Prevent Heat Exhaustion

What is heat exhaustion?
This condition often occurs when people exercise (work or play) in a hot, humid place and body fluids are lost through sweating, causing dehydration and overheating of the body. The person's temperature may be elevated, but not above 104 F (40 C). Heat exhaustion leads to severe effects on skin and body.

People with heat exhaustion may experience the following signs and symptoms:

Heat Exhaustion

• Heavy sweating
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Pale, clammy skin
• Thirst
• Rapid heartbeat
• Dizziness, fainting
• Nausea, vomiting
• Muscle and abdominal cramps
• Mild temperature elevations

Although heat exhaustion isn't as serious as another heat-related illness -- heat stroke -- it isn't something to be taken lightly. Without proper intervention, heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke, which can damage the brain and other vital organs, and even cause death. Care should be taken to avoid heat exhaustion and keep the body cool. The below tips and techniques can be followed meticulously to safeguard from heat during summer seasons

Get out of the sun, drink plenty of water. Ideally you should have plenty of water at-least half an hour before you go out into the sun.

Eat more fruits and vegetables. This is because they have fairly high water content and good salt balance. Drink diluted electrolytes.

People who sweat heavily tend to loose a lot of potassium and sodium. There are many over the counter electrolyte packs.

Avoid salt tablets, alcohol, caffeine, smoking and do not bare your chest.

Do not suddenly go out into the sun from an air-conditioned room or do the opposite. Learn to acclimatise slowly.

Dousing your head and neck with cold water will help if it is hot and dry.

Use a newspaper, handkerchief or a traditional hand held fan to keep yourself in cool breeze.

Wear light and light coloured clothes. the preferred coloured is white because it reflects the heat. 

 

Use cotton or polyester blends because such cloth material can breathe.

Use an umbrella or a hat, preferably one that also shades the neck and is well ventilated.