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Home Treatment for Heat Exhaustion

    Wednesday, June 29th, 2011No Commented
    Categorized Under: General Health

    In the previous post, I talked about how you could prevent heat stroke and its terrible effects. While you may try to follow all of the tips and guidelines, spending time out in the harsh summer elements may still cause you to have health problems. This post will explain what you can do to treat heat exhaustion or stroke at home, and when you need to turn to medical help.

    Heat Exhaustion

    Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion
    After working out in the sun and hot weather, you may start to experience some of the unpleasant effects of heat exhaustion. If not noticed and treated quickly, this condition could progress into heat stroke and might even be fatal. The symptoms of heat exhaustion include excessive sweating, fatigue, thirst, racing heartbeat, vomiting, headache, and pale or clammy skin.

    Find a Cool Place
    If you believe that you are suffering from heat exhaustion, it is important that you get out of the heat and into a cool place. If you do not have air conditioning, sit down in front of a fan or in the shade.

    Drink Something
    When you’re faced with heat exhaustion, you may find it tempting to grab a huge glass of ice-cold soda and guzzle it down. As appealing as it may sound, don’t do this! Instead, go for a cool glass of water or a sports drink that contains electrolytes. Since heat exhaustion is often a result of dehydration, it is important that you replenish your fluids.

    Cooling Down
    If you wish, you can also choose to lower your body temperature by misting yourself with cool water. If you have a spray gun, this will be perfect. Do not make the water too cold; it should simply be cool, similar in temperature to the water that you drink.

    Use of Herbs
    There are several herbs which can be used in cases of heat exhaustion; some of these include Yarrow, Chinese skullcap, willow bark, and, strange as it may sound, cayenne pepper. While these herbs can help to cool down your body temperature, it is important that you use them carefully; some of them may cause problems if you are pregnant or may increase your risk of bleeding. It is best to always talk to an herbalist before starting any of these treatments.

    When to Get Help
    If your symptoms do not begin to go away after treatment, or if you start to feel worse, than it is important that you get medical attention. Heat exhaustion can easily lead to heat stroke which might become fatal. With hospitalization and fluids, you can greatly increase your chances of survival.

    Summer is a very stressful time for our bodies and it is important that we learn to take heed of the warning signs. If you believe that you are suffering from heat exhaustion, begin taking precautions as soon as possible.

    Prevent Heat Stroke

      Monday, June 13th, 2011No Commented
      Categorized Under: General Health

      With summer and warm weather finally upon us, it’s time for outdoor activities such as swimming parties, yard work, mowing the lawn, and completing chores on a long-forgotten “to-do” list. In the midst of all the things to do outside, many people forget about the dangers of heat stroke. Heat stroke occurs when one’s body becomes overheated and dehydrated, causing symptoms such as muscle cramps, confusion, high fever, changes in blood pressure, and fainting. If left untreated, heat stroke can lead to shock which may cause organ damage. This article will explain how you can prevent heat stroke and best protect your health this summer.

      Heat

      #1. Drink Plenty of Water. Since dehydration plays a major role in heat strokes, it is important that you drink plenty of fluids during the hottest part of the day or while you are working outside. Water is the best source of hydration followed by sports drinks such as Gatorade. Do not try to replenish your fluids with sodas or alcoholic beverages; these will cause you to urinate instead of sweat, leaving your body with one less way to cool itself.

      #2. Wear Thin Clothing. While it might seem that less clothing is best, this is not always the case. To keep your body from overheating, it is more important that you wear the right type of clothes rather than something skimpy. Lightweight fabrics such as cottons are the best thing that you can wear.

      #3. Schedule Your Time Outdoors. Although it might seem safest to stay inside next to the air conditioner, it is possible to still accomplish outdoor chores and enjoy your summer without suffering. Schedule your outdoor activities like exercising and gardening for the cooler times of the day such as early morning or late evening. During the hotter times in the afternoon, you can choose to do indoor activities such as cleaning or shopping at the mall.

      #4. Take Breaks. If you do have to work outdoors during the heat of the day, take frequent breaks to prevent heat stroke. Depending on the strenuous nature of the work that you are doing or your exposure to the sun, take breaks as often as every fifteen to twenty minutes. During your break time, you can sit in the shade and drink more fluids.

      #5. Keep Your Home Cool. Do all that you can to keep your home or vehicle cool. If you do not have air conditioning, then use fans and open windows to increase ventilation. If the heat becomes unbearable, travel to your local mall, library, or grocery store to hang out until later in the day.

      Heat stroke is a very frightening condition; however, it can easily be prevented by taking the proper steps to keep your body cool and hydrated.

      Four Fruits for Better Health

        Friday, May 27th, 2011No Commented
        Categorized Under: General Health

        Ever wonder how apples became such a popular fruit? There’s definitely a reason! This little round snack is more than just a quick treat after a long day at work; instead, it is a powerful tool that can give your body the boost it needs. Even if apples aren’t your favorite snack, there are plenty of other fruits which can benefit your health while curbing your hunger. Listed below are four of the best fruits that you can eat along with an explanation of what they can do to help you.

        1. Apples. As I already mentioned, apples are one of the best things that you can put into your body. This magical fruit can do more for you than a whole drug store of pills. Apples help to protect bones in post-menopausal women, lower asthma symptoms in children, lower cholesterol, help manage diabetes, and aid people in shedding pounds. In addition to all of this, apples have also been proven to prevent Alzheimer’s while also lowering your risks of developing lung, colon, liver, and breast cancer.

        Kiwi2. Kiwi. Often overlooked, kiwis are a wonderful fruit if you are looking for a good snack. Not only do they taste delicious, but they also have health benefits galore. While oranges may get the attention for containing vitamin C, kiwi actually has more of this much-needed vitamin, and also has as much potassium as a banana. Kiwi have been shown to aid children with respiratory problems such as asthma, protect one’s eyes from age-related macular degeneration, reduce cholesterol, keep the colon healthy, and provide the body with plenty of antioxidants.

        3. Pineapple. This tropical fruit may remind you of your last vacation, but it should also make you think of good health. Pineapples have been proven to be a great thing to consume if you want your body to be in top shape. Pineapples are high in antioxidants, so they help to protect you from disease, infection, and cancer. Pineapples are also beneficial for those who have arthritis and can also help to lower blood pressure, treat intestinal parasites, relieve nausea, and fight infections.

        4. Prunes, which are dried plums, are higher in potassium, protein, vitamin E, calcium, and iron than many other fruits. While they have developed a stigma of being something that only the elderly consume, everyone should learn to enjoy this amazing fruit. Prunes can help to keep your heart functioning properly, are essential in weight loss, can regulate blood sugar, can slow aging of both the mind and body, and prevent cancer.

        The next time you feel yourself coming down with a cold or ailment, consider bypassing the over-the-counter pain medicines, and instead up your daily dose of fruit. Nature’s own natural products can often do us more good than we ever imagined possible.