Heat Related Illnesses: Heat Stroke, Exhaustion and Dehydration

Summer Season: How To Beat The Heat

In India, all the schools are closed for two months, during the Summer vacations. The summer season is harsh in India and it becomes necessary to do so, in order to prevent the children, from heat related illnesses.

Children, and the elderly are quite vulnerable, to the intense Summer heat. As such, the more time, they stay indoors, during this hot season, the better it is for their health.

As the mercury soars high each day, in the hot Summer season, adequate steps must be taken, in order to prepare for heat related emergencies.

Dehydration, heat cramps, exhaustion due to heat, heat stroke, excessive sweating, are some of the health related issues, for which we must be properly equipped, with special attention to the children and the elderly..

10 Useful tips to protect yourself from heat related issues

There are many easy and simple home solutions to beat the heat. The only important thing, is to plan beforehand. But in spite of all the protection, if one does get affected by the intense heat, then one should not delay in getting medical help.

1. Drink cool, non alcoholic beverages. Alcoholic and caffeinated beverages, will leave you dehydrated. Therefore, it’s advisable to avoid this.
2. Drinking plain water instead, will keep you hydrated. Even if you are not thirsty, you must drink water throughout the day.
3. A glass of lime water, with a pinch of salt, and a teaspoonful of sugar, is the best remedy, if you are feeling dehydrated. This can also be called as the first aid, if the person has been affected by heat stroke.
4. Avoid going out in the Sun, during peak hours, that is from 11:00 in the morning, till 4:00 in the evening, unless it is very urgent.
5. If is necessary to step out, it’s advisable to drink plenty of water, and also carry water bottle, or lemonade with you.
6. More of fluids, and less of oily, spicy and heavy foods, should be the mantra, for the hot season.
7. Try having foods, which have high water content, such as Watermelon, Muskmelon, Cucumber, Coconut water, Pineapple and other fruits and vegetables, which have plenty of water content.
8. Prefer wearing, loose, light weight, light coloured, preferably cotton clothes.
9. Wear Sunglasses to protect eyes, hats and umbrella, when stepping out.
10. Use Sun screens, for the face and the hands.

Common heat related illnesses, symptoms and their home remedies

• Heat Cramps

Heat cramps may occur, if there is excessive physical exertion in the summer heat. This may result in electrolyte imbalance, in our body.

The cramps are generally felt in the calf muscles, the abdomen, and sometimes in the thighs and foot too. Drinking plenty of water or fluids really helps to bring relief from these symptoms.

• Heat exhaustion

This can be caused, due to excessive water or fluid loss. Sweating leads to the loss of salt, and important minerals from our body. This may lead to lowering of the blood pressure, rapid pulse rate, headaches etc.

Again fluids and plenty of it, is the remedy, and moving to a cooler room, and taking rest helps to relieve this condition.

• Heat stroke

This is a serious condition, and requires immediate medical attention. It’s advisable, not to just try home remedies, if the heat stroke has already happened, and the affected person must be hospitalized.

The symptoms can be clearly identified with fever, redness on the face and the skin, hot and dry skin, with no perspiration, and high pulse rate.

Scroll to Continue

I Was Able To Dump My Previous Trash Collection Service

Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

Why I wish now I paid more attention in music classes

Home remedies or the Grandma’s tips, for minor heat related illnesses

There are some simple home remedies, straight from your kitchen, to protect the heat related emergencies.

Even if you do not suffer from heat stroke, having these regularly, during the summer season, will protect you from getting a heat stroke.

• Mix one teaspoonful of, roasted and powdered black gram, in a glass of water, with a pinch of salt. This is very effective, if taken prior to stepping out in the Sun.
• Roast a raw mango, or you may also boil it. Take out the pulp, and mix it with a glass of plain water, a teaspoonful of sugar, and a pinch of salt. You may also add roasted cumin seed powder, and black salt for flavour. Mix everything thoroughly, preferably in a mixer, and drink twice a day.
• A glass of water, with juice of a lemon, a teaspoonful of sugar, and a pinch of salt, can be taken, three to four times a day, to prevent any heat related health issues.
• Eating raw onions, during the summer season, prevents heat strokes.
• Keep yourself hydrated, by taking lot of fluids. Eat those fruits and vegetables, which have a high quantity of water. Examples are, cucumber, water melon, musk melon, lime, pomegranate, oranges, green or yellow pumpkin, sugarcane juice etc.

Summer is an enjoyable season, but care must be taken to avoid excessive heat and heat related illnesses.

Home remedies for heat stroke, source: You tube

What a cool video to watch especially in Summer season: you tube

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2014 Chitrangada Sharan

Can you suggest some more home remedies to protect from Heat stroke? Please share in the comments section.

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on June 12, 2018:

Thank You Cynthia, for your kind visit and comments!

I am really happy that you read this article, when you needed it the most. Hope the suggestions were helpful to you, and you are absolutely fine by now.

Thanks and take care!

Cynthia Zirkwitz from Vancouver Island, Canada on June 11, 2018:

Chitrangada Sharan, you've given me some delicious sounding ideas for dealing with the hot weather that hits here in the summer. Believe it or not, I believe I already a little 'heat illness' while visiting our son in Edmonton in May-- it was an unexpectedly hot day and we went for a long 'history walk' in the city-- very enjoyable, but I think I must have gotten dehydrated because I felt ill (including dizzy and nauseous) for several days following that. I also felt very weak. I do not want to experience that again and will abide by your suggestions above in this "Climate Change" world we live in (by the way, Edmonton had SNOW last week only a few weeks after that unseasonable hot spell).

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on June 04, 2018:

Thanks Peg, for stopping by, and your positive comments!

We are also going through extreme heat wave in India, these days. Lot of precautions have to be taken, when going out is unavoidable.

I am happy to learn that these tips are helpful to you.

Thank You so much for reading!

Peg Cole from North Dallas, Texas on June 03, 2018:

Thanks for sharing this important information on the dangers of dehydration and heat stroke. I loved the recipes you provided and the list of things to avoid. Here in Texas we have many days where the temperature goes above 100 degrees. Staying indoors and keeping hydrated is truly the best advice.

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on July 22, 2016:

Thank you Nithya, for reading and commenting on this hub!

I am glad you found it useful and appreciate your visit to this hub.

Nithya Venkat from Dubai on July 21, 2016:

Great home remedies to protect the kids and elderly from heat stroke and dehydration, thank you for sharing. Many people underestimate the heat from the sun.

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on May 30, 2015:

Thank you Thelma Alberts, for revisiting this hub!

Glad you found this useful and shared it too. Thank you!

Thelma Alberts from Germany on May 29, 2015:

I thought I have not read this yet but I saw in the comment, I have. Thanks for reminding me again. Voted this up and shared in fb,

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on July 05, 2014:

Thank you tobusiness, for your kind visit and positive feedback!

Glad you liked the information. This time of the year, we have to take many precautions to prevent heat stroke and dehydration here. I am pleased to know that this information is useful to you.

Thank you for appreciation!

Jo Alexis-Hagues from Lincolnshire, U.K on July 04, 2014:

Timely and very useful information, dehydration can be a real problem at this time of the year, especially for young children and older people, but really we all need to remind ourselves to make more of an effort. Great hub!

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on July 03, 2014:

Thank you ARUN KANTIji, for your kind visit and comments!

Glad you liked this hub. I checked out your hub and its wonderful piece of writing.

Thank you!

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on July 03, 2014:

Thank you Kathleen Odenthal, for stopping by!

Keeping your self hydrated during extreme heat is very essential. I am glad that this article is helpful to you.

Thanks for your positive feedback!

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on July 03, 2014:

Thank you Peggy W, for visiting this hub and commenting!

I am so happy that you found this useful.

Thanks for the votes, share and tweet!

ARUN KANTI CHATTERJEE from KOLKATA on July 03, 2014:

Chintrangada- your hub has reminded me of my days at one of the hottest areas in West Bengal. Raw mangoes are easily available there during summer months and my addiction became so much that I could not but build up a story The Parting Gift on my favourite fruit. Thank you very much for the well written useful hub.

Kathleen Odenthal from Bridgewater on July 03, 2014:

This is SUCH an important topic! I am about to go to the Grand Canyon for the second time and am someone who struggles with dehydration due to the heat due to my extreme Irishness and fair, fair skin. The first time I went I almost passed out several times because I didn't drink enough water, but now I am much smarter and have already purchased several water bottles to keep with me while I walk in the high tempartures! Great hub!

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on July 03, 2014:

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are a real concern in the hot and humid summer months in Houston. Very good advice to always stay well hydrated and avoid the hottest hours of the day if possible. Giving this a tweet and share on HP in addition to up votes.

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on June 07, 2014:

Thank you sangre, for your kind visit and comments!

If you travel to this region sometime during this time of the year, this hub will will be helpful to you.

Thanks again!

S.P. Greaney from Ireland on June 07, 2014:

Since I live in a cool climate, not something I have to worry about too much. Still it's extremely useful advice for whenever I go abroad.

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on June 03, 2014:

Thanks Thelma Alberts!

Appreciate your stopping by. Raw mango gives instant relief from Sunstroke. You can boil or roast it with the skin. Later remove the skin and mash the pulp, add water, salt or sugar as per your taste. I give one glass everyday to my family members, who have to go out for work and the Sun is very harsh here these days.

Thanks again for your visit and support!

Thelma Alberts from Germany on June 02, 2014:

Great advice! It´s very hot in the Philippines and I have done most of your advices to keep me cool and hydrated. I did not know about this raw mango. I´ll keep this in mind. Thanks for sharing. Voted up and useful.

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on May 27, 2014:

Thank you aviannovice, for reading this hub and commenting!

Glad you liked this hub!

Deb Hirt from Stillwater, OK on May 27, 2014:

Excellent advice. We are all prone to things like this. If one works in a kitchen or in other hot areas like the out of doors, it is especially important to be vigilant in keeping hydrated.

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on May 25, 2014:

Thanks Sunshine625, for stopping by!

It is quite hot these days here and these fruits provide much relief from heat related illness.

Thanks for appreciating!

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on May 25, 2014:

Thanks teaches12345, for your kind visit and positive comments!

Linda Bilyeu from Orlando, FL on May 24, 2014:

Watermelon and cucumbers are two of my favorite foods to help keep me hydrated. Of course, lots of water too. Excellent hub filled with good reminders.

Dianna Mendez on May 24, 2014:

This is information in time for the summer months. I will share with others who will do well to know how to keep safe in hot weather.

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on May 12, 2014:

Thanks Devika, for reading and commenting!

I am glad you found the topic useful for the hot days.

Thanks!

Devika Primić from Dubrovnik, Croatia on May 12, 2014:

A well advised hub on a topic that often affects many people during the hot days. Heat exhaustion is also a problem as you have mention and one has to stay cool to avoid such experiences.

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on May 08, 2014:

Thanks Imogen French, for reading this hub!

This hub might be useful to you when you visit countries such as India.

Thanks!

Imogen French from Southwest England on May 07, 2014:

Good advice. We don't have that problem very often in England, but it is useful to remember when holidaying abroad. Stay cool :-)

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on May 05, 2014:

Thanks billybuc, for your visit and support!

I am glad you found the information useful. The rising temperatures at our place prompted me to write this hub.

Thanks and have a good day!

Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on May 05, 2014:

Great information. Where I live, we don't have to worry about extreme heat, but these suggestions are very good for those who face a summer of heat.