Come summers and the scorching sun has the potential to drain our energy, dehydrate us, or get sick with heat stroke thanks to the scorching heat waves that have us looking for an instant solution to cool off during those swampy days of summer and revive and rejuvenate our spirits. Heat waves of over 40 degrees Celsius are hitting many parts of India and health experts are warning that when body temperature rises above 40 degrees Celsius, a life-threatening condition known as heat stroke occurs.

Cause :

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr. Harish Chafle, Senior Consultant in Respirology and Critical Care at Global Hospital, Parel Mumbai, said, “Heat stroke is a condition that occurs when our body temperature rises to 40 degrees Celsius or higher due to overheating. Heatstroke requires immediate medical attention because it can damage your brain, heart, kidneys, and muscles if left untreated. The longer treatment is delayed, the higher the risk of major complications and death. With the strong heat which increases enormously day by day and the weather warning for the same form for 3 days, people are worried about the preventions and precautions to be taken to protect themselves from the harmful effects of the heat wave.

Symptoms:

According to Dr. Sulaiman Ladhani, Consultant Respiratory Physician, Chest MD and Tuberculosis at Masina Hospital in Mumbai, “Signs and symptoms of heatstroke include high body temperature, around forty degrees Celsius, there may be Altered mental status or behavior such as confusion, slurred speech, irritability and, in severe cases, seizures and coma may result from heat stroke. There is a decrease in perspiration. There is therefore an alteration in perspiration. The skin feels very hot and dry to the touch and if brought on by strenuous exercise the skin will be very dry.

He added: “There may be nausea and vomiting, flushed skin, rapid breathing or an accelerated heart rate. The pulse may be considerably elevated due to the heat. Stress is a tremendous strain on your heart to help cool your body and a throbbing headache. So, if any of these symptoms are detected, consult a doctor immediately and take the treatment as soon as possible, as soon as possible.

How can a heat wave cause a stroke?

Pointing out that infants and the elderly are more prone to it because in infants the central nervous system is not very well developed and in the elderly they have a poor ability to adapt to temperature control and it makes them becomes difficult to maintain or regulate body temperature effectively, Dr. Sulaiman Ladhani, Consultant Pulmonary Physician, MD Chest and Tuberculosis at Masina Hospital, Mumbai, revealed, “If there is a sudden change in temperature, it could cause heat stroke. Like if you are traveling in an AC bus or working in an office with high or very low temperatures and you suddenly go outside and are exposed to heat, in such cases it becomes very difficult for the body to regulate temperature and therefore it can lead to heat stroke.

Explaining how it can cause a stroke, “We know that 70% of our body is made up of water. So if you are dehydrated and don’t drink enough water it becomes very difficult for the body to regulate itself and when you go out in the sun it can lead to heatstroke. So these are basically a few predisposing factors that can lead to heat stroke. Others also include people who take certain medications, which affect your body’s ability to stay hydrated, and certain chronic heart and lung conditions can also increase your risk of heat stroke. Being obese, being sedentary and having a history of heat stroke could also be one of the predisposing factors.

He added: “It can lead to a number of complications depending on how long the body temperature has been elevated. Serious complications include damage to vital organs without a quick lower body response. Temperature, heatstroke can cause your brain or other organs to swell, eventually leading to permanent damage and can also lead to death in severe cases, if not treated in time.

Prevention tips:

Advising to stay cool, Dr. Harish Chafle listed some simple tips to help protect against heat waves:

1. Wear light clothes – Wear light, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing to avoid rashes and allergies.

2. Stay cool indoors in AC – Try to stay in air-conditioned places as much as possible. If your home doesn’t have air coolers, visit a mall or library that has an air conditioner or coolers that will help keep your body cool when you return to the heat. Call your local health department to see if there are heat shelters in your area.

3. Cold and cool showers – Keep in mind that electric fans are comfortable and can provide relief on normal days, but when the temperature is very high, electric fans will not prevent heat-related illnesses. Taking a cold, cool shower twice a day or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off. Use your induction oven and gas oven less to maintain a cooler temperature in your home.

4. Avoid outdoor activities – Try to avoid doing your outdoor activity during very hot weather like afternoons. Try to finish your errands when it’s coolest, such as mornings and evenings. Rest often in shaded areas so your body has a chance to recover.

5. Freshen up – Avoid strenuous exercise in the heat for long hours. If you’re not used to working or exercising in a hot environment, start slow and gradually increase the pace. If exertion in the heat makes your heart race and leaves you out of breath, STOP all activity. Try to be in a cool place or shelter covered in the sun and rest, especially if you feel faint or faint.

6. Wear Sunscreen/SPF – To protect yourself from the sun, wear SPF. Sunburn affects your body’s ability to cool itself and can dehydrate you. If you go outside, protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and applying sunscreen SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes before going outside. Keep reapplying it according to the directions on the package. Look for sunscreens that say “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection” on their labels – these products work best.

Echoing the same, Dr. Sulaiman Ladhani claimed that the best way is prevention and to prevent heatstroke he suggested that when you are out in the sun try to stand in shaded areas like under a tree. or try to avoid going out of your house during peak hours during the summers. He advised: “It is important to understand that we need to stay hydrated. It is therefore very important to have enough water or juice, that the body has enough liquid to function properly. Avoid traveling long distances at peak times, try to avoid eating out, especially heavy meals at the same time, try to have small frequent meals, avoid drinking beverages like tea or coffee , excess carbonated drinks and especially alcohol should be avoided try to wear loose and light clothing, protect yourself against sunburn, apply sunscreen to your skin, use sunglasses and a cap in the possible.

Emphasizing that infants and the elderly need special care, Dr Sulaiman Ladhani said: “It is better to let them stay at home and not be exposed to outside heat. Try to take a shower twice a day. Avoid taking medications which can add more heat to your body Avoid exercising in the sun which can cause more heat and sweating in your body. Instead, you can stay indoors and exercise at home.