Prolonged exposure to the sun can trigger a failure in the nervous system mechanisms that control body temperature , that is, sweating and dilation of peripheral vessels. This causes the body temperature to skyrocket to 45ºC and the symptoms of heat stroke appear.
One of the first signs of this disorder is what doctors call heat exhaustion , which manifests as cramps, vomiting, and lack of coordination. However, on many occasions, sunstroke appears without warning.
"Those affected suffer a sensation of mental confusion , accompanied by motor clumsiness and headache . These symptoms can lead to important nervous complications, such as seizures, vision disturbances and loss of consciousness," warns Dr. Martínez Vila, consultant of the Department of Neurosurgery of the University Clinic of Navarra, in Pamplona.
