Heat Related Illness

Bright blues skies, crisp light and bright sunshine are all indicators of summer vacations. Summer is here and it's time to pack our bags and head to the sea. It's that time of the year, when work takes a back seat. Summer can't be without fun and frolic, and anything denying you would be in trouble. But what when the scorching heat of the sun becomes unbearable? Summer are great, but excessive exposure to heat can lead to heat related illness. Our body has its own mechanism of keeping itself warm and cooling down. However, it's the tendency of our body to heat up faster. The cooling down process takes longer, than heating up. The body cools itself through sweating.

Illnesses Relating to Heat

If the body is made to do a lot of exercise or activity in high temperatures, then even the natural cooling system is likely to fail.

Hat Cramps occur in legs, stomach, arms and abdomen, if they are exercised vigorously in extreme heat. Kids are likely to suffer from them. Fortunately, there is nothing serious about heat cramps. The main reason for occurrence of heat cramps is, losing a lot of water and salts. The best way of treating heat cramps is having a lot of water and massaging the affected area.

Heat Exhaustion is a very common heat related illness. Heat exhaustion is a result of loss of fluids from the body. In extremely high weather conditions, the body sweats excessively and if the water reserves are not replenished, then it begins to take a toll on the body. The symptoms of this heat related symptoms are dehydration, fatigue, weakness, clammy skin, headache, nausea, vomiting, hyperventilation and irritability. This can be a severe condition.

Heat Stroke is the most severe form of heat related illnesses. Heat related illness' statistics show, heat stroke claims number of lives every year. In this heat related illness, the body loses its ability to regulate its temperature. A person suffering from this condition, is likely to reach a temperature of 106°F or 41.1°C. If the heat stroke is not treated in time, it can lead to a brain damage and even death. Overexertion in the sun and inadequate fluid intake are the two most important reasons for heat stroke. The symptoms of heat stroke are dry hot skin with no sweating, hot temperature of 105°F or 40.6°F or even higher, fatigue, dizziness, loss of consciousness and severe throbbing headache.

Symptoms

Most heat related illnesses have common symptoms. Here is a list of the symptoms, which will help you understand the illness better.

• Fatigue
• Throbbing headaches
• Excessive thirst
• Muscle aches and cramps
• Weakness
• Confusion or anxiety
• Drenching sweats, often accompanied by cold, clammy skin
• Slowed or weakened heartbeat
• Vomiting
• Vertigo
• Hot, flushed, dry skin
• Decreased sweating
• Shortness of breath
• Decreased urination
• Blood in urine or stool
• Convulsions
• Confusion, delirium and loss of consciousness

Preventing the Illness

Drinking pots of water, is the first thing to do, while preventing heat related illnesses. Even if you can't drink glass full of water, drink it in small amount about 15-20 time a day. At the end of the day you should have had, 3.5 liters of water. Limit the exposure to sun. Too much of heat is not good. Even if you want to spend your day out, take frequent breaks in cool areas, with proper ventilation or air conditioners. Acclimatization plays is huge role, as it helps you to adapt better to the weather conditions. Wear loose cotton or linen clothes. Tying yourself in tight fitted clothes can adversely affect heat buildup in the body. In case of acute illness call emergency or get in touch with a doctor.

Summers will be great only if you take adequate precautions to avert heat related illnesses. And it's always better to be safe than sorry!