With June-July nearing and the rising mercury, all of us are surely feeling the heat. But besides just feeling the heat there are a number of ailments one can suffer from excessive heat during summer. Let us see what these ailments are and how to beat them. Why the sun is harmful?? Hot and humid environment slows down the evaporation of sweat. While atmospheric temperature continues to rise, our body cannot cool down fast enough. There is a state of elevated core temperature known as Hyperthermia. This can lead to Heat Exhaustion and in severe cases (core temperature > 40 degree Celsius) Heat Stroke. Extracellular sodium depletion following electrolyte loss as a result of persistent sweating with replacement of water but not salt can lead to painful cramps called as Heat Cramps. Dehydration can occur if fluid loss due to perspiration is not compensated. Skin problems are the

commonest ranging from simple sun tan to skin cancer due to harmful effect of Ultra Violet rays of the sun. As Patricia Farris, a famous dermatologist has rightly said - ''Your skin remembers every bit of sun it ever had'' People at risk during these weather conditions include:

• People with disabilities and/or people who have diabetes, heart and respiratory conditions

•  The elderly

•  Infants and preschool children

•  People taking certain medications, for example, mental health conditions.

Bad effects of excessive heat lead to:

• Heat Exhaustion - Elevated core temperature associated with hyperventilation and symptoms of tiredness, fatigue, muscular weakness , dizziness and collapse.

• Heat Stroke - Life threatening condition is when core temperature of body is > 40 degree Celsius. Symptoms of heat exhaustion occur in addition to headache, nausea, vomiting .Coarse muscle tremor and confusion which may progress to loss of consciousness may be seen as a neurological manifestation.

• Heat Cramps - Painful muscle cramps occur most commonly in the legs of young people following vigorous exercise in hot weather.

• Heat Rash - Skin redness, dryness, irritation from excess sweating.

• Prickly Heat / Miliaria Rubra - Papular itching eruption of the skin due to blockage of sweat ducts.

• Photo aging - More the exposure to sun, more are the signs of aging like dry rough skin, sallow complexion etc.

• Sun Burn - Erythema caused by exposure to critical amounts of UV light.

• Sun Tan - Brownish discolouration of skin from exposure to sun.

• Freckles - Asymptomatic small circular brownish macules appearing on face, forearms, and other sun exposed areas of the body.

• Solar Purpura - Easy bruising, bleeding into the skin with bleeding from mucus membranes.

• Skin Cancer - Main risk factor for most forms of skin cancer is exposure to UV radiation in absence of adequate melanin pigment.

• Heat Tetany - Hyperventilation on exposure to heat leading to respiratory alkalosis manifesting as Tetany.

• Solar Keratosis - Inflammation of cornea

• Heat syncope / fainting

• Conjunctivitis

• Dyspepsia

• Vertigo

• Epistaxis

• Excessive offensive or staining perspiration

• Sun headache

Beat the heat... The Homoeopathy way... With homoeopathy as our weapon we can surely beat the heat! Following are useful homoeopathic remedies for these solar ailments.

• Heat exhaustion - Antimony crude , Gelsemium , Natrum carb , Selenium , Lachesis , Nux mosch .

• Heat stroke - Glonoine , Natrum carb , Belladonna , Lachesis , Amyl nit .

• Heat cramps - Colocyinth , Cuprum met , Gelsemium , Belladonna , Natrum mur , China .

• Heat rash - Kali bich , Ledum pal .

• Prickly heat - Acon , Bry , Jaborandi , Ammonium mur , Arsenicum album , Ledum pal , Syzigium , Urtica urens

• Cataract - Pulsatilla , Natrum mur , Euphrasia .

• Heat syncope - Gelsemium , Aconit , Antimony crude , Lachesis , Nux vomica .

• Freckles - Lyc , Phos , Antimony crude .

• Solar keratitis - Acon , Bell ,Kali bich ,Merc cor .

• Conjunctivitis with HEAT - Acon , Bell , Ferrum phos , Puls , Kali bich , Natrum mur , Calcarea carb , Nux vomica

• Dyspepsia in summer - Antimony crude , Bryonia , Lycopodium .

• Sun headache - Gels , Glon , Natrum carb , Bell , Kali bich , Lach , Antimony crude , Bry , Calcarea carb .

• Vertigo with HEAT - Acon , Agar , Bell , Natrum carb , Nux vomica .

• Epistaxis from nose with HEAT - Acon , Bell , China , Nux vomica , Croc , Lach , Puls , Natrum mur .

• Offensive perspiration with HEAT - Lycopodium , Nux vomica , Pulsatilla , Graphites .

• Perspiration staining linen with HEAT - Lachesis, Belladonna, Graphite.

Consult your nearest Homoeopathic doctor if you have any of these problems. Homoeopathy can save you from deadly effects of summers. Tips on how to avoid heat-related illness:

• Avoid going out in the blazing sun or heat when possible. If you must go outside, stay in the shade as much as possible and plan to go out early in the morning or evening when it is cooler & smog levels may not be as high in the afternoon. Do not go out without a hat or scarf or an umbrella

• Wear light coloured light weight loose clothes.

• Use a sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher.

• Reduce the consumption of tea, coffee, cola, alcohol .Do not drink liquids with large amount of sugar.

• Drink plenty of water, clear juice and electrolyte containing drinks like coconut water, lemon water even if you don’t feel very thirsty.

• Eat small meals and more often. Avoid foods high in protein which increase the metabolic heat.

• Do not exercise too hard .Cool down yourself with a cool shower.

• In case of heat stroke use cold wraps and fan the person. Seek medical help as quickly as possible.

• If you don't have air conditioning, keep drapes drawn and blinds closed on the sunny side of your home, but keep windows slightly open.

• Fans alone may not provide enough cooling when the temperature is high.

• Go to air conditioned or cool places such as shopping malls, libraries, community centres or a friend's place.

• Spend some time near the lake or waterfront where it is cooler.

• Keep lights off or turned down low.

• Take cool bath or shower periodically or cool down with cool, wet towels.

• Avoid heavy meals and using your oven.

• Never leave a child in a parked car or asleep in direct sunlight.

• Consult your doctor regarding the side effects of your medications.