BANGKOK, THAILAND – A Thai medical specialist warned that severe heatstroke could push core body temperature up to 41 degrees Celsius and damage the brain, kidneys and blood system, with high humidity sharply increasing the danger.
When the body’s “thermostat” failed
Dr. Teerawat Hemachudha from the Center of Excellence for Integrative Medicine and Public Health and adviser at the College of Oriental Medicine at Rangsit University described heatstroke as a collapse of the body’s internal temperature control.
Extreme heat combined with high humidity could overwhelm the temperature-regulating center in the brain, he said. As a result, core body temperature continued to rise even though the body should have been cooling itself.
Why humidity sharply increased the risk
The doctor stressed that the risk depended not only on the measured outdoor temperature but on the heat index, which rose significantly when humidity was high.
When sweat evaporated poorly, the body’s natural cooling mechanism worked less effectively. This meant dangerous overheating could occur much faster.
Slow onset up to a critical stage
According to Dr. Teerawat, the body could gradually “adjust” to a dangerously high internal temperature until the brain’s control system effectively failed.
At this stage, the skin could become red, hot and completely dry, while the pulse remained rapid and strong.
Organ damage: “Cooked from within”
The physician warned that by that point, internal organs such as the brain, muscles and kidneys, as well as the blood coagulation system, might already be severely damaged.
He compared the condition to being “cooked from within” and emphasized that even young, healthy people could suffer heatstroke if they were severely dehydrated.
Who was particularly at risk
High-risk groups included, according to Dr. Teerawat, older people, those with heart disease, high blood pressure or kidney disease, and infants and small children.
These groups were often less able to compensate for extreme heat and lack of fluids and therefore entered life-threatening conditions more quickly.
Danger even without direct sun
The doctor also warned of risks during sports and physical activity outdoors, such as training sessions or competitions.
He added that dangerous heat-related illnesses could develop in hot, poorly ventilated rooms even without direct sun exposure.
Four stages of heat-related illness
Dr. Teerawat distinguished four stages: sunburn, followed by muscle cramps, severe exhaustion and finally full-blown heatstroke as a medical emergency.
In the most dangerous stage, body temperature could rise above 40 degrees, the skin became hot and dry with no sweat, confusion could occur, and those affected could collapse or lose consciousness.
First aid and when hospital care was urgent
In cases of suspected heatstroke, people should go to a hospital immediately, according to Dr. Teerawat.
As first aid, he named moving the person into the shade, cooling the body with cold cloths or fans, elevating the legs and giving only small sips of water, and only if the person was awake and able to swallow safely.
Warning: never give water to the unconscious
“Never give water to an unconscious person.”
said Dr. Teerawat, warning that this could cause choking and, in the worst case, be fatal.
He stressed that improper help in such situations could turn a critical emergency into a deadly one.