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Beating the heat is the name of the game
Photo: K.R. Deepak
Kids beating the heat with the aid of an umbrella
Come May, and the summer starts sizzling. Almost all the States in India, except for a few in the Himalayan region, experience severe heat waves during this month that leave the skin and the soil parched, only to be cooled, hopefully, by the forthcoming monsoon showers.
Vizagites, of late, seem to be facing a critical problem in this context. A few sparkling drops from heaven have become a rare sight and the people appear to have forgotten the sweet fragrance that rends the air before the onset of a monsoon. Time and again, the sky above the city pregnant with dark clouds, and before its residents prepare to welcome the downpour in true `Lagaan' style, their hopes get aborted, along with the clouds beyond the horizon.
Every such happening leaves the city sweating and swearing at the sweltering heat. The biggest question that crops up in everybody's mind is how to beat the heat, especially when the Rain God has not shown any favour. Summer is vacation time and the children look forward to have some fun. But the summer in Vizag is also accompanied by an environmental hazard - the heat. A little precaution, following a few dos and don'ts, one can enjoy the summer in style, young or old.
Rajni Mukherjee, in an exclusive discussion with Metro Plus, has suggested a few tips to beat the summer heat.
"Basically, exposure to environmental heat (especially when it exceeds 30 degrees Celsius) without adequate preventive measures can lead to many complications like, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat strokes. Such illness can really play the spoilsport for all the summer plans that one sketches over the past few months. Children, old and sick people are more prone to such preventable illness," she says.
Symptoms:
Both heat exhaustion and heat stroke result from long exposure to high environmental temperature and continued sweating, leads to rapid depletion of body fluids and salts. The common symptoms of heat exhaustion are: fatigue, nagging headache, nausea, bouts of vomiting, diarrhoea and muscular cramps. A heat stroke patient would have the same symptoms with the addition of temperature that can rise up to 104 degree Fahrenheit.
Heat related ailment, if not prevented at the right moment, could at times lead to critical problems like acute tubular necrosis, severe digestive problems and can even send one to a state of coma.
Work and play schedule during this period:
Adults should avoid strenuous work between 11a.m. and 3 p.m. Children should stick to indoor games, especially those that do not require much of running around. A game of chess or carom board would be ideal.
Lot many people think that swimming is the best way to cool off. Water does cool, but only externally. Swimming leads to exhaustion and loss of body water and salts. One should ensure, be it an adult or a child, to drink a lot of water with electrolyte compound before and after the swimming session. It is always better to slow down one's daily schedule rather than get dried out quickly during this season. Children should take more rest during the vacation; even adults should slightly increase their sleeping hours.
Diet:
The onset of summer calls for a freak out with lots of small eats and chilling juices and creams. This diet factor can be basically divided into three segments: water, fluids and basic main course. Water is called the balm of life. It transfers out the heat from the body through perspiration and thereby keeps the body cooler. In case of children the intake of water in this season should be around two to three litres and for adults it should be over five litres.
Regular intake of fluids is also necessary simultaneously to balance the vital composition of sodium and potassium in the body. Coconut water, citrus juice, banana juice, buttermilk, watermelon juice and ample quantity of lemonades with mint and added salt and sugar can do miracles to cool the body internally.
As for the main course, it is always better to take light and easily digestible food in small quantities but more frequently, instead of big meals once or twice a day. Fresh vegetables, especially the ones that have the water bearing capacity like bottle gourd and pumpkin could be the ideal ingredient for curries. Fruits with green salads and sprouts can top the dinner table. Avoid non-vegetarian food especially red meat and spicy food when the temperature is on the rise.
Clothes:
It is time for colourful prints and cool dressing. Avoid using synthetic and layered clothes. Cotton and natural fabric based clothes preferably in light colours would be the ideal summer-wear. Loose and airy clothes would give one the desired relief from constant sweating. Children and old people should invariably protect their head from direct exposure to the heat by sporting a cap or hat.
Skin care and ambient temperature:
In summer the skin is the most vulnerable part of the body that gets exposed to all sorts of rays. One should take bath at least two or three times to reduce the external heat and to soothe the skin that gets exposed to ultra violet rays. Lavish use of UV screen lotion and powder (talcum or prickly heat) would nourish the skin. Avoid using prickly heat powder on children below two years of age.
For those who do not have an air-conditioner to reduce the ambient temperature, can use khas-khas mats (vottivella chapalu), thick curtains or hang wet bedsheets on the windows and doors to reduce the flow of heat. Infants may be placed under a mosquito net with a wet cloth cover be placed under the fan to give a cooling effect.
What is to be done if one is affected?
Administer lots of fluids and water preferably with electrolyte compound and rush to the nearest doctor.
Home made coolant
Here is a homemade cooling recipe that may be taken a couple of times in a day. This `Khatta Meeta' (sour and sweet) drink could taste wonderful if served chilled and has all the potentials to beat the heat. It is called the `Panna'.
Recipe:
Grind raw mango pulp to paste and add sugar and salt to taste.
Add a few mint leaves and crushed roasted jeera to the paste and preserve.
Take two spoonfuls of this paste and stir well in a glass of cold water by adding a few crumbs of rock salt and drink.
SUMIT BHATTACHARJEE
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