On August 23, 2022, Gao Zhiqiang, Executive Vice President of Nanjing Zijin Hospital and Chairman of the Rehabilitation Quality Control Professional Committee of the Nanjing Municipal Association of Private Medical Institutions, was invited to Nanjing Television’s program “My University” to provide public education on the prevention, rehabilitation treatment, and related issues of heatstroke.

The relentless heatwave of recent days has left everyone acutely aware of why Nanjing is known as the “furnace.” Under such extreme temperatures, a new term has also come into focus: “heatstroke.”

In the program, Dean Gao began by explaining what heatstroke is. Heatstroke is a life‑threatening clinical syndrome resulting from an imbalance between heat production and heat dissipation due to exposure to hot environments or strenuous physical activity. It is characterized by a core body temperature exceeding 40°C and central nervous system dysfunction—such as altered mental status, seizures, or coma—accompanied by multiorgan damage. Originally referred to as sunstroke, the condition was thought to be caused solely by prolonged sun exposure; however, it was later recognized that non‑solar heat‑inducing environments can also precipitate the same illness, leading to its current designation as heatstroke.

After providing a scientific explanation of the dangers and contributing factors of heatstroke, Dean Gao offered a detailed briefing on essential first‑aid measures. When encountering a patient exhibiting symptoms suggestive of heatstroke, it is crucial to immediately move the individual out of the hot environment, initiate effective cooling, safeguard the airway, and ensure unobstructed breathing. At the same time, promptly call 120 and arrange for the patient’s swift transport to a hospital for emergency treatment.

Heatstroke can cause damage to multiple organs; in its early stages, it may already lead to severe complications, manifesting as delirium, somnolence, seizures, and coma. Subsequently, coagulation dysfunction may develop, followed by multiorgan failure.

Brain injury caused by heatstroke is more severe and more extensive than that resulting from other etiologies. Brain neurons cannot regenerate naturally; once central nervous system damage occurs, it leads to irreversible neurological deficits and long-term sequelae.

So, how is rehabilitation treatment conducted for heatstroke?

Rehabilitation for heatstroke primarily focuses on restoring the functions of the brain and the nervous system, encompassing motor function recovery, speech therapy, and occupational therapy. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is highly effective for heatstroke; it rapidly increases the partial pressure of oxygen in the bloodstream, ensuring adequate oxygen supply to the brain and reducing cerebral edema.

In the sweltering summer, in addition to heatstroke, excessive sweat loss can easily lead to hyponatremia. During the program, Director Gao also shared the simplest way to prevent and treat hyponatremia: dissolve half a mineral water bottle cap’s worth of salt (about 5 grams) in roughly 500 milliliters of mineral water and drink it.

Dean Gao’s science‑education program was like a timely downpour, not only enlightening everyone about heatstroke but also bringing a refreshing coolness in its wake. Here’s hoping we’ll never have another stretch of such relentless heat; and if we do, armed with knowledge of heatstroke, we can face it calmly, respond scientifically, and take appropriate preventive measures.