Dealing with Heat Shock from Air Conditioning - What to Do?

The weather has been unusually hot lately, and with the habit of using air conditioning 24/7, many people are prone to heat shock. If not addressed promptly, this condition can pose health risks.

1. Dealing with Heat Shock from Air Conditioning - What to Do?

The weather has been unusually hot lately, and with the habit of using air conditioning 24/7, many people are prone to heat shock. If not addressed promptly, this condition can pose health risks.

Heat shock leads to over 600 deaths annually in the United States. The risk of death is less than 5% in individuals experiencing heat shock if they exercise, and as high as 65% in those with non-exercise-related illnesses.

What is Heat Shock and its Types?

Heat Shock
Heat shock (also known as heatstroke) is a condition characterized by a body temperature above 40°C accompanied by neurological dysfunction (confusion, coma, convulsions). Heat shock occurs due to high external temperatures or exertion. Risk factors include heatwaves, high humidity, certain medications such as diuretics, beta-blockers, or alcohol, heart disease, and skin disorders. Cases not related to physical exertion often occur in extreme age groups or those with long-term health issues. Heat shock is a type of hyperthermia, distinct from fever, where there is a physiological increase in the set point temperature.

Cold Heat Shock
A sudden drop in temperature requires more energy expenditure, leading to decreased immunity. For sensitive individuals with weakened immunity, the risk of cold heat shock is high. Symptoms of cold heat shock often include weather allergies, peripheral nerve palsy causing facial distortion, facial paralysis, stroke, serious impacts on life and health... Therefore, preventing the risk of cold heat shock is extremely necessary.

Air Conditioning Heat Shock
Due to high demand for cooling, many places maintain air conditioning temperatures significantly lower than outdoors. To avoid air conditioning heat shock, it is advisable to set the temperature 7°C lower than the actual temperature. After 8 hours of air conditioning use, it is necessary to turn off the air conditioner and open the door for air circulation. Before going outside, turn off the air conditioner 30 minutes in advance for the body to adapt, avoiding air conditioning heat shock. Heat shock from cold to hot is commonly experienced when using air conditioning for too long. Getting out of the car and opening the air conditioner on a hot day can also cause heat shock from cold to hot.
 
Causes of Heat Shock
Heat shock can occur due to:
- Exposure to hot environments: There is a type of heat shock that occurs when exposed to hot weather for too long, increasing body temperature. This type of heat shock commonly occurs after prolonged exposure to hot and humid weather, most frequently in the elderly and those with chronic illnesses.
- Strenuous activity: Exertional heat shock is due to an increase in temperature when the body engages in physical activity in hot weather. Anyone who exercises or works in harsh weather conditions can experience heat exhaustion, or when the body is not accustomed to high temperatures.
- Wearing too many clothes: Too many layers of fabric prevent sweat from evaporating, making it difficult for the body to cool down quickly.
- Drinking alcohol: It can affect the body's ability to regulate temperature.
- Not drinking enough water: The body loses water due to insufficient replenishment of lost fluids through sweating.

Identifying Signs of Heat Shock

- Elevated body temperature: A body temperature greater than or equal to 40°C (104°F) is the main indicator of heat shock.
- Changes in mental state or behavior: Symptoms such as confusion, anxiety, incoherence, irritability, coma, seizures, and delirium may result from heat shock.
- Sweating pattern changes: In cases of heat shock due to hot weather, you may feel hot and dry to the touch. However, in cases of exertional heat shock, you may feel moist skin.
- Nausea and vomiting: You may feel discomfort in the stomach or vomit.
- Flushed skin: The skin may turn red as body temperature rises.
- Rapid breathing: There may be rapid and shallow breathing.
- Increased heart rate: The pulse may significantly increase as the heart works harder to circulate blood, aiding in body cooling.

Complications of Heat Shock
This condition can lead to various complications during recovery and subsequent hospitalization. These complications may result directly from heat-related injuries or accompanying illnesses, such as disturbances in fluid and electrolyte balance and prolonged systemic inflammatory response.
- Electrolyte and metabolic disturbances (e.g., increased or decreased blood potassium, increased or decreased blood sodium, low blood glucose, low blood phosphorus, low blood magnesium, and low blood calcium).
- Seizures (may occur secondary to electrolyte disturbances and require adjustment, low blood glucose, brain injury, improper cerebral blood flow, or other causes). Therefore, treatment should begin promptly with sedative medication while investigating the cause.
- Agitated delirium (often transient and a consequence of increased body temperature, but may be secondary to low blood glucose, improper cerebral blood flow, brain injury, or other causes). It can be treated with short-acting sedatives.
- Respiratory failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome.
- Acute renal injury (often accompanied by rhabdomyolysis). Early consideration of renal replacement therapy if at risk.
- Liver injury.
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).
- Gastrointestinal bleeding and bowel damage due to hypoperfusion.
- Cardiac muscle injury, arrhythmias (generally recover if cooled rapidly, fluid replacement, and correction of electrolyte imbalances).

Treatment for Heat Shock
When encountering a person with heat shock, seek immediate assistance. Attempt to cool the victim while waiting for emergency assistance:
- Move the patient into shade or indoors.
- Remove excess clothing.
- Cool the person by any means available – spraying water, soaking in water, applying wet towels to the head, neck, armpits, and groin of the patient.
- Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if the patient loses consciousness and there are no signs of circulation such as breathing, coughing, or movement.

When feeling signs of heat shock, you should:
- Rest in a cool place:
The best place is where there is air conditioning. If conditions do not permit, find a shady place or sit in front of a fan. Lie down with both legs elevated higher than the heart rate.
- Drink cool water:
Drink filtered water or sports drinks. Do not drink any alcoholic beverages, as they may dehydrate the body.
- Try cooling measures:
If possible, take a cool shower, immerse yourself in water, or apply a wet towel to the skin. If outdoors and no place to rest, you can immerse yourself in a cool pond or stream.
- Loosen clothing:
Remove any unnecessary clothing, ensuring the lightest clothing possible and avoiding tight clothing.

Preventing Heat Shock
- Limit unnecessary outdoor activities in hot weather. If you must go outside in hot weather, wear a hat, dress appropriately, wear sunglasses, masks... to prevent heatstroke.
- Limit overexertion in hot, humid environments for prolonged periods.
- Drink plenty of water, especially for outdoor workers who lose a lot of water and should drink additional water with lemon, fruit juice,... However, do not drink too much ice water or very cold water, which can cause sore throats.
- Do not set the air conditioning temperature in the room too low, and do not let the fan blow directly close to the body.
- Take advantage of exercising at times when environmental temperatures are least hot.
- Wear loose and light clothing, and avoid wearing too many layers of clothes.