Expressnews
Authored by: DR Afreen Shabir, Internal Medicine, Gleneagles HealthCity Chennai
Global warming is causing lots of temperature variation. There are various illnesses which are common in summers. Children,infants, elderly, pregnant women, outdoor workers, manual labourers are the ones who need to be more careful from the harmful effects of excessive heat.
One can easily get dehydrated if they don’t maintain a proper hydration. Heat gain can be due to heat generated by the body or heat through the environment. The heat waves are associatedwith lot of complications like:
• Heat stroke is the most common. the body is unable to control its temperature. When temperature rises above 103 and the body is unable to cool down. the skin becomes red and dry. Headache, nausea, dizziness, seizures, hyperventilation, muscle twitching and confusion and at times loss of consciousness is common. Heat stroke needsimmediate medication attention, one should reach out to doctor.
• Heat cramps is caused due to heavy sweating during intense exercise, muscle spasm and cramps are unbearable.
• Heat exhaustion is marked by fatigue, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, and excessive sweating.
• Heat stress is when the body is unable to cool down and the sweat takes time to evaporate since the humidity is high.
• Heat exhaustion is a condition that happens when your body overheats and is one of three heat-related illnesses, with heat cramps being the mildest and heatstroke being the most serious. Symptoms may include heavy sweating and a rapid pulse and Sunburn and heat rash causes redness,painful red blisters on skin, rashes are itchy and causes discomfort. It is very common on the chest, back and hands.
• Chronic conditions like respiratory and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events are noted during peak summers leading to accelerated illness and hospitalisation and premature deaths.
• Frequent headaches, migraines can be triggered due to heat.
How to avoid health complications during a heatwave
• One can avoid such complications by creating awareness, about the complications of heat waves
• Individuals can hydrate well and drink plenty of fluids, buttermilk, tender coconut are good options. One should avoid caffeinated drinks, alcohol.
• Individuals should wear loose fitted, comfortable, cotton clothing.
• Avoid outdoor activity like workouts, sports when the temperature is at its peak, plan to reschedule outdoor activity when it’s cooler later during the evening. athletesneed to be extra cautious.
• One needs to eat light and avoid heavy meals.
• Usage of sunglass, hats, umbrellas, and sunscreen.
• Fan, air condition, staying in cool places like malls or community centre is helpful when there is power shortages. Swimming, cool showers and spraying with mist helps to keep one cool .
• Planting trees helps to cool down the environment, one should not destroy nature by cutting down trees.
• Drinking water to be made available at every street during the summer months. Earthen pots keep water cool and is a cheap and good alternative which can be placed for passerby to quench their thirst and stay hydrated.
