Heat Related Illness
February 10, 2009
Summer is here and you must be making loads of plans to enjoy this season. This season is not about staying at home but going outdoors and having fun, getting tanned, going for summer camps and what not. But remember, if you are not careful, then this fun season can also make you sick. Then all the fun will be gone.
Our body is a complex mechanism. It maintains a particular temperature and is also capable of keeping itself cool. The body keeps itself cool by the help of sweat, and it also lets the heat get out of the system through skin.
To stay fit and fine, it is very important that the body temperature remains normal – not too hot, not too cold. If there is an imbalance in the temperature then you might suffer from severe heat related diseases.
There are different forms of heat related illness. Heat stroke is one problem that occurs if the body fails to cool itself. Usually in this case there is less sweating and the body temperature does not decrease. Due to heat stroke one might feel weak and dizzy.
At the same time one might have fast heart beat, headache and the body can become dehydrated. Other results of heat stroke are vomiting, increase in body temperature (the temperature might go up to 105°F) and a weak but rapid pulse.
Another heat related problem is heat cramps. They usually occur in the muscles and it is very painful. If you are having a heat cramp during any activity, stop the activity immediately. Drink a bit of cool water or any other sport drink. After that stretch and massage the injured muscle.
A common heat related skin problem is sun burn that occurs due to excess exposure to the sun. This is a serious problem ad this can even lead to skin cancer. The symptoms are rash, skin irritation and redness.
Summer will come and go, there is nothing that can be done to avoid this season. But you can prevent heat related illness and stay fine even in summer.
It is better that you stay indoors as much as you can.
When you go out, wear loose, light colored clothes.
Avoid wearing synthetic materials, this is the time for cotton.
Drink lots of water so that your body does not get dehydrated.
Do not go for rich food.
Follow all these simple rules and stay fit and fine in summer.
Comments
Got something to say? Join the conversation and leave a comment below.
and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!