While summers are often associated with warmth, vacations, and outdoor fun, exposure to abnormal or prolonged amounts of heat can not only be uncomfortable but can also increase the risk of heat stress and related health issues.
Heat-related illnesses can range from mild to severe and include:
-Prickly heat (heat rash)
-Heat edema (swelling in the hands, feet, and ankles)
-Muscle cramps
-Fainting (heat syncope)
-Heat exhaustion
-Heat stroke, potentially life-threatening
Want to understand more about other heat-related illnesses and if you could be at risk?
How does heat impact health?
Picture your body as a car engine revving in this heat. If the cooling system fails, things quickly go from uncomfortable to dangerous.
That’s exactly what happens during heat-related illnesses. Your body has a natural cooling system, like sweating and moving blood to the skin to release heat. But when it’s too hot or humid, our internal thermostat is pushed to its limits. Trapped between the heat we generate and the heat we can’t release, our bodies start to overheat. Left unchecked, overheating can lead to heat stress.
This heat stress can spiral from mild discomfort (heat rash or cramps) to life-threatening emergencies like heat stroke causing heat-related illnesses.
Watch out for symptoms of heat stress
-Extreme thirst
-Dizziness or fainting
-Nausea or vomiting, headache
-Decreased urination with unusually dark yellow urine
-Rapid breathing and fast heartbeat
If you or others feel unwell and experience any of the above symptoms during extreme heat
-Immediately move to a cool place and drink liquids. Water is best.
-Remove or loosen tight or heavy clothing to help your body cool down.
-Use cooling methods, like applying a cold, wet cloth or ice packs to your forehead, neck, armpits, and wrists. Or simply, spray water on the skin or use a damp cloth for evaporative cooling.
-Get help/medical attention
-Measure your body temperature, if possible*
But don’t sweat it just yet. Whether you’re an outdoor workout enthusiast or just trying to survive another sweltering day, knowing the warning signs and how to fight back can keep you cool, safe, and one step ahead of the heat. Let’s dive in.
Heat rash
A skin irritation caused by excessive sweating during hot, humid weather is known as heat rash or prickly heat. It usually appears as itchy bumps forming in the fold of the skin when the sweat gets trapped under the skin.
Symptoms
Symptoms of heat rash include:
-Small blisters or reddish clusters of pimples
-May usually be found in the folds like the neck, upper chest, groin, under the breasts, and in elbow creases
How to manage?
-If the work allows, stay in a cooler, less humid environment
-Keep the affected area clean and dry
-Avoid tight or synthetic clothing—wear loose, cotton fabrics
Heat cramps
Painful muscle cramps caused by loss of salt and fluids through sweating, especially during physical activity in the heat. Though these are a mild form of heat-related illness, and the body temperature is usually normal or slightly elevated. But heat cramps are an early warning sign: if you don’t take steps to cool down and rehydrate, they can lead to more serious conditions like heat exhaustion or heatstroke.
Symptoms
Muscle pains or spasms, usually in the abdomen, arms or legs are symptoms of heat cramps.
How to manage?
If you experience painful muscular cramps (particularly in the legs, arms or abdomen, common after sustained exercise during very hot weather:
-Rest immediately in a cool place, and drink oral rehydration solutions containing electrolytes
-Medical attention is needed if heat cramps last more than one hour
Stay hydrated with our range of drinks packed with essential electrolytes.
Heat exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is a moderate heat illness that can escalate to heatstroke if not treated. It occurs when your body loses too much water or salt, often due to physical activity in hot conditions. Body temperature rises but stays below 104°F (40°C).
Symptoms
Common symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
-dizziness or light headedness
-headache
-nausea and vomiting
-weakness
-thirst
-irritability
-decreased urine output
-elevated body temperature or fast heart rate
How to manage?
-Move to a cool, shaded area and have the person rest.
-Remove extra clothing and cool the skin with damp cloths or a fan.
-Offer cool drinks with electrolytes, like a sports drink, to help rehydrate.
-If there’s no improvement or the person can’t drink fluids, seek emergency care immediately—IV fluids may be needed.
Heat stroke
Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body can no longer control its temperature. The body’s temperature rises rapidly, and the sweating mechanism fails, which can damage the vital organs. Heat stroke can develop rapidly and requires immediate medical attention.
Who is at risk?
The elderly, infants, persons who work outdoors, people with obesity and poor circulation, and those on certain types of medicines or drinking alcohol could be most susceptible to heat stroke.
Watch this video to learn more about protecting children from heat stroke.
Symptoms
Heatstroke is a medical emergency: Be aware of warning signs
Seek immediate medical attention if you observe symptoms like
-Confusion, irritability, seizure or coma
-Hot, red and dry skin
-*Body temperature >40°C or 104°F
-Normal body temperature: 36.4°C- 37.2°C (97.5°F-98.9°F)]
-Throbbing headache
-Anxiety, Dizziness, fainting and light headedness
-Rapid heartbeat/Rapid, shallow breathing
How to manage?
Heatstroke management focuses on cooling the body to prevent or minimize organ damage. First aid tips to manage heat stroke include:
-Lay the person in a cool place, under a shade.
-Wipe her/him with a wet cloth/wash the body frequently.
-Pour normal-temperature water on the head.
-Give the person ORS to drink or lemon water to rehydrate the body.
Tips to prevent Heat-related illnesses
-Drink sufficient water and as often as possible, even if you are not thirsty. While traveling, carry water with you.
-Wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose, and porous cotton clothes.
-Cover your head by using a hat, an umbrella, or a damp cloth. Protect your eyes with goggles.
-Use ORS, homemade drinks like lemon water, buttermilk, etc. These help rehydrate the body and replenish electrolytes.
-Avoid strenuous activities when the outside temperature is high. If your work routine allows, avoid going outside during the peak hours.
-Avoid alcohol, tea, coffee, and carbonated soft drinks, which dehydrate the body.
-During these hot summers stay vigilant and take the necessary precautions. Stay safe!
Source:
Official Twitter account of National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health, MoHFW, GoI.
Recommended reads
8 Simple Ways To Stay Healthy During Summer
7 Effective Ways To Prevent Dehydration This Summer Season
(The article is written by Dr.Subita Alagh, Senior Executive, and reviewed by Monalisa Deka, Senior Health Content Editor)