The summer vacation for educational institutions has begun and it’s season for visiting tourists destinations, relatives and leisure tours. But, the scorching heat plays spoilsport with people becoming vulnerable to dehydration and heat-induced ailments.
So, people must take precautionary measures to stay healthy and enjoy the vacation to the fullest, doctors say.
“People consume a lot of water, buttermilk, tender coconut water and other fluids to prevent dehydration. And highly concentrated soft drinks should be avoided,” says P. Venugopal, Head of the Department of Paediatrics, Andhra Medical College (AMC).
Avoid stale food
The doctors also advise to choose the food and clothes wisely. “White or light-coloured clothes go well with summer. Avoid eating out as the food gets spoilt fast. Eating unhygienic and stale food may lead to diarrhoea and loss of body fluids. In view of the long fishing lay-off, observed during summer to conserve precious fish resources, frozen seafood is used by hoteliers. But, consumption of such food may cause diarrhoea if the quality is not ensured,” he says.
Observing that many people tend to go to religious places in summer and get their heads tonsured, he says the hair absorbs the heat and prevents the scalp from getting affected. “One should avoid getting tonsured in summer,” says Dr. Venugopal.
Traditional herbal drinks such as ‘Sugandhi’ and ‘Maaredu’do wonders when it comes to beating the heat. “Sugandhi juice helps purify blood and acts as a cooling agent and helps in the immediate recovery from sunstroke. Maaredu also helps prevent dehydration, apart from being an excellent treatment of amoebiasis. Though it leaves a slight bitter after-taste in the mouth it can be negated by adding sugar and lime juice,” says J. Kumari of Sri Sambasiva Ayurvedic Centre near Kurupam Market.
Maaredu also prevents dysentery and acts as an immunity booster. Sugandhi and Maaredu powder, without adding sugar, can also be used by diabetics,” she says.
These traditional drinks are sold on make-shift vends at rythu bazaars and city junctions in the city.
Seasonal fruits, especially those high in water content, are also good for health.
B. Madhu Gopal
