Bangladesh is situated in a tropical region with a moderate to temperate climate. However, there has been a spike in heat waves and extended summer in recent years. Heatwaves and humid weather create various health complications as well as general uncomfortableness. So how can you beat the simmering heat of summer? Let’s look at some of the ways.
Health complications in summer
The human body isn’t designed to be exposed to extreme heat for an extended period. The heatwaves and the constant dry weather create various health-related issues. Not everyone has access to air conditioning and many people have to go out during the day for work. As a result, the risks become even more prominent.
Dehydration
The body loses excessive fluid through sweat due to extreme heat. This causes the body to get dehydrated. Muscle cramps, weakness, and disorientation are some of the symptoms of dehydration. Try to drink as much water and fluid as possible during the summer season.
Sunburn
The extreme heat may often cause the skin to burn. Extended exposure to the heat may cause the skin to become red and sore. The harmful UV rays of the sun cause skin cancer in the long run.
Heat Exhaustion
Overworking in the heat may cause heat exhaustion. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include nausea, dizziness, and extreme thirst. Excess exposure to direct sun rays should be minimized as much as possible. The body should be wiped with a water-soaked towel regularly.
Heat Stroke
Heatstroke is the advanced stage of heat exhaustion. Heatstroke occurs in patients who have a history of diabetes and other long-term diseases. The fatality rate of heat stroke is very high. The person should be hospitalized as soon as possible if they show signs of heatstroke.
How to stay cool in simmering hot weather?
Drink lots of water
This is the best and cheapest way to keep cool in simmering hot weather. Excessive heat not only causes dehydration but also drives up the body temperature. It’s important to drink water to keep the body cool. If it’s possible, use some ice cubes to cool up the water.
Wear the right clothes
Wearing light and breathable clothing will help you to beat the heat. Cotton clothes are a perfect choice for the summer. They are lightweight and helps to keep the heat away. You should also avoid wearing dark-colored clothes as they act as heat absorbents. Wear light and bright colors to deflect heat.
Tight-fit clothes should be avoided in summer. Tight clothes obstruct the natural airflow. You should wear clothes that are loosely attached and help in airflow.
Avoid Caffein
Drinking tea is very common among the people of Bangladesh. In addition to tea, coffee is equally popular here. But consumption of these drinks should be avoided in summer. In addition to being hot, tea and coffee are both rich in caffeine. Caffein is a type of anti-oxidant that induces sleeplessness and shots of energy. The chemical also causes dehydration. So, it’s better to avoid tea and coffee during the days in summer to beat the heat.
Choose Cooling foods
Diet also plays a part in staying cool during the summertime. Most of our diet consists of rich and oily food. However, during summer days, oily foods should be avoided at all costs. Instead, light food should be incorporated into the regular diet. Rather than eating rich foods, dry and boiled foods should be preferred. Fresh fruits and raw vegetables should also be eaten as they help to keep the body cool and hydrated.
Use sunscreen
One of the detrimental effects of the simmering heat is skin burn. Besides making the skin-irritating, it causes redness and rashes. Flaky skin becomes susceptible to further bacterial infection. Sunscreen should be used to protect against sunburns. Sunscreen also helps to deflect the heat and keep the body temperature cool.
Wear breathable footwear
This is another useful technique is to keep the heat away. It’s common to see people wear shoes and sneakers all day. However, shoes and sneakers don’t have any form of breathability. As a result, sweat forms as the heat becomes increasingly uncomfortable. Just likes clothes, you should wear breathable shoes like sandals. This would help to dissipate the heat and keep sweat away.
Keep the house cool
Now the question may arise how can you keep your house cool? Most people in Bangladesh don’t have access to air-conditioning. However, you can always make use of natural ventilation to keep your house cool. One of the ways to keep all the windows open and allow airflow. sufficient airflow will ensure that the trapped hot air gets replaced. Also, keep your fan turned on for better ventilation.
Use better Insulation
Most of the houses in Bangladesh aren’t properly insulated. As a result, the heat becomes unbearable in the summer. In rural areas, there are some primitive methods of insulation using fodder. However, they aren’t useful and common in the city areas.
For tin shed houses, an extra layer of modern insulation should be used to keep the house cool. Many people may consider this as an extra expenditure. But it goes a long way to dissipate heat in summer. For buildings, make sure false ceilings are included in the design. False ceilings help to curb out the heat as well.
Stay indoors
Above everything, to get rid of the scorching heat of the sun you should stay indoors. The heat of the summer not only creates an uncomfortable environment but also creates various health complications. While staying at home doesn’t guarantee your relief from the heat, it is still safer than being outside. You should stay indoors as much as possible and make use of home remedies against the simmering heat.
Bottom Line
It’s not easy living in a temperate climate zone in the summer. While the heat becomes unbearable at times, it brings other hazards too. We hope that these steps would help you to better combat the heat in hot weather and stay healthy.
Source: United News of Bangladesh