Heat wave: How your body reacts to it, what you can do!

Zee Media Bureau/Salome Phelamei

New Delhi: With temperature predicted to reach 47 degree Celsius in large parts of north and northwest India in the coming days, it can be uncomfortable and dangerous for you.

In such situations, it is important to know how to stay safe and healthy as heat waves can cause health problems such as sunburn, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and other complications.

How your body reacts

Extreme temperatures - beyond the body's ability to cope - and heat wave can kill by pushing the body beyond its limits. When the body's temperature control system is overloaded for hours, it can lead to other malfunctions - kidney failure, heart failure, brain damage, etc,.

Who is at risk?

While everyone has an increased risk for a heat-related illness during a heat wave, some people are at higher risk - infants and young children, the elderly, obese people, people who take certain medications, pregnant women and breastfeeding moms.

Safety guidelines

Here are some safety tips to keep you happy during extreme heat wave:

• Drink plenty of fluids and water throughout the day even if you don't feel thirsty to keep your body cool.
• Avoid drinks with alcohol and caffeine in them.
• Eat smaller meals and eat often.
• Limit salt intake as it causes the body to retain fluids, resulting in swelling.
• Eat more fruits and vegetables that have high water content.
• Wear loose-fitting, light-coloured clothes.
• Always wear a good sunscreen with SPF 30+ when outdoors.
• Avoid strenuous outdoor activities or try to reschedule to coolest part of part of the day.
• Take a shower or bath just below body temperatures before bedtime (cold showers can make body to generate heat).
• Never leave children, elderly or animals in parked vehicles (even for a short period of time).
• Keep a track on weather forecast to know about the heat wave or heat-related event.