Summer Heat and Health: Preventing Heat-Related Illnesses

Summer is here, and with it comes the scorching heat that can take a toll on our health. As the temperature rises, our bodies work harder to regulate their internal temperature. It's essential to take precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses, which can range from mild to life-threatening.

Health Disorders Caused Due to Heat Exposure

There are several health disorders caused due to heat exposure. It is important to recognise the signs and symptoms of each condition to take necessary action.

• Heat Rash: Heat rash looks like a cluster of pimples or blisters caused by excessive sweating. It is most common in children.

• Heat Cramps: Heat cramps cause painful muscles and spasms in the legs, arms, or abdomen. It is most likely to occur in young people exercising and working in hot environments.

• Heat Syncope: Heat syncope is sudden fainting after exposure to high temperature, particularly due to exercising or standing in the heat. It can occur in both young adults and the elderly. However, body temperature does not increase.

• Heat Exhaustion: Heat exhaustion is characterised by an individual feeling thirsty, giddy, nauseous, uncoordinated, weak, and sweaty with a thready pulse with increased temperature. Rectal temperature does not exceed 103 - 104 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a warning that the body is getting too hot. A person can be given first aid for minor heat syndromes. However, they should seek consultation.

• Heat Stroke: Heat stroke can be life-threatening if not immediately handled. The rectal temperature rapidly increases to more than 104 degrees Fahrenheit. A person may become confused, combative, delirious or unconscious, usually with dry, flushed skin, breathlessness, rapid pulse, and low blood pressure, hence should be rushed to the hospital. During transport, the patient should be cooled by water sponging all over their body. Ice packs over the groin, armpits, and neck should be administered as it helps to bring the body temperature down. No oral fluids should be given as often patients have determinate consciousness.

• Heat-related food and drink bacterial pathogens such as Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli (E coli) are the most common causes of food poisoning. Water and food contamination in hot weather is one of the leading causes of the gastroenteritis case. The contamination can happen any time while preparing food, storing, or even while eating if the hands are not clean and can cause food-borne illnesses. Dehydration in such cases can make the illness even worse, affecting the kidneys.

Tips to Prevent Heat-Related Illnesses

There are several precautions you can take to prevent heat-related illnesses. Here are some tips:

• Acclimatise to High Temperature: It takes 10 to 14 days to get acclimatised to high temperatures. Increased sweating is the most important protective mechanism of the body to get acclimatised.

• Vulnerable Groups: Elderly and small children are most predisposed to heat-related illnesses. People working in close-hot environments such as kitchens, furnaces, or building workers and military recruits are also at risk. People with chronic heart illness, mental illness, and extensive skin disorders are vulnerable groups. Many medications for psychiatric, heart attack, and skin-related disorders promote vulnerability.

Preventive Measures

• Avoid or limit staying outdoors between 10 am to 4 pm

• Remember that high humidity with high temperature is worse than dry heat

• Wear loose-fitting, light-coloured cotton clothes

• Step up fluid intake all day long; don’t be guided by thirst. Drink approximately two glasses of fluid — 30 minutes before leaving and a glass every 15 minutes when outdoors. Passing pale urine every two-four hours is a good guide.

• Coffee, aerated drinks, sugary beverages, and alcohol should be avoided

• Fluids should include extra salt and a small amount of sugar, nimboo Pani (Lemonade), coconut water, lassi, juices, ORS, mango panna, etc. Also, fruits with large water content, such as watermelon, are good to have

• Consult your doctor regarding fluid and salt intake and medications if you have these restrictions

• Never leave children in parked cars, even for a short time

• Wear wide-brimmed hats or use umbrellas

• Apply sunscreen

• Take frequent breaks under shade or in an air-conditioned environment. Remember, fans do not cool when the temperature crosses 40 degrees Celsius unless the water is poured.

• Drink three-four glasses of fluids two hours before and two glasses 30 minutes before going out to play. Continue drinking one glass after frequent intervals.

• Take rest frequently under the shade or pour water on yourself.

By following the tips mentioned above, we can keep ourselves and our loved ones safe from the harmful effects of the heat wave.