Heat stroke signs and prevention; do traditional remedies really work?

Heat stroke is common during summer, especially in tropical countries like India where temperature skyrockets in the month of April and May. It can be easily treated if you track the signs very fast and early.

Here are things you must know this summer:

Signs of heat stroke

Headache or flushed skin is the most common sign of heat stroke. Apart from that profuse sweating, rapid racing of the heart, nausea, vomiting, and changes in behaviour or mental state is also a few initial signs of heat stroke. However, if a few of these symptoms are accompanied by a high temperature near 104 F then you must seek immediate medical attention.

Many times gastro, dehydration, or dysentery is also caused due to heat stroke and should not be taken lightly.

Preventing heat stroke

The best way to prevent heat stroke is by maintaining your body temperature. Make sure that you wear loose clothes so that there are no irritation and rashes on the skin due to excessive sweating. Staying away from direct sunlight from 11 to 4 pm is advisable so that you do not have to face the harmful effects of the harsh rays of the sun.

Keeping yourself hydrated all through the day by drinking an adequate amount of water, juices , and healthy drinks ensures that your body does not face problems caused due to heat. Avoid parking the car under direct sunlight during the daytime because it can affect your health. Make sure that you use sunscreen with high SPF before leaving your home.

Do traditional remedies work for heat stroke?

Traditionally eating onion salad, applying onion juice on heat and feet, or eating raw mango with cumin powder and salt is considered effective in treating heat stroke. But is this true? According to Mumbai’s Dr. Santosh Pandey use of these traditional remedies lead to the production of electrolytes in the body. Onion is rich in sulphur which regulates cholesterol levels and breaks down blood clots thereby preventing heat stroke.

He however has advised that even though these traditional remedies can provide some relief from heat stroke by cooling down the body it is not backed by any scientific study and hence a complete dependency on these remedies for treating heat stroke should be avoided.

Disclaimer: This piece of article is for basic information purposes only. It's always advisable to consult a doctor for any type of health issue.