How to prevent heat stroke with vitamin D, hydration, and regular health checks

The heatwaves this summer have broken records. Temperatures have soared across the country, making it swelteringly hot and making it difficult to venture out of your home. After a brief respite with light rains in Tamil Nadu, the scorching heat has returned. Many people have suffered from heatstroke, seizures, confusion and loss of consciousness due to the high temperatures. Various reports have found that Vitamin D deficiency is one of the main causes of heatstroke.

Vitamin D is essential for bone health. A lack of it can affect your body’s ability to regulate body temperature, leading to heatstroke. It also weakens your body’s ability to respond to heat stress. Vitamin D helps reduce your body’s inflammatory response, and a deficiency can lead to the worst symptoms of heatstroke. To keep your muscles functioning optimally, try to increase your vitamin D intake.

High blood pressure also increases the risk of heat stroke. High blood pressure puts a strain on the heart and blood vessels. There are many antihypertensive drugs that suppress sweating and inhibit thermoregulation. This is the cause of heat stroke. People with high blood pressure have a reduced ability to regulate their body temperature, making them more susceptible to dehydration.

Obesity also increases the risk of heatstroke: excess fat insulates the body and makes it harder to cool itself down by making it less able to regulate its temperature.

Obese people are more susceptible to heat stress, along with heart disease and diabetes.

Heart disease also increases the risk of heat stroke. Heart failure and coronary artery disease have a negative impact on the cardiovascular system, making it harder to cope with heat stress. They reduce the body’s efficiency in circulating blood properly and impair the cooling down process. It is therefore recommended to stay hydrated, moderately exercise and stay in cool environments. Regular medical check-ups are a must.

Diabetes affects the nerves and reduces blood circulation, which increases heat in the body. Other respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma can also increase the risk of heatstroke.

Kidney disease can disrupt thermoregulation and lead to heat stroke. Kidney disease patients are at higher risk of heat stroke. Therefore, people with kidney-related illnesses should stay in a cool environment, use electric fans or air conditioners, take cool baths, and avoid hot weather.