Beat the Heat ! But How?

With summer at its peak, it is a daily challenge for everyone, be it an adult, a kid or an elderly, to face the dry hot winds and scorching sun. If not paid attention to how one should save oneself from the ill effects of this extreme heat, one is likely to suffer from heat exhaustion and stroke. Preventing it and managing it at the earliest is the easiest and safest way.

The most vulnerable population is of children below 5 years, elderly and people with chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, asthama and kidney disease. Exposure to extremely dry and hot air squenches all water from the body, dehydrates the body and leads to various symptoms like 

1. Heat exhaustion: 

A. body temperature rising from 37-40 degrees or greater than 40 degree.

B. Red hot flushed skin

C. Headache, nausea, vomiting

D. Lethargy, muscle cramps, palpitations

E. Decreased urination

F. Rapid shallow breathing

2. Heat stroke: in some cases it may lead to severe form of heat stroke characterised by

A. Fainting

B. Giddiness

C. Unconsciousness

D. Seizures

E. Slurred speech

F. Even confusion and coma

 SOME TIPS FOR PREVENTION

1. Wear light coloured, light weight, loose fitting clothes

2. Cover the head with a cap  or cloth

3. Drink lots of water before going out, during outdoor stay and after coming inside. An adult should consume atleast 8-10 glass of water and a kid around 4-5 glasses depending on age.

4. Also drink lots of other fluids like fruit juices, shakes. Avoid too much of tea and coffee.

5. Never leave kids in cars during parking.

6. Try to limit exercises in cooler part of day like early morning or evenings.

7. Rest if you feel tired or weak.

8. Eat smaller meals more frequently than heavy meals.

 HOW TO DEAL ONCE EXPOSED  

1. Get immediately to a cool place like indoors. Or a shady place. 

2. Remove extra layers of cloth

3. Cool the body with wet tissue or cloth or take a bath

4. Rehydrate the body with consuming plenty of fluids like coconut water, lime juice or ors.

5. Take adequate rest in ambient temperature and avoid subsequent heat exposure for next 24-48 hrs

6. Avoid heavy exercise

7. Avoid oily and spicy food and sugary and alcoholic beverages

8. Eat juicy fruits like musk melon and watermelon and mangoes

9. Consult your pediatrician or physician if symptoms do not improve.

  

Dr Nivedita Kapoor

Newborn and child specialist

Litl smiles multi-specialty clinic

Gaur galleria market 

Gaur City 2

9811701303

https://dr-nivedita-kapoor-new-child-born-specialistchild.business.site/