SUMMER SPECIAL ....................... Too hot to handle

Too hot to handle





As temperatures soar, we bust some mercury myths to fortify you against heat hassles

Summer is here. For Mumbai, this means gearing up for war against the unforgiving heat. While city folk have a reverse, yet equally obsessive, stance as the countrymen in a Game of Thrones episode when it comes to their concern over changing weather conditions, are we well-informed?
Keep your cool, we're here to help. Heat-related illnesses like heat stroke, rashes and dehydration occur when the body can't keep itself cool. The body is equipped to keep itself at an optimum temperature against changing conditions.Sweating, though it might put you in a social hot seat, is the body's natural mechanism to cool itself. As sweat evaporates from the skin, it lowers body temperature. But on hot, humid days moisture in the air keeps sweat from evaporating fast enough. When this happens, body temperature can rise and you may start to feel sick.

Muscle cramps, nausea, rapid breathing, rashes and hot skin are all symptoms that your body is having a tough time maintaining the equilibrium. Before you look to old wives' tales to fix your internal thermostat, wait. We played true or false with doctors so you aren't chasing wild myths.

MYTH: EATING RIPE MANGOES WILL CAUSE HEAT BOILS

False

According to Dr Bina Chheda, medical nutrition therapist at Cumballa Hill Hospital and Heart Institute, “No fruit or food, not even mangoes, can cause extra heat in the body. There is no scientific evidence to back it. The boils depend on an individual's constitution and environment.“

So don't go making accusatory statements against the king of fruits lest you be banished for treason.

When well-wishers advise you to eat more cucumber and watermelon, fruits that are high in water content, know that it is an adjunct solution. It is a good idea to increase your intake of water. Sip on water or nibble on iceberg lettuce, celery and radish that are high in water content.

MYTH: BAKING SODA IN BATHWATER HELPS RELIEVE HEAT RASH

True

Cosmetic dermatologist Dr Apratim Goel, says baking soda can remedy prickly heat by helping relieve itching. It works as an exfoliating agent by removing dead skin, dirt and other impurities. This relieves the itching and inflamma tion associated with prickly heat.Oatmeal is another popular treatment due to its anti-irritating, antiinflammatory and soothing properties. It will offer a soothing effect on the skin and instant relief from inflammation and itching.

MYTH: EATING SPICY FOOD WILL HELP COOL YOU DOWN

False

Spicy food doesn't lower your body temperature, but green chillies can help indirectly. Chillies are known to increase metabolic rate, which produces heat in the body. As a result, you are more likely to drink water after consuming a meal with chillies that leaves you sweating. But here, it's the water that is doing the work, not the chillies.

MYTH: IF I'M STILL URINATING SWEATING, I DON'T HAVE A HEAT STROKE

False

It's a common misconception that heat exhaustion and heat stroke are only serious when the kidneys stop producing urine. Waiting for that to happen can be a mistake.Instead, be on the lookout for the early warning signs -dizziness, exhaustion, confusion, lack of appetite, headache, and, of course, excessive thirst. “Since there is a thermal imbalance in the body in case of heat stroke, just urinating or sweating won't necessarily prevent heat stroke.Heat stroke is caused when the internal temperature of the body reaches dangerous level and can cause severe damage or even death,“ says Goel.

MYTH: FAN, NOT AC, IS THE BEST WAY TO STAVE OFF HEAT STROKE

False

During a heat wave, fans alone won't provide enough cool air, especially for older adults and young children, whose thermo-regulation systems don't work as well in extreme temperatures. They need extra attention, and staying in an air-conditioned facility is safest. “Fans are not necessarily the best way to waive off heat stroke. In fact, AC is conditioned and temperature controlled air, so it is more soothing. However, the only drawback of the AC is that prolonged exposure or very cold temperature can cause skin to dry. Maintain the AC temperature at 22-24 degrees and humidify the room,“ says Goel.

MYTH: RAIN CURES PRICKLY HEAT

True

“Rain water may cause temporary soothing action for the patient. When a person has prickly heat, the sweat ducts get blocked. A good exfoliation followed by a cold shower and water based moisturiser is better,“ explains Goel. A cool shower would also do well to relieve the discomfort.

MYTH: SPORTS DRINKS BEAT THE HEAT

True

Sports drinks will give you the same water and electrolytes that aam panna and nimbu pani will. Except it comes with a price mark-up, says Chheda. It is a good idea to sip on fennel seeds soaked in water or cumin seeds boiled in water through the day. Make popsicles to entice yourself. Or soak mint leaves in soak mint leaves in water to add flavour and encourage you to continue sipping periodically.

Keeping your body hydrated is even more important in the summer as you will lose more water through sweat. Chheda's advice is to keep an eye on the colour of your urine. It should be pale yellow to water colour. If it gets darker, it is a sign that your body needs more water. The medi cally prescribed water requirement is 35 to 50 ml per kg body weight.The right amount of water you need to consume also depends on your muscle mass and the environment where you spend most of your day. If you have a fever or infection, your water require ment increases.

But do not overdo it. Over hydration or water intoxication is a real danger. It can throw the balance of water and sodium in the body off, causing vomiting, pain and fluctuating blood pressure.

Yolande D'Mello MM 26FEB15