As June approaches its end, heat waves are being felt throughout the country. Scanty rainfall has added to the human plight increasing humidity mostly in northern India! While we all struggle past this scorching heat, instances have come where people are suffering heat strokes in significant numbers, especially in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. With a rising number of patients in the hospital suffering the damages of the heat, Zyephr brings to you a list of things that you can do to prevent yourself from the sun, and avoid being one of those people! But first, let us look at what a heat wave is!
What is a heat wave?
Heat waves can be easily understood as a time duration when the temperatures are unusually high, more than the normal maximum temperature that occurs during the summers! Extreme conditions adversely affect the people living in the regions as they can cause physiological stress, leading to death even!
Constant temperatures above 40°C for plains and above 30°C for mountains are characteristic of a heat wave. The heat has many health impacts, for instance:
The rise in temperature compromises the human body’s ability to regulate temperature and can result in many illnesses. Some like, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and hyperthermia! In certain cases, hospitalizations or deaths may occur rapidly, while in others, there can be a lagged effect! Temperature extremes can also make already existing chronic conditions worse! The other indirect health effects of heat include, altered human behavior, disease transmissions, health service delivery, air quality, and an impact on social infrastructure.
Prevention against Heat waves
The best possible prevention against heat waves is, avoiding going into the sun! The following measures can be taken if an advisory is issued for heat waves in the region you live:
- Going out in the sun must be completely avoided, especially between- 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
- Drinking as much water as possible, even if not thirsty.
- Wearing clothes that are lightweight, light-color, loose, and porous (preferably cotton). Protective accessories like goggles, umbrellas/hats, etc. should also be worn while going into the sun!
- Strenuous exercises are to be avoided when the outside temperature is very high.
- If traveling, carry sufficient water with you.
- Avoiding tea, coffee, alcohol, and carbonated soft drinks, which dehydrate the body.
- Avoiding high-protein foods and not eating stale ones.
- When working outside, use a damp cloth on the head, and neck. Face and limbs should be covered if possible!
- Using ORS, or homemade drinks like lassi, lemon water, etc. in order to rehydrate the body!
- Keep the home cool by using curtains, shutters, or sunshades and open windows at night!
- Taking regular baths with cold water and consulting a doctor when feeling uneasy can also be very helpful!
How to treat someone affected by sunstroke?
Now, we already know how we can protect ourselves from sunstroke or heat waves. But, what if we fail at protecting, or there is someone who needs immediate medical assistance because they are under a sunstroke? There are many ways to attend to such a person. Some of the tips for the treatment of a person affected by sunstroke include:
- Lay the person in a shade or a cool place. Wipe them with a wet cloth. You can also pour normal-temperature water on the head. Do anything to bring down the body temperature.
- Give the person a rehydration solution like ORS, limewater, or any sharbat.
- Take the person to the nearest health center or hospital. The person should be immediately hospitalized as heatstrokes can even be lethal.
Taking a few precautions can save your life as well as your loved ones. For remaining regularly hydrated, log in to the Zyephr app and get customized water intake reminders. Explore other features on the app as well!
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