THE NEURON

Know the Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment of Heat Headache: SUNDAY MIRROR

          Everywhere around the globe, the temperature is exploding. Mass deforestation and pollution add to woes. The scorching heat is a great adversity to our brain. The brain has an internal balance. It deteriorates in hot humid conditions causing a serious issue known as heat headache.

What is the Heat Headache?

A heat headache can occur when the weather is hot or during physical activities that raise the body temperature. Heat headaches don’t occur due to the direct effect of heat itself.

Why does Heat Headache occur?

-Heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke present as heat headaches.

-Too much sun or light causes irritability resulting in a heat headache.

– Dehydration from not drinking enough water causes heat headaches.

-Not following a routine by skipping meals, causes hypoglycemia as the metabolic demands increase in heat.

-Not following a routine by skipping medication for already diagnosed heat headaches.

– Medication becoming less effective at higher temperatures due to high metabolism.

– Exercising in the heat causes excessive water evaporation from the body causing dehydration which is a primary cause of heat headaches.

– Those with migraine or tension-type headaches suffer from increased frequency of attack due to temperature.

How to Prevent it?

Several headache societies advise people to take steps to prevent heat headaches in the summer.

These include:

Drinking plenty of liquids throughout the day:

Take at least 2/3 glasses of water. If possible, you can take an oral rehydration solution or lemon water.

Take regular breaks in shaded areas:

If you go out, take a break in shaded areas every 30 minutes.

Avoiding excessive sun exposure:

Avoid high-temperature outings. Use caps gloves etc.

Wearing polarized sunglasses:

They protect the eyes causing decreased sensitivity and excessive light.

Wearing fragrance-free sunscreen or other lotions:

Excessive fragrance causes irritation to our brain.

Avoiding exercise in extreme heat:

Exercise in extreme heat will raise your body temperature and may cause a heat headache.

Continuing to eat meals on a normal schedule:

Take multiple meals with high water content in small intervals.

Taking medications according to the prescription:

Don’t stop any headache medicine without any consultation from a neurologist.

Keeping medications at room temperature:

Medicines if kept in the sun lose their efficacy.

How to Treat it?

– Over-the-counter medicine: Paracetamol, ibuprofen, etc help in decreasing the intensity of headache.

– Sufficient water intake: Take sufficient water. It will help in warding off dehydration.

– Limit caffeine – A high amount of caffeine increases the frequency of headaches. It’s better to avoid it.

– Cold place – If sun-induced headache is there, rest in cold places. Because headache is an early sign of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Every year the temperature is on the rise. With it, heat-related neurological conditions are on the rise too. Be aware and prevent them with the best neurologist in Cuttack, The Neuron.

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Happy Sunday