Syeda Amtul Saudi Gazette It's summer and the temperature is soaring; and along with intense humidity and crankiness in people, summer brings with itself a host of health problems like sunstroke, headaches and dehydration. Doctors say these problems can be warded off if the water intake of people is adequate. Due to excessive exposure to heat there is, at times, significant loss of body fluids — a common problem in summer. Dr. Anees ul Haq, medical director and general practitioner of Shifa Jeddah clinic, said, “Dehydration can be mild, moderate, or severe based on how much of the body's fluid is lost or not replenished. When it is severe, dehydration is a life-threatening emergency." Haq said there are numerous benefits of drinking water. However, in summer it is extremely important. “Your body may lose too much fluids from excessive sweating or urine, or if you are suffering from fever, vomiting or diarrhea," said Haq, adding that one might not drink enough fluids because of loss of appetite due to illness, nausea, sore throat or mouth sores. Studies have shown that children are more susceptible to dehydration and heat illness than adults and once children become dehydrated, it is almost impossible for them to regain their health. “A person's daily water needs are dependent upon their life styles, level of activity and the air temperature or environment. Hot temperatures and intense exercise increase sweating rates and, as a result, water requirements increases. Humid weather will also ratchet up the sweating rate," Haq said. Asked how much water or fluid an average, healthy adult living in hot climatic conditions need, Haq replied, that according to The Institute of Medicine an adequate intake (AI) for men is roughly 3 liters, or 13 cups of total beverages a day, and for women it is 2.2 liters, or 9 cups. Apart from dehydration our bodies suffer from many heat related illnesses such as heat rash which happens when the sweat ducts of the skin is blocked or swollen; heat cramps which occur in muscles after exercise because of sweating; heat edema occurs when a person is exposed to heat for a long period; heat tetany which is caused by short periods of stress in a hot environment; heat syncope (fainting) which occurs from low blood pressure; heat exhaustion which generally develops because of lack of water; and heatstroke which occurs when the body fails to regulate its own temperature and the temperature increases tremendously. Heatstroke is a medical emergency and even with immediate treatment it can be life-threatening or cause serious long-term problems. According to Haq some symptoms of heatstroke are elevated body temperature, very dry or dehydrated skin, rapid pulse, headache, dizziness, exhaustion, nausea and vomiting. “To avoid sunstroke, it is important to stay hydrated by drinking lots of liquids and maintaining the body temperature while doing outdoor activities. Try to wear light-colored, loose-fitted clothing," Haq said.
