Is your child having a hard time in this hot weather? Let's talk about (Heat Illness).

Hello! How are you? These days, the heat is unbearable, isn't it? Even when you come home in the evening, you feel like you just came from a fireplace. So, when there is weather like this, we have to think a little more about our little ones. Because, unlike adults, it is a little harder for small children to handle this extreme heat . That is why, when the heat increases, they can develop various health problems. That is, the condition called 'Heat Illness', which is caused by heat, is what we wanted to talk about today. Let's see what this is, how it happens, and most importantly, how to save our children from it.

What is this 'heat illness' caused by heat?

Simply put, 'Heat Illness' is when our body temperature rises dangerously high due to excessive heat. Now, look, our body usually has a way to control its temperature. Sweating is the main way. However, when it is extremely hot, especially on a day with little wind and high humidity, this ability to cool the body by sweating decreases. That's when the body starts to heat up from the inside.

There are different levels of this 'heat illness'.

• The first thing that can come is 'Heat Cramps ' . This is when the muscles twitch.
• Then there's 'Heat Exhaustion' . This is a bit more extreme. The body feels very tired, and it feels like vomiting. This starts with the monks.
• However, if heat exhaustion is not treated quickly, it can develop into a more serious condition called heatstroke . Heatstroke is a life-threatening medical emergency that can occur when a person's body temperature reaches 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40.5 degrees Celsius) or higher.

Imagine your child playing in a field on a hot day, during the day. When they play for hours on end, and they don't drink enough water, their body temperature starts to rise. That's when these problems start to occur.

What are the symptoms of heatstroke? How do you recognize it?

In these heat illnesses, the symptoms of the two conditions called 'Heat Exhaustion' and 'Heatstroke' are slightly different. So let's talk about the two separately. It is very important to recognize these symptoms correctly, because the treatment depends on them.

Symptoms of 'Heat Exhaustion'

This condition gets worse as time goes on. Check if your child has any of these symptoms:

• Increased thirst for water: Asks for water frequently, says mouth is dry.
• Lethargy and excessive fatigue: A child who has been playing suddenly says, "I'm tired," and tries to lie down, or simply feels sleepy.
• Fainting: You can feel dizzy, and sometimes you may even faint.
• Muscle cramps: Muscle cramps occur in the legs, arms, or stomach, causing pain.
• Nausea and vomiting : Feeling like your stomach is churning, feeling like you're going to vomit, and possibly even vomiting.
• Irritability: Getting angry, crying, and upset over small things.
• Headache : A severe headache may occur.
• Increased sweating: You may be sweating profusely all over your body.
• Cool, clammy skin: The skin feels cold to the touch, but is still clammy due to sweat.
• Body temperature rises: But it remains below 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40.5 Celsius).

If you see these symptoms, you need to take action immediately . Otherwise, it could lead to heatstroke.

Symptoms of a severe condition called 'heatstroke'

This is an extremely dangerous condition. If any of these symptoms are present, immediate hospitalization is required .

• Severe headache: A headache that is unbearable.
• Weakness, dizziness, confusion: You feel so weak that you can't stand up, your head feels very dizzy, you feel disoriented, and you don't seem to understand what is being said.
• Fast breathing and heartbeat: Panic attacks, heart rate is very high.
• Loss of consciousness / passing out: You may suddenly lose consciousness and fall.
• Seizures: A condition where the limbs shake and become convulsive may occur.
• Little or no sweating: Unlike heat exhaustion, sweating may be reduced or stop completely.
• Flushed, hot, dry skin: The skin feels hot to the touch, red, and dry due to lack of sweat.
• Body temperature rises to 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40.5 Celsius) or higher.

Heatstroke is an emergency! If you have these symptoms, take your child to the hospital immediately without delay. It's best to call an ambulance if you can.

What to do if a child has a heat stroke like this?

We've already said that if a child has symptoms of heatstroke, they should seek emergency medical attention immediately . That's the most important thing.

If you are experiencing heat exhaustion or think you may be having heatstroke, do the following until you get to the hospital or an ambulance arrives:

• Immediately take the child indoors, to a well-shaded, well-ventilated area. The first thing to do is to remove the heat.
• Remove or loosen the child's clothing, especially if there are tight clothing.
• Make the child lie down. Raise both legs slightly. Doing this will improve blood flow to the brain.
• If the child is conscious, sponge or spray the child with lukewarm water to cool them down. Do not use cold water, as it may cause them to shiver. Also, place cool cloths on the forehead, neck, armpits, and groin. These areas will cool them down faster.
• If the child is conscious and not vomiting, give them small sips of something like cool water, Jeevani, or orange juice. Don't give them large amounts at once. Give them small sips, often.
• If the child is vomiting, turn him or her on his or her side to prevent choking.

While doing these things, keep an eye on your child's condition. If the condition does not improve within a short time, or if symptoms of heatstroke appear, take them to a hospital immediately .

How can we protect our children from these heat problems? Prevention methods

"Prevention is better than cure," they say. So the most important thing is to protect our children from this heat before it gets too bad. Here are some things you can do:

• Give your children plenty of water and fluids to drink: Give your children plenty of water to drink before they start playing, during their play, and after they finish playing. Don't wait until they are thirsty to drink water. This doesn't just mean water. Homemade fruit juice (with less sugar), orange water, and Jeevani are also good. However, store-bought sweetened drinks and carbonated drinks are not so good at this time, are they?
• Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothes: Dark-colored clothes absorb more heat. Also, wearing tight clothes prevents the body from sweating and cooling down. Therefore, it is very important to wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothes made of fabrics like cotton.
• Encourage children to rest in the shade: When they are playing outside, remind them to take frequent breaks in the shade. Tell them not to stay in the sun for long periods of time.
• Use sunscreen and hats: When sending children outside, especially between 10 am and 4 pm, apply sunscreen. Also, wear a wide-brimmed hat. Sunburn can also increase the risk of heat illness.
• Don't send your children outside to play during the hottest hours of the day: Avoid sending your children outside to play during the hottest hours of the day, between 11 am and 3 pm. Get them used to playing indoors during those times.
• Teach children to come indoors immediately if they feel hot or uncomfortable: Whether while playing or doing something else, if they feel tired, hot, or have a headache, teach them to immediately tell an adult and come indoors or in the shade without hiding it.

Most importantly: Never leave children alone in a parked car, even for a second! Even with the windows slightly open or parked in the shade, the temperature inside a vehicle can quickly rise to dangerous levels. This can even be life-threatening for a child.

Finally, a few things to remember (Take-Home Message)

So, it is our responsibility to take care of our children with the extreme heat these days. 'Heat Illness' is something that can be prevented with a little care.

• Recognize the symptoms early: Be aware of the symptoms of 'Heat Exhaustion' and 'Heatstroke'.
• Heatstroke is an emergency: if you experience these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
• Prevention is best: make sure children drink plenty of water, dress them in light clothing, and limit their time outside in hot weather.
• Never leave children alone in a parked vehicle: Never do this.

With these things in mind, let's all work together to protect our children from this hot season. If you have any further questions, don't forget to ask your family doctor. Stay safe everyone!

Heat Illness, Heat Stroke, Heat Exhaustion, Children's Health, Sri Lanka, Temperature