We are in the midst of scorching hot summer, children, adolescents and elderly people are susceptible to heat stroke, which can also lead to critical illness. Let us take these precautions to keep the heat stroke at bay!
- It may so apparent that the day’s temperature index is 42-degree centigrade but one may feel like it is 46-degree centigrade, always worry about the heat index, not the atmospheric temperature.
- One must avoid prolonged exposure to the direct sun when the temperature is high during the day. During noon hours one must use umbrella or cap and should walk in shade to avoid direct sunlight.
- You should always prefer to wear light-coloured cotton clothes to avoid heat absorption. Avoid wearing dark and thick clothing
- Ensure that you are properly hydrated before you step out in the heat. The daily water intake in summers should be 2.5 to 3.5 litres depending on the nature of work and exposure to the sun.
- Consumption of fresh and natural summer drinks like lemon water, buttermilk, tender coconut water, aam panna, bel sharbat and sattu sharbat makes you more refreshing and keeps the body and mind active.
- Any drink with more than 10% sugar becomes a soft drink and so should be avoided. Ideally, the percentage of sugar, jaggery or Khand should be 3-5%, which is the percentage present in the oral re-hydration drink.
- You should cut down on eating oily, masala & junk food and include eating fruits like watermelon, muskmelon etc. in your daily diet
- One should pass urine at least once in 6 hours as a sign of adequate hydration.
- Heat exertion presents with fever and sweating. If you develop heat exertion, drink plenty of oral fluids, mixed with water, lemon and sugar.
- If a person develops high-grade fever, with dry armpits, this is a sign of impending heat stroke, which is a medical emergency. Immediate medical attention is required to reduce the temperature.
- People, who have been advised to restrict their fluid intake on medical grounds, should discuss their fluid requirement in summer with their doctor.
Dr. K.S. Konappa
Peritus Healthcare Solutions
(Pioneers in Home Healthcare)
Hyderabad
www.peritushealthcaresolutions.com
