MUST KNOW THING IN SUMMER: SUNDAY MIRROR
The summers are growing to be extremely painful in the subcontinent. Temperature crossing 40 degrees Celsius in many places. Rapid urbanization, destruction of green cover, and water scarcity add to the woes. Excessive heat causes an imbalance in the internal milieu of the human body. If heat exhaustion is not corrected it gives rise to heat stroke.
What is Heat Exhaustion?
Heat exhaustion is a heat-related illness that can occur after you’ve been exposed to high temperatures. Heat exhaustion happens when your body overheats and can’t cool itself down. It causes damage to the internal balance of our body. It usually results from physical activity in hot weather and it’s often accompanied by dehydration.
During physical activity, your body loses fluids through sweat. If you don’t replace those fluids by drinking water or other liquids, you can become dehydrated. Dehydration puts you at risk for heat exhaustion. Relative humidity of 60% or more hampers sweat evaporation, which hinders your body’s ability to cool itself. The risk of heat-related illness dramatically increases when the heat index climbs to 90 degrees or more. Children and old people are much more prone to heat exhaustion. Those with chronic diseases are prone to it. Alcoholics and people with addictions suffer more.
There are two types of heat exhaustion:
- Water depletion: Signs include excessive thirst, weakness, headache, and loss of consciousness. This occurs due to the loss of water by sweating.
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- Salt depletion: It occurs due to the loss of salts by sweating. Signs include nausea, vomiting, cramps etc.
Signs of Heat Exhaustion
Common signs of heat exhaustion are:-
- Confusion
2. Fatigue
3. Cramps
4. Lathergy
5. Palpitations
6. Fainting
7. Headache
8. Nausea and Vomiting
9. Profusely Sweating
If you feel these symptoms attacking you after exposure to a hot climate, you might be suffering from heat exhaustion.
How to counter heat exhaustion
If anyone has symptoms of heat exhaustion, get out of the heat soon and rest, preferably in an air-conditioned room. If you can’t get inside, find the nearest cool and shady place. If nothing is there go to a tree shade. Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid alcohol and caffeine drinks.
Remove any tight or unnecessary clothing. Take a cool shower, bath, or sponge bath. You can apply other cooling measures such as ice.
If such measures fail to provide relief within 15 minutes, seek emergency medical help, because untreated heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke. Heat stroke is an extremely lethal condition. And to protect yourself and your future generations plant trees.
Please read and share for awareness.
Also, Know the 7 ways to Protect your Brain from Heat
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