As temperatures rise, many people experience symptoms like dizziness and fatigue. Cases of heat-related cardiovascular diseases, heat colds, fevers, acute gastroenteritis, and injuries have increased significantly. Doctors remind everyone to take proactive measures through diet and exercise, stay cool, and drink plenty of water.
Headaches and Heatstroke from Temperature Shocks
With the arrival of hot weather, many people turn on their air conditioners early, often neglecting the need to guard against cold-related illnesses when moving from outdoors to indoors.When moving from hot to cold environments—especially when the indoor-outdoor temperature difference exceeds 5°C—cerebral blood vessels rapidly constrict from their dilated state due to thermal expansion and contraction principles. This can easily trigger headaches and other symptoms. Conversely, when moving from cold to hot environments, improper regulation by the body's thermoregulatory center may lead to heatstroke, sore throat, nasal congestion, and other wind-heat type cold symptoms.
Doctors advise maintaining a positive mindset during hot weather, paying attention to diet and daily routines, and reducing nightlife. Ensure adequate sleep daily, ideally including a 30-minute afternoon nap. Those working outdoors must prioritize quality rest, avoid working while fatigued, frequently splash cold water on their faces, and take precautions against sun exposure and heatstroke.
How to Prevent Heatstroke
Moderate Exercise:First, choose exercise times wisely. Avoid the hottest part of the day. Outdoor workouts are best in the morning or evening when the sun is less intense. Opt for locations with fresh air, such as parks or riversides. Aim for 30 to 40 minutes per session. Avoid strenuous activities; instead, choose gentle yet effective exercises like walking, jogging, simple sit-ups, brisk walking, or calisthenics.
Stay Hydrated: Summer's intense heat weakens digestive function, so adjust your diet accordingly. Opt for light meals with plenty of vegetables and fruits, while minimizing greasy or fried foods. Regularly consume dishes like winter melon and coix seed porridge, mung bean and kelp soup, or mung bean porridge. Eat seasonal fruits such as watermelon, winter melon, and bitter melon to combat heat effectively and prevent heatstroke.Daily hydration is essential. The simplest approach is frequent consumption of plain water or lightly salted water. When drinking salted water, take small sips multiple times to prevent heatstroke. Alternatives include fruit juices, yogurt drinks, and tea. Avoid setting air conditioning too low: At home, utilize natural breezes, sprinkling water on floors, electric fans, or air conditioning to cool down when feeling hot.Avoid directing electric fans directly at yourself. When using air conditioning, ensure windows are opened periodically for ventilation. Offices should also set air conditioning temperatures reasonably. After running at 26°C for a period, adjusting to 27°C is optimal. Never set the temperature too low; maintain an indoor-outdoor temperature difference of 5°C to 10°C. Otherwise, excessive temperature variation may increase the risk of heatstroke or colds.
Reasonable Sleep: Heatstroke occurrence is also linked to sleep patterns. People should arrange their schedules reasonably to ensure adequate rest, which keeps them energetic and boosts physical resistance.
Stock Some Heatstroke-Preventing Chinese Herbal Medicine
Huoxiang Zhengqi Liquid (Liquid, Pills, Capsules): These four formulations have essentially the same effects and pharmacology. They primarily dispel summer heat, detoxify, transform dampness, and harmonize the middle burner.Clinically indicated for patients with external wind-cold invasion or internal dampness stagnation manifesting as colds, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Shidi Shui (Ten-Drop Water): Dispels summer heat, alleviates cold, and strengthens the stomach. Primarily used for heatstroke-induced headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal discomfort. Suitable for preventing heatstroke during long-distance travel or work in high-temperature environments.
Ren Dan: Clears heat, relieves summer heat, and stops vomiting. A common summer heat prevention medicine, it primarily treats heatstroke headaches, acute gastroenteritis (vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea), summer colds, and travel sickness caused by high temperatures.
Summer Heat Tablets: These tablets dispel summer heat, detoxify, resolve phlegm, open the orifices, and harmonize the stomach and intestines. They are primarily used for emergency treatment of heatstroke-induced unconsciousness and can be discontinued once the patient regains consciousness. Pregnant women should avoid this medication. Additionally, Xia Sang Ju Granules, Xia Huo Wang Granules, Anti-Viral Granules, and herbal teas made by steeping chrysanthemum, honeysuckle, and other herbs in boiling water are effective for preventing and treating summer colds and heatstroke.