Clear blues skies, crisp air, and bright sunshine are all indicators of a much-deserved summer vacation. This is the time to pack your bags, head to the sea, and let work take a back seat. Summer can't be without fun and frolic, and anything denying you this would be in trouble. But what when the scorching heat of the sun becomes unbearable? Summers are indeed great and a season we truly look forward to. But excessive exposure to heat can lead to several heat related illnesses. Our body has its own mechanism of keeping itself warm and cooling down the raised temperatures. However, it's the natural tendency of our body to heat up faster than cool down. Sweating is our body's way of cooling itself down. Illnesses Relating to Heat If the body is made to do a lot of exercise or any other activity in high temperatures, then even the natural cooling system is likely to fail. Heat Cramps Heat cramps occur in legs, stomach, arms and abdomen, if they are exercised vigorously in extreme heat. Kids are likely to suffer from them. Fortunately, there is nothing serious about heat cramps. The main reason for occurrence of heat cramps is losing a lot of water and salts. The best way of treating them is having a lot of water and massaging the affected area. Exhaustion Heat related exhaustion is a result of loss of fluids from the body. In extremely hot weather conditions body sweats excessively and if the water reserves are not replenished, then it begins to take a toll on the body. This leads to dehydration, fatigue, weakness, clammy skin, headache, nausea, vomiting, hyperventilation, and irritability. Heat Stroke Statistics show that heat stroke claims number of lives every year. During a stroke the body loses its ability to regulate its temperature. A person suffering from this condition, is likely to reach a temperature of 106°F or 41.1°C. If the heat stroke is not treated in time, it can lead to a brain damage and even death. Overexertion in the sun and inadequate fluid intake are the two most important reasons for heat stroke. The symptoms include dry hot skin with no sweating, hot temperature of 105°F or 40.6°F or even higher, fatigue, dizziness, loss of consciousness, and severe throbbing headache. Symptoms

• Fatigue
• Throbbing headaches
• Excessive thirst
• Muscle aches and cramps
• Weakness
• Confusion or anxiety
• Drenching sweats, often accompanied by cold and clammy skin
• Slowed or weakened heartbeat
• Vomiting
• Vertigo
• Hot, flushed, and dry skin
• Decreased sweating
• Shortness of breath
• Decreased urination
• Blood in urine or stool
• Convulsions
• Confusion, delirium, and loss of consciousness

Preventive Measures Drinking pots of water is the first thing to do for preventing dehydration. Even if you can't drink a glass full of water, drink it in small amount about 15-20 time a day. At the end of the day you should have had 3.5 liters of water. Limit the exposure to sun. Too much of heat is not good. Even if you want to spend your day out, take frequent breaks in cool areas with proper ventilation or air conditioners. Acclimatization plays is huge role as it helps you to adapt better to the weather conditions. Wear loose cotton or linen clothes. Tying yourself in tight fitted clothes can adversely affect the heat buildup in the body. In case of acute illness call emergency or get in touch with a doctor. Summers will be great only if you take adequate precautions to avert illnesses from overheating your body. And it's always better to be safe than sorry!