Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Natural Cure for Heat Exhaustion

If you feel dizzy from heat and/or stop sweating, you are in trouble.
To Cure Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke
Quit all activity and get out of the sun fast. Drink cool, not cold, water with a teaspoon of natural apple cider vinegar in it. The vinegar helps to replace electrolytes and minerals like sports drinks do.

Drinking Raspberry Tea or Peppermint Tea produces a natural cooling effect on your overheated system.

Putting a washcloth wet with cool water onto the back of the neck and the fronts of the wrists will cool the body down quickly.

When possible, a bath or shower in cool water is even more helpful.

Potassium and magnesium can be lost through excessive sweating and replaced by Gatorade, Pedialyte, natural apple cider vinegar, leafy vegetables, bananas, whole grains, and nuts. Gatorade has a lot of sugar so it is not the best choice for diabetics. Even the healthiest people should not drink only Gatorade but drink it in addition to water.
Preventing Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke
Wearing a thin shirt and pants helps cool the body down more than bare skin. The clothing gets wet from sweat, and this moisture is what makes you feel cooler when exposed to air from a fan or a breeze. Clothing should be lightweight, and cotton is the best material. Polyester and rayon do not "breathe" as well and make you even hotter.

Sweating will help you be and feel cooler. Drinking liquids prevents dehydration and allow you to sweat. Avoid drinks that contain alcohol or caffeine (soda or coffee) since they cause you to urinate more often instead of sweating.

Excess heat is released from your body through evaporation of sweat. Your sweat is less able to evaporate in high humidity, which is when a fan is very helpful.

Older people have less of a sensation of thirst and should drink more water even if they don't feel thirsty.

Opening windows on opposite sides of the room or house cool things down more than a fan with the windows shut. Those in an apartment with windows on only one side may join forces with their neighbors across the hall. Opening windows in both apartments and both entry doors can allow both apartments to receive cross ventilation.

Use an umbrella and a hand fan if you must go outside in the daytime. Walk slowly, resting often in the shade of a tree or building. To go more than a short distance, find someone to drive you.

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