Surviving the Summer: Tips and Tricks for Beating the Heat

Temperatures are rising across most of India, with people in Maharashtra struggling under scorching conditions. At a recent event at an open ground in Navi Mumbai, temperatures hit 37° Celsius, leading to over 50 people getting hospitalised for heatstroke and over ten fatalities. Over the next few days, parts of eastern India will have to deal with heatwave conditions, which could lead to more people suffering. Let’s learn how to protect ourselves and our loved ones through the summer.

Once it gets hot, we start drinking more water to stay hydrated. Unfortunately, a few habits could be doing more harm than good. Drinking chilled water from the fridge lowers your overall body temperature, which could make you susceptible to developing infections. Stick to drinking tepid or slightly cool fluids to maintain your body temperature. Along with water, hydrate with fresh fruit juice, buttermilk, or electrolyte drinks. They help replenish the nutrients you lose while sweating. If you’re exercising or out in the sun, drink more water than usual to stay hydrated. Avoid caffeinated drinks as they act as diuretics and drain the water from your body.

Rich, oily and spicy food triggers excessive heat production during digestion, which raises your body temperature. Instead of consuming heavy curries and fried snacks, eat salads and fresh fruits. Watermelon, cucumber and tomatoes all help cool your body. Spices like cumin and fennel also have cooling properties, so try adding them to your meals and fresh juices every day.

Try to stay indoors between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. every day. The harsh heat during these hours can cause heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Limit your outdoor activities to early morning or late evening. If you must be outdoors in the afternoon, apply sunscreen, wear sunglasses, and cover your head. Direct exposure to sunlight can lead to headaches, dizziness and nausea.

Your clothes can impact your body during the summer. Since black absorbs heat, wear lighter clothes to stay cool throughout the day. Swap fitted ensembles for loose clothes that allow your body to breathe. Avoid synthetic materials and choose natural fibres like cotton that absorb sweat quickly and keep your body cool.

Despite taking precautions, you may still suffer from heat exhaustion or heatstroke. Let’s better understand the two conditions.

When your body loses excess water and salts, you develop heat exhaustion. Anybody who spends significant time in high temperatures can get heat exhaustion.

Heat exhaustion symptoms include:

• Tiredness
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Excessive sweating
• Arm, leg and stomach cramps
• Rapid breathing or high pulse
• Weakness

If you are struggling with heat exhaustion, you should try and cool down with these easy steps:

• Move to a cooler place

Find a cool room or a shaded area to rest.

• Remove unnecessary layers

Remove all unnecessary layers, such as socks or an outer shirt, to help your body cool down quickly.

• Rehydrate

Drink cool water or a sports drink to replenish lost fluids and nutrients.

• Cool your skin

Splash cool water on your face or use a mist spray to cool your skin. You can also wrap ice packs in cloth and place them under your armpits.

After about 30 minutes, you should start to feel better.

Heatstroke occurs when your body loses its ability to sweat and regulate body temperature. During a heatstroke, your temperature can rise to 106°F or 41°C in just 15 minutes. If not treated quickly, it can lead to severe consequences.

Symptoms of heatstroke include:

• Very high body temperature
• Flushed skin and no sweat
• Racing heartbeat
• Fast breathing
• Lack of coordination and confusion
• Loss of consciousness
• A seizure or fit

If you or somebody around you gets a heatstroke, call for an ambulance or rush to the nearest hospital.

Heatstroke doesn’t just drain your body. It also drains your finances. An emergency trip to the hospital could leave a significant dent in your savings. A health insurance policy takes care of your medical bills, leaving you free to focus on your health and getting better. You can purchase a family floater policy to protect all your loved ones under a single plan.

India’s expecting a harsh summer, and temperatures will continue to rise over the next month. Keep these tips in mind to protect yourself and treat heat exhaustion quickly. Ignoring the symptoms of heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke and fatal consequences. Ensure you purchase a health policy to enjoy peace of mind and get through the summer without worrying about the cost of a hospital stay. Visit the Zuno website today and purchase a health plan that meets your needs.

ARN: Zuno/Blog/0423/06