As more than 90 percent of India’s total area is in the “extremely alert” or “dangerous” category of heatwave, people are adopting different ways to keep cool.
Fearing heat stroke and heat exhaustion, people may drink extremely cold water, turn on the AC on a hot body, or take a cold shower, etc.
However, there are some practices that can do more harm than good. News18.com debunks myths about ways to cool down in extreme heat.
By avoiding these common mistakes and taking proper precautions, one can stay healthy during the scorching heat or the ongoing heat wave.
Taking a cold shower is not recommended for people with a weak immune system
Dr Altaf Patel, director of medicine at Jaslok Hospital and Research Center Mumbai, cited a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine which said that taking a cold shower makes a person “feel awake”.
“It also increases blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate. It can also boost the body’s metabolism, and if used for an extended period of time, you may lose some weight,” he said.
People who regularly take cold water baths have a healthier circulatory system and are less prone to falling sick because cold water activates the body’s immune system, the doctor said.
Patel said, “Bathing with cold water can benefit the body from 30 seconds to 2 minutes.”
However, he cautioned that “cold water should be used with caution by people with weakened immune systems or heart problems”.
Taking a cold bath can relieve heat-up activity and reduce inflammation in the body. Cold water causes blood vessels to constrict and swelling decreases, which leads to pain, while cold water itself relieves pain by slowing down circulation and nerve conduction.
Dr. Anurag Agarwal, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad, says that taking a cold shower can temporarily inhibit heat dissipation due to venous constriction in the skin, making you feel cool for a while.
Drinking Cold Water: The Good and the Bad
Patel from Jaslok Hospital explained that it is great to drink cold water during exercise to help prevent overheating and maintain a lower body temperature.
Experts said that cold water stimulates the circulatory system and promotes blood flow to vital organs. Not only does it help you dehydrate during exercise, but it also helps flush out toxins from the body and burn more calories. It also helps in maintaining alertness.
Cold water decreases blood flow to the skin while increasing it to vital organs.
Experts said that there are other benefits of drinking cold water such as thickening of the mucosa, which leads to respiratory problems, headaches, problems with tooth sensitivity and slow emptying of the stomach.
“If you have varicose veins, cold water may help by shrinking the veins and helping the valves work more properly,” Patel said.
The idea is to hydrate, whether with warm water or cold or room temperature water. “Whatever your preference, cold or hot or room temperature water. Take what you like on these days to avoid heat exhaustion and heat stroke, but keep yourself hydrated.
Dr Aggarwal of Fortis, however, said that drinking cold water “has no effect on the nerves”.
However, Dr. Pankaj Verma, senior consultant, internal medicine at Gurugram’s Narayana Hospital, advised avoiding extremely cold water.
He explains that drinking very cold water can cause the blood vessels in your stomach to constrict, which can reduce blood flow and slow digestion. “This can lead to stomach cramps, bloating and indigestion. Instead, drink water at room temperature or slightly cooler.
It is not wise to get cold immediately after coming from outside.
According to Dr. Anurag Agarwal, Consultant (Internal Medicine), Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad, ‘To avoid thermal shock, it is advisable to cool down the body gradually, but not suddenly. Taking a very cold shower immediately after exposure to intense heat should be avoided because it only cools the superficial body temperature, confusing thermal receptors in the skin that carry signals to the brain, making the brain falsely believe that It is cooling and thus maintains the body temperature. internal mechanism by eliminating heat by sweating.”
Dr. Verma also suggests avoiding taking a cold shower or jumping into a pool right away, as this can put the body into “shock.”
Instead, he recommended taking a lukewarm bath, using a fan, or sitting in an air-conditioned room for a few minutes to allow the body to adjust.
Dr Sunil Jain, head of the department of emergency medical services at Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, explained that “It is generally not recommended to cool down your body immediately after coming out of the heat as the heat wave is sudden in the body.” and cause huge fluctuations in your body temperature”.
This can be dangerous and fatal, causing illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
So, in general, experts said the body has self-regulation where it tries to cool itself by producing more sweat and increasing blood flow to the skin. Therefore, if you rapidly cool your body, your blood vessels will constrict very quickly, causing your blood pressure to drop, and possibly causing dizziness.
Jain added that “a fainting episode” may also be experienced if your blood pressure is low.
In addition, experts recommend limiting exposure to direct sunlight to open areas of the body and wearing loose-fitting, light-colored clothing.
avoid over exertion
Doctors suggest that it is important to avoid over-exerting yourself during a heat wave, especially during the hottest part of the day.
“Avoid strenuous activities like running or playing sports, and instead, exercise early in the morning or late in the evening,” Verma said.
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