High Risk in Summer! Watch Out for Heat Stroke – 5 Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Did you know?

In China,on average,

one person dies from stroke every 16 seconds,

making it the leading cause of death—

a true“number one killer.”

Studies show that

when temperatures rise above 32°C(90°F),

the risk of stroke increases significantly,

and the risk continues to climb with higher temperatures.


A stroke,also known as a cerebrovascular accident,is an acute condition caused by interruption of blood flow to the brain,leading to neurological impairment.Heat stroke is a type of stroke that occurs in hot weather,especially when temperatures exceed 32°C,and is particularly common in summer—requiring special caution.

Strokes are generally classified into two types:ischemic(cerebral infarction)and hemorrhagic(cerebral hemorrhage),with ischemic strokes being the most common[1].


Currently,there are approximately 14.94 million stroke patients in China,with about 3.3 million new cases and 1.54 million deaths annually[2].

Stroke often occurs suddenly,but it is not entirely unpredictable.


One of the most common causes is cerebrovascular damage due to atherosclerosis.Over time,fat deposits accumulate in blood vessel walls,forming plaques that can block blood flow.


Although strokes can strike suddenly,there are warning signs.

If you notice any of these five symptoms—facial drooping,limb weakness or numbness,slurred speech or language difficulties,blurred or temporary vision loss,or confusion and loss of balance—immediate medical attention is crucial.These are often referred to as“mini-strokes”.



Hydrogen molecules have anti-inflammatory,antioxidant,and anti-apoptotic effects,showing significant potential as an adjunctive therapy for cardiovascular diseases[3].

A research team led by Professor Yang Wanchao from Harbin Medical University studied the effects of hydrogen-oxygen inhalation on neural repair after diabetic stroke.Their findings,published in the international journal Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology[4],


showed that inhaling a hydrogen-oxygen mixture improved multiple indicators of diabetic stroke,including cerebral infarction,cerebral edema,survival rate,body weight,and neurological function.

Rehabilitation is also critical for stroke survivors,addressing limb paralysis,language disorders,dysphagia,cognitive impairment,and depression.

For example,Qilu Children’s Hospital of Shandong University reported a case of an 11-year-old boy in a vegetative state.Conventional treatments had failed,but after five months of hydrogen-oxygen inhalation therapy,the patient gradually regained consciousness,and CT scans showed clear signs of improvement[5].


References:

[1]Gansu Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.World Stroke Prevention Day|Recognize Early Symptoms and Prevent Stroke[EB/OL].https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/1Hxw0_nrFz072tCTI7AEow,2025-5-23.

[2]Tianjin Municipal Health Commission.[Common Diseases·Popular Science Article]Early Knowledge of Stroke[EB/OL].https://wsjk.tj.gov.cn/JKJY5233/JKDJT3184/202409/t20240911_6724377.html,2024-9-11.

[3]Li L,Li X,Zhang Z,Liu L,Zhou Y,Liu F.Protective Mechanism and Clinical Application of Hydrogen in Myocardial Ischemia-reperfusion Injury.Pak J Biol Sci.2020 Jan;23(2):103-112.

[4]Yang WC,Li TT,Wan Q,Zhang X,Sun LY,Zhang YR,Lai PC,Li WZ.Molecular Hydrogen Mediates Neurorestorative Effects After Stroke in Diabetic Rats:the TLR4/NF-κB Inflammatory Pathway.J Neuroimmune Pharmacol.2023 Jun;18(1-2):90-99.

[5]Huang Y,Xiao FM,Tang WJ,Qiao J,Wei HF,Xie YY,Wei YZ.Hydrogen inhalation promotes recovery of a patient in persistent vegetative state from intracerebral hemorrhage:A case report and literature review.World J Clin Cases.2022 Feb 6;10(4):1311-1319.doi:10.12998/wjcc.v10.i4.1311.PMID:35211564;PMCID:PMC8855194.