An elderly woman in Hunan, China, nearly lost her life after choosing to rely solely on a fan during an afternoon nap amid extreme heat, refusing to turn on the air conditioner due to frugality. Her body temperature soared to over 42°C before she was rescued in time.
According to reports, the woman, identified as Grandma Liu (pseudonym) from Changsha, is known for her thrifty lifestyle. Despite a prolonged heatwave, she insisted on enduring the heat without using air conditioning. On July 11, she followed her usual routine of taking a nap with only a fan running and ended up sleeping for five hours.
Her son became concerned when she didn’t wake up as usual. Upon checking on her, he found her body burning hot and unresponsive. He immediately called emergency services.
Upon arrival at the hospital, doctors recorded a rectal temperature of 42°C. She was unconscious, breathing rapidly, and had lost control of her bodily functions. She showed no reaction to external stimuli.
Dr. Li Sha from the Emergency and Critical Care Center at Changsha Fourth Hospital diagnosed her condition as heatstroke. “With her body temperature exceeding 40°C and signs of impaired consciousness, this is a clear case of heatstroke,” said Dr. Li. “Heatstroke is the most severe form of heat-related illness, with a mortality rate of over 10% annually.”
Medical staff immediately began emergency treatment, including oxygen therapy, intravenous fluids, and the use of a cooling blanket to rapidly reduce her body temperature. After about an hour, she gradually regained consciousness, and her temperature returned to normal. She was treated in the ICU for three days before being discharged in stable condition.
Doctors caution that heatstroke occurs when the body’s heat regulation fails due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures and humidity, leading to dangerously elevated core body temperatures. During hot weather, it’s essential not to “save” on air conditioning, to stay well-hydrated, and to rest adequately. If symptoms such as confusion or excessive body heat appear, immediate cooling and medical attention are critical.
