Summer has arrived and the mercury has started rising. In the coming days, heat wave will hit many parts of the country, increasing the risk of health risks like heatstroke and dangerous increase in blood pressure and other such conditions. Every year many people lose their lives due to extreme heat in India. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures, not drinking enough water and reduced ability of our vital organs to deal with extreme heat, can prove fatal. Not only India, but many parts of the world are facing heat wave conditions due to the ongoing climate crisis. If immediate action is not taken to rehydrate, excess water loss and overheating can cause serious problems. (Also Read: 10 Hydrating Fruits To Beat Heatwave And Stay Healthy)
Exposure to excess heat can cause many health problems including increased blood sugar levels, blood pressure, poor birth outcomes in pregnant women and mental health.
Dr. Tushar Tayal, Consultant-Internal Medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, in an interview with HT Digital, explained how high temperatures can affect the body and mind and can even cause death in extreme situations.
How can heat cause fatal diseases?
1. It may increase blood sugar levels
Heatwave can be troublesome for all age groups, but it can prove especially fatal for the elderly or those with chronic diseases who are taking medications that can alter the body’s heat regulation mechanisms. People suffering from diabetes may find it difficult to control their blood sugar levels in these weather conditions.
“Recently temperatures have increased and this heat wave is especially harmful for the elderly. Older people generally suffer from chronic diseases and are on prescription medications that reduce the body’s response to heat. Can change. Diabetics need to be especially careful because “high heat can negatively affect sugar levels,” says Dr. Tayal.
2. It may increase blood pressure
Dehydration is another health problem that can arise due to rapid loss of water in the body due to sweating and low water intake. In such situations, we may experience a surge in our stress hormones causing an increase in blood pressure.
“High environmental temperatures cause excessive sweating and along with decreased water intake, a person can become dehydrated which causes the blood to become concentrated and sugar to increase. If heat exposure continues, the body produces cortisol and Releases stress hormones like vasopressin which in turn increases blood sugar levels and can cause blood pressure to rise,” says the expert.
3. Low sodium and potassium levels
Two life-threatening conditions caused by heatwaves are hyponatremia or low sodium and hypokalemia or low potassium. Sodium helps regulate fluid balance in the body, and low levels can lead to cellular swelling and brain edema. Potassium is important for maintaining normal heart rhythm and muscle function. Low levels can cause irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), muscle weakness, paralysis and respiratory failure.
Extreme environmental temperatures can also cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalances such as low sodium and potassium which can be life threatening if not corrected immediately.
4. Heart and lung health
Dr. Tayal says, “Hot weather means your body has to work harder to keep your core temperature at a normal level, and this puts extra strain on your heart, lungs and kidneys that can damage the underlying cardiovascular system.” “Could worsen the situation.”
He further added, “If medicines are not stored properly, they may lose their potency due to heat and may become ineffective.”
Lifestyle measures to prevent heat related diseases
Some of the lifestyle measures suggested by Dr. Tayal that should be followed during summers are:
- Drink at least 1.5-2 liters of water or fluids every day.
- Monitor your glucose levels regularly
- Reduce alcohol intake as it can cause dehydration and increase blood sugar
- Avoid too many cups of tea and coffee as they increase water loss in the body.
- Reduce your intake of added sugars and processed foods.
- Exercise during cooler, less humid times of the day.
Some of the foods that people can include in their diet during summers are coconut water, buttermilk and fresh lemon water, two servings of seasonal fruits daily like watermelon, papaya and mango and citrus fruits, curd and curd, green leafy vegetables and fruits. Juice of. , Cucumber, lettuce and tomato.
