Sunstroke is the most debilitating disorder one can get into in hot summers.
It is the sole reason for the deaths of people due to the hot environment in summer around the world.
Sunstroke is very severe these days due to sudden changes in climate and also excess heat in summer.
Sunstroke is a state where the temperature-regulating center in the brain is out of order. It has lost its fine balance to control the temperature at the set point and so it doesn’t prevent the body from getting overheated.
Since the body has food materials in a continuous metabolism phase, the temperature rises uncontrolled. This rise in temperature is said to be very detrimental to the patient suffering from sunstroke.
Symptoms of sunstroke:
1. Uneasy feeling.
2. Raise body temperature.
3. Weakness
4. No sweating in spite of hot weather.
5. Frequent urination at night in between sleep.
The dangerous effects of sunstroke are:
a) Rise in body temperature, making other body organs, including the brain, dysfunctional.
b) Brain and kidney damage.
c) Intense weakness
d) Lack of thirst, sweating, and other body control by the brain.
How to get relief of symptoms and regain strength:
1. Cool the body by using a wet cloth or by lying in a water tub.
2. Drink sufficient water with glucose or sugar to gain strength and energy.
3. Eating is recommended to gain strength, but once you eat, body temperature rises due to metabolic heat generated due to food.
4. Use less clothing and stay indoors with a cooler.
5. Avoid direct exposure to sunlight, even during morning hours. In case one needs to go, he or she has to use a white cloth wrapped around the head and face, leaving only eyes open. White cloth reflects back the sunlight and saves from exposure. Do not use red cloth instead, as it can increase the chance of heat stroke.
6. Stay stress-free. Just relax, do not watch TV, read books, or even engage in heated talk. Giving relief to the mind is very important.
How to get rid of sunstroke:
1. Once you are affected by sunstroke, taking water and electrolytes will replenish the fluids in the body and help you regain some strength.
2. Taking antipyretics won’t help you normalize the body temperature. Instead, sitting directly below a cooler to relieve temperature could work.
3. Drinking unripe mango juice obtained after boiling them is the best medication to overcome sunstroke.
4. Stay indoors for a few days till all the symptoms vanish.
How to prevent sunstroke.
1. Wear a white cloth on your head if on a bike or walking in the open sun. This helps prevent the sun’s rays and its heat from falling directly on your head. Also, you can use an umbrella.
2. Drinking a mixture of water and roasted chickpea flour and sugar when consumed before going into the hot summer is very advantageous. It is a natural coolant and also a protein powder that adds to muscle strength.
3. Drink a glass of water with a pinch of salt before going into the sun. Also, have a bottle of water with you.
4. Application of coconut oil to the scalp. This is a daily grooming habit of people in some parts of the world. But it is said to be done to keep the head cool even during summer. So, it is advisable to use coconut oil for the scalp to prevent heating and sunstroke.
Few Facts about Sunstroke
1. sunstroke treatment with paracetamol: Paracetamol is an antipyretic, i.e., it reduces febrile temperatures. But in sunstroke, the temperature does not go down on administration of paracetamol. Instead, it may cause vomiting by being an irritant to the vomiting center.
2. Effect on kidneys: Sunstroke is one of the few disorders that damages nephrons in the kidneys. So once you have sunstroke, check if you urinate often at night. This may be indicative of damage to nephrons.
3. How long it lasts: It may be 5 days to a week at maximum cases. But for some, this may last for more than 10 days. In that case, you can suspect another debilitating disease. This can even be tuberculosis.
However, consult a physician immediately if you feel very weak and unable to sustain.