Sunny Side Up

In hot, humid weather, sweat the body8217;s cooling mechanism doesn8217;t work too well. The air, already warmand heavy with humidity, can8217;t absorb extra heat and sweat. So your body begins to warm, and the heart starts pumping more blood to the skin to release the extra heat. As a result, even if you sit still, your heart beats faster. And, with your heart working overtime, fatigue sets in. 8220;If you sweat a great deal and lose minerals, you could develop one or more heat illnesses,8221; says Dr Anoop Misra, HoD diabetes and metabolism at Fortis Hospitals.

HEAT CRAMPS

Mildest, but the most common heat illness. It usu-ally occurs when people have been out walking or exercising in hot, humid weather. As the victim sweats, minerals are excreted from the body. This mineral depletion causes muscles to contract in slow, painful spasms lasting one to three minutes. 8220;A person with heat cramps needs fluids, extra salts and a cool environment,8221; says Dr Misra.

HEAT EXHAUSTION

This is the second stage. Aperson has lost either too muchwater or too muchsalt through sweating. The victim may or maynot have high temperature. In either case, he or she will feel thirsty, weak, con-fused, plus suffer fromnausea and headache. The victim maysoon pass out, pulse racing. 8220;Rising temperature is a danger sign. Aheat exhaustion victim needs to lie in a cool place, with water and electrolytic fluids to drink,8221; says the doctor.

HEAT STROKE

The victim may develop severe headache, slurred speech, dizziness. In worse cases, hallucinations and seizures can happen and the patient may even become comatose. Body temperature soars to 40 C 104 F or more. 8220;The person becomes so dehydrated that the skin no longer sweats and is hot and dry to the touch. This is most dangerous heat illness. Heat stroke affects heart and kidneys and finally the brain,8221; says Dr Misra.

TREATMENT

Cool the victim as quickly as possible with what-ever means available8212;for example, wet sheets, a fan, or ice under the armpits. In some cases, the patient might be just immersed in a cold water tub to bring down the temperature. Give the victim liquids, if possible, and get medical attention im-mediately. Early treatment increases a heatstroke victim8217;s chance of survival.

THOSE AT RISK

8226; The old and the disabled.

8226; Small children under two years of age are prone to heat illness because their bodies can8217;t regu-late body heat as efficiently as the bodies of older children or adults can.

8226; Those suffering from obesity, sweat gland dis-eases, diabetes, dehydration, malnutrition, low BP and heart disease.

8226; People running high temperatures.

8226; People taking drugs like anticholinergics used to treat Parkinson8217;s disease, antihistamines for al-lergies, phenothiazines tranquilizers, tricyclic antidepressants, and diuretics for high BP 8212; all of which slow down sweat production.

8226; Those who consume alcohol to excess are at increased risk of heat illness. Alcohol causes the body to excrete water, leading to dehydration.

HOW TO PREVENT HEAT STROKE

8226; Take it easy, especially if you are over 65, overweight or on heart or blood medication.

8226; Don8217;t exert yourself in the summer heat.

8226; Exercise in an air-conditioned environment only.

8226; Acclimatise to hot weather slowly. Avoid prolonged periods of sun exposure.

8226; Drink lots of water in the summer.

8226; Wear sunscreen. Sunburns inhibit your skin8217;s ability to sweat.