stress places a heavy burden on the heart to help cool the body. He emphasized that medical help should be sought immediately if there is any suspicion of heat stroke.

He noted that immediate actions that can be taken include cooling the affected person while waiting for emergency treatment by placing them in the shade or inside a building, removing excess clothing, and suggesting that they can be placed in a cold water tub or cold shower, sprayed with a garden hose, or wiped down with a cold, wet sponge, or use a fan while spraying them with cold water, or applying ice packs or cold, wet towels to the person's head, neck, and armpits.

Heat stroke is more dangerous than heat exhaustion

Public health specialist at the Health Awareness Department of the Ministry of Health in Mecca, Fawaz Abdul Karim Al-Zahrani, attributed heat exhaustion to the loss of water and salts from the body due to excessive sweating resulting from exposure to extremely hot weather combined with significant physical exertion, leading to a severe rise in body temperature. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include fatigue, excessive sweating, general weakness, dizziness, headaches, nausea, and thirst. Heart rates may increase and quicken, and dehydration may occur, leading to a decrease in urine output due to fluid loss.

Al-Zahrani classified heat stroke as a more serious condition than heat exhaustion, which can lead to death if not treated immediately. It occurs due to direct exposure to high temperatures, raising the body temperature to 40 degrees Celsius or higher. Heat stroke may occur after experiencing heat exhaustion and is characterized by a severe increase in body temperature, altered consciousness, and the affected person may lose consciousness entirely. He added that the difference between heat stroke and heat exhaustion can be observed by examining the affected person; in heat stroke, the skin is hot, dry, and red, with a high temperature, severe fatigue, and the possibility of losing consciousness, while in heat exhaustion, the skin is cool, pale or yellow, the person sweats profusely, and there is dilated pupils, lack of heat, physical weakness, and fatigue.