Can't Deal With the Heat? Here's How to Cool Down Naturally

Is the heat making it difficult for you to keep up your fight against the Coronavirus pandemic? Well, here's help. With the temperatures rising and the heatwave just around the corner, don't give up just yet. 

The Indian Metrological Department has already given us a warning sign for the hot summers ahead. A few precautions can go a long way in helping you stay healthy. 

"While we all know that our healthcare system has already been stretched to combat the ongoing pandemic, we can be responsible towards safeguarding human health and safety. We also need to take actions that make our communities less vulnerable to the heatwave impact that’s already in progress," says Dr Sanjay Shah, general physician, Fortis Hospital, Mulund.

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He adds that while there is much awareness on the dos and don’ts that people must follow for keeping the virus at bay, much needs to be spoken about the heatwave and its consequences. "Extreme heat events can be dangerous to one’s health – fatal sometimes. These events result in increased hospitalizations for heat-related illness, as well as cardiovascular distress, brain stroke and respiratory disorders. Extreme heat events can also trigger a ‘heat stroke’; this is a serious heat-related disorder. It means body temperatures of more than 104F due to hot environmental conditions. It occurs when the body is unable to control modulate its temperature," says Dr Shah.

When suffering from a heat stroke, the body temperature rises rapidly, sweating mechanism fails, and the body cannot cool down. Heatwave generally leads to confusion, headaches, nausea, and dizziness. This condition can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not made available within the golden hour. Dr Shah suggests the following tips to avoid falling prey to the heatwave:

Keep yourself hydrated: Always carry a bottle of water when outdoors. Make sure you drink plenty of water and fresh juices to give your body the extra hydration it needs to make it through the hot days. You can also carry some glucose water for instant energy.  If your doctor limits your fluid intake for medical reasons, check how much water can be consumed during hot weather. Avoid alcoholic, hot, or sugary drinks including tea and coffee (they can make dehydration worse)

Having seasonal fruits and vegetables: Fresh fruits and vegetables like Mangoes, Watermelons, Cucumbers, green leafy veggies go a long way in keeping you hydrated and provide the much-needed vitamins & minerals. These are not only easy to digest but will also give your hydration levels a boost

Carry an umbrella whenever you are out in the sun: If you cannot avoid walking in the peak afternoon heat, make sure you carry an umbrella to shield yourself from the harsh rays of the sun

Shower twice a day at least: Bathing helps in bringing down the body temperature. It is best to bathe with lukewarm water – studies suggest that taking a cold shower may actually switch you into ‘heat preservation’ mode

Ready reckoner to manage heat-related distress:

If you feel unwell, seek medical aid at your nearest hospital. Avoid stepping out in the afternoon, prefer wearing loose cotton clothes (preferably in lighter colours).
After you return home, have a cold refreshing drink – like lemonade, buttermilk, coconut water or just plain water.

After the heat-related distress has passed:

Continue to drink plenty of fluids so your body can get back in balance. Eat fruits and veggies as a healthy diet. Take time to rest and recover as coping with extremely hot weather can be very tiring and visit your doctor if you feel unwell after the episode.

Lastly, animals feel the heat too, keeping a small bowl of water in your society premises, or on the footpath and regularly refilling it will help them too.