Khan Ayesha, Mubeen Manahil
Dow Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan.
Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan.
Ann Glob Health. 2025 Jan 20;91(1):1. doi: 10.5334/aogh.4519. eCollection 2025.
Heat stroke (HS) represents a life‑endangering condition that is due to an imbalance between heat generation and dissipation, owing to exposure to hot environments or strenuous exercise. HS is a medical condition that is gaining increased prevalence throughout the world due to a steady rise in temperature, and massive mortalities have been recorded among vulnerable populations. In 2024, extreme heat waves led to increased cases of HS and related fatalities globally, particularly in Karachi, Pakistan. This article reviews the pathophysiology, effects, treatment, and preventive strategies of HS management. Effective management includes prompt on‑site cooling and symptomatic treatment followed by intensive care for severe cases. In keeping heat‑related illnesses low, indoor stay, hydration, and public awareness campaigns play important roles. The urge of the article, therefore, is that HS demands very serious attention from the global arena and its proactive measures should be enforced to avert this medical emergency globally.
中暑(HS)是一种危及生命的状况,由于暴露于炎热环境或剧烈运动,导致产热与散热失衡所致。由于气温稳步上升,中暑在全球范围内的患病率不断增加,弱势群体中已记录到大量死亡病例。2024年,极端热浪导致全球中暑病例及相关死亡人数增加,尤其是在巴基斯坦的卡拉奇。本文综述了中暑管理的病理生理学、影响、治疗及预防策略。有效的管理包括现场迅速降温及对症治疗,随后对重症病例进行重症监护。为保持与热相关疾病的低发病率,待在室内、补充水分及开展公众意识宣传活动发挥着重要作用。因此,本文强调中暑需要全球高度重视,应采取积极措施在全球范围内避免这一医疗紧急情况。