Hello Readers!

Thank you all for the support you all give me by reading my blogs. The bouquets inspire me and the brick bats make me aware the need for improvements. As I was wondering what to write, one of my training assistants came up with a suggestion. He told me that as summer was on in most parts of the world, I could write on the First aid measures for Hyperthermia commonly known as Heat Stroke. Jaggy and Maggie precisely discuss this and will offer you valuable tips on summer care.

Maggie: “Hello Jaggy!”

Jaggy: “Hi Maggie! Trust all is well with you.”

Maggie: “Yes, Jaggy I am fine and on top of the world.”

Jaggy: “Good to hear that.  I remember last time you had told that your friends and you were planning on a summer trek.”

Maggie: “Yes Jaggy. The planning has been done and we plan to do it in the month of May.”

Jaggy: “That’s good but May will be very hot. There is every chance of someone being affected by Hyperthermia.”

Maggie: “There you go again. What on earth is Hyperthermia?”

Jaggy: “The opposite of Hypothermia.”

Maggie: “Oh, I see. Now I understand. I think it is commonly known as Heat Stroke or Sun Stroke right.”

Jaggy: “Yes. During summer, due to the hot weather many people suffer from Heat Stress which if not attended also results in Heat Stroke.”

Maggie: “Do People die because of that too?”

Jaggy: “Yes. A lot of people die due to it. Hence, one should know the symptoms and first aid for the same.”

Maggie: “Can you explain in detail please?”

Jaggy: “Heat Stroke or Hyperthermia is an abnormally high body temperature which is the most serious and life threatening.”

Maggie: “Oh my God!”

Jaggy: “This happens due to increase in body temperature beyond 104 Deg Fahrenheit. It causes damage to your brain and other organs.”

Maggie: “How is it caused?”

Jaggy: “It is caused by strenuous physical activity in extreme conditions of heat.”

Maggie: “What are the symptoms and how to identify the same?”

Jaggy: “The symptoms are 1. Dry mouth. 2. Cramps in the muscles. 3. Dizziness. 4. Blurred Vision 5. Nausea and Vomiting. 6. Fainting 7. Red Hot skin.”

Maggie: “What is the First aid for the same?”

Jaggy: “First get the person to a cool and ventilated place, an area where there is shade. Remove the upper clothing if you can. Cover him with a towel or a bed spread. Keep on pouring a lot of water over the person. Pour it till the temperature goes down. If the person is responsive and able to drink, give him any drink with electrolytes like Coconut water or ORS solution. If the person has still not recovered, rush him to the nearest hospital.” “If not responding and no breathing perform CPR.”

Maggie: “ORS? what is that?”

Jaggy: “ORS is Oral Re-hydration Solution. In India popularly known as Electral Powder.”

Maggie: “Can we give plain water”?

Jaggy: “Yes, but ORS will give the victim the important electrolytes like Salt and Sugar.”

Maggie: “Are sports drink useful in these situations?”

Jaggy: “They are if you have them. As a First aider I would prefer ORS.”

Maggie: “Thank you so much for your clear explanation. What other precautions can we take during the trek?”

Jaggy: “Wear Cotton clothes, keep drinking plenty of water, take breaks if the sun is too hot and avoid soft and hot drinks if you can. Carry ORS sachets or liquids and keep your medicines handy at all times.”

Maggie: “Can we prepare ORS ourselves at home?”

Jaggy: “Yes. The method is to take a glass of water add a tea spoon of sugar and a pinch of salt and stir it completely. Drink as soon as it is ready.”

Maggie: “Are there more heat related conditions?”

Jaggy: “There are. We will discuss later as summer has just started.”

Maggie and Jaggy will be covering more heat related conditions in the next conversation. Take care folks and make sure you are hydrated at all times. It has been extremely hot wherever in India I had been to in April. Keep sharing the blog with your loved ones and keep the comments coming.

Till then Stay Safe Be Safe.

Seshadri Varadarajan.