BEAT THE HEAT

In this hot, scorching weather, it becomes mandatory for us to take care of our health as well as health of our loved ones. Heat related illnesses are preventable and treatable, only if identified at the right time.
Our body has its own internal cooling system which is controlled by a part of brain called hypothalamus. Perspiration or sweating is also a part of it which aids in cooling our body down. More the sweat evaporates, body temperature comes down. In hot weather, when temperatures are soaring high, this physiology of the body can go off balance, if not taken care of. Heat index is an index indicating apparent atmospheric temperature and relative humidity in the atmosphere. More the humidity in hot weather, more is the sweating, but the rate of evaporation of sweat slows down, hence body temperature doesn’t come down easily. Higher the heat index, more are the chances of getting heat related illness.

Heat related illness is caused when a person is exposed to high temperatures such as working in hot weather for prolonged time. If someone is already dehydrated, they can get drained out even more easily. Elderly people and children less than 12 years are more prone to heat stress. People who have thyroid illness, diabetes, obesity can also be at risk of heat stress. People taking anti depressants also need to be careful.

Heat related illnesses can be classified as heat cramps, heat exhaustion and most dangerous one, heat stroke. To begin with, extreme tiredness, severe muscle cramps can develop. In the stage of heat exhaustion, body temperature can range between 100 to 104*f. There can be excessive sweating, vomiting and the person might feel dizzy. Pulse might be fast and weak. If you experience these signs or see someone experiencing them, immediately seek help. Take the person to cooler environment. Rest. Loosen the clothes, try to cool him down with ice packs or cool shower, whichever is available. Give fluids and water to drink. If symptoms persist for than half an hour, rush to nearest hospital. Remember, seeking immediate medical help will be advisable if heat exhaustion is seen in elderly or young children as they can progress rapidly to heat stroke.
What is heat stroke? It is a medical emergency, in which body temperature will be above 104*f. Despite body being hot, there will not be any sweating ( the mechanism of the body to regulate temperature by sweat evaporation totally fails). A person may experience throbbing headache and high Bp. He will be confused, in altered state of mentation and even worse can become unconscious . Immediately rush the patient to hospital. Till the ambulance arrives, start cooling the patient with cool showers or ice packs. Do sponging with cool water, till the temperature comes down below 102*f. Do not give fluids to drink. If this medical condition is not identified promptly, affected person can land into coma, kidney and liver failure and it can also damage heart. In short, complications can be life threatening. Be vigilant about above symptoms and signs, they can help you in identifying heat exhaustion and stroke , if you or someone else around you is experiencing it.

Now let us talk about preventive care and measures. Try not to go out in such scorching heat. If you must go out, plan the work so that you are exposed to heat for as less time as possible. Wear loose, light clothes to help evaporation of sweat. Cover your head, use umbrella or scarfs. Apply sunscreen. Carry a water bottle with you. Make sure you are well hydrated before going out and after coming home. If you have to work for hours in hot sun, take periodic breaks for water and rest. In simple words, hydration can be assessed by the colour of the urine. If the urine colour is very dark and quantity is less, you possibly are dehydrated. The urine colour should be light yellow if you are drinking adequate amounts of water. Keep your diabetes, Bp and thyroid disorders under control with the help of regular consultations with your doctor.

Our eyes only see what mind knows,
So…
When it comes to summers, it’s important to know about heat stroke apart from mangoes.

It’s time to beat the heat…