What is Heat exhaustion or Hyperthermia?

 It is the excessive loss of body fluids and salt, combined with a sharp rise in body temperature (up-to 103 degree Fahrenheit). It is a temporary condition.

Symptoms of Heat exhaustion

Darkened urine, muscle cramps, headache, pale moist clammy skin, profuse sweating, weakness and fatigue, dizziness, intense thirst and nausea and vomiting.

Causes of Heat exhaustion

1. In hot climate, human body cools itself by perspiration and the evaporation of perspiration. With increase in relative humidity, evaporation completely stops.
2. Accumulation of sweat on the skin makes the skin hot and dry, and body temperature rises.
3. In dry climates also sweat can evaporate rapidly and you may loose tremendous amount of fluid and to add to this, if you exercise, your body will not be able to produce enough sweat to cool it.

Home Remedies for Heat exhaustion

1. Once you feel overheated, stop whatever you are doing, or else you may end up with a heat stroke.
2. Lie down in a cool place and elevate your feet slightly, so that more blood flows to the brain.
3. Take a shower or tepid bath to cool your-self.
4. Your body temperature can be lowered, by using a fan or an Air conditioner.
5. Drink plenty of fluids especially water to replace fluids that you have sweated.

Prevent Heat exhaustion or Hyperthermia

1. Replace fluids regularly, when you swim or exercise in the cold as you do in the heat.
2. In hot weather, weigh yourself every morning after going to the bathroom. If your body weight is 2 pounds less then the previous day, means you are dehydrated.
3. Salt tablets can lead to quick dehydration, so avoid it.
4. Consider indoor activities, probably in the early mornings or late evenings.
5. Wear loose fitting, light clothes in hot weather, which allows evaporation of perspiration.
6. Avoid skipping meals.
7. Alcoholic and caffeine beverages act as diuretic and cause excessive water loss.
8. If you are supposed to perform strenuous work when temperature and humidity are high, slowly acclimate your-self to the weather.
9. Drink fluids even if you are not thirsty, to hydrate yourself.