Heatstroke is the most serious heat-related illness when the body’s temperature rises so fast that the sweating mechanism fails.
India has been witnessing high temperatures over the last few weeks. While schools have been closed for a week in West Bengal, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that the heat wave conditions over East India are going to continue for the next four days at least.
Over 13 people died from heatstroke in Maharashtra after attending a state award ceremony on Sunday (April 16). As a heatwave alert has been signalled in various states of the country, experts are advising people to stay well hydrated in the hot weather.Intense heat can cause heatstroke, which is a condition that is caused by the body overheating, usually as a result of prolonged exposure to high temperatures. It could also be because of physical exertion during the hot weather.
Your body can become quite serious and will need attention if its temperature rises to 40 degrees Celsius. Heatstroke is the most serious heat-related illness. The body’s temperature rises so fast that the sweating mechanism fails (the natural phenomenon to cool the body down), and the body is then unable to cool itself down.
According to Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the body temperature can go very high for 10 to 15 minutes and can cause permanent disability or death if the person does not receive emergency treatment.
Symptoms of heatstroke
- Altered mental status, slurred speech
- Loss of consciousness
- Hot, dry skin and excessive sweating
- Seizures
- Fatal, if treatment is delayedHow to prevent heatstroke?
To avoid your body reaching such a situation, there are a few things you can do to avoid heatstroke.
- Drink lots of water and keep your body hydrated. Experts have asked people to have summer drinks like coconut water, mint water, lemon water, fresh fruit juices and buttermilk.
- Save your skin from severe sunburns by generously applying broad-spectrum sunscreen every 2-3 hours.
- Wear light, loose, cotton clothing to remain cool and to cover your head from direct sunlight.
- Use an umbrella when out in the sun and avoid direct sunlight whenever possible.
- Have fresh fruits and vegetable juices with your meals and consume a plant-based diet.
- Keep the windows and curtains of your house closed during the day, especially on the sunny side of your house. Open them up at night to let cooler air in.
Talking about why a person should not have high protein foods in the current weather, Dr Komal Malik, Head dietician, Asian Hospital, Faridabad, earlier told indiatoday.in that a typical non-vegetarian diet causes dehydration during a heatwave since the food takes time to digest.
“A longer digestion process increases heat in the body, triggering dehydration. To help ease your stomach from pain or increase body heat, have foods like lemon water, coconut water, buttermilk and fluids rich in electrolytes instead of having tea and coffee. Spicy foods should be avoided as well,” said Dr Malik.