Effective Remedies for Heatstroke and Cooling Foods to Beat the Summer Heat
When exposed to extreme heat, the body's temperature rises rapidly. If the body's natural sweating mechanism fails and the body is unable to cool down,
Progression of Heatstroke: Symptoms and Causes
According to Chen, heatstroke progresses through three stages, ranging from mild to severe.
Heat Cramps
Symptoms:
Involuntary muscle contractions that cause pain, lasting from one to three minutes. Common areas include the thighs, calves, arms, and abdomen, creating a sensation of muscle tightness or spasms.
Cause: Prolonged physical activity in a hot and humid environment without adequate hydration leads to excessive sweating, which results in electrolyte loss and imbalance, triggering muscle cramps.
Heat Syncope (Fainting)
Symptoms:
Dizziness, nausea, and temporary loss of consciousness.
Cause:
Prolonged standing in a hot environment. To regulate body temperature, blood vessels near the skin expand to release heat, causing blood redistribution. This can result in a significant amount of blood pooling in the limbs, reducing blood flow to the brain and causing fainting.
Heat Exhaustion
Symptoms:
Profuse sweating, fatigue, overall weakness, and shortness of breath.
Cause:
Excessive sweating without sufficient replenishment of fluids or electrolytes can lead to circulatory failure if left untreated.
TCM Classification of Heatstroke
From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Chen said, heatstroke can be classified into two types, each with different causes.
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Dr. Parker says it can support sleep "by calming the nervous system, easing physical tension, and regulating the underlying organ systems that influence rest." She notes that the best combination of acupressure points for sleep depends on what the individual is experiencing and that a personal point prescription would then be selected to "to support the patient and the present symptoms, like insomnia and restlessness." However, she shares the following common points and how they work from a traditional Chinese medicine perspective: "Shenmen (HT7 – Heart 7): Located on the wrist crease, this point is often used for insomnia, anxiety and emotional restlessness. It calms the Shen (spirit), helping to settle racing thoughts and reduce overactivity of the Heart system, which in TCM can disturb sleep." "Yintang ('Third Eye'): Found between the eyebrows, this point is deeply calming and is known to relieve stress, quiet the mind and support melatonin production through relaxation of the pineal and hypothalamic areas." "Anmian ('Peaceful Sleep'): A lesser-known but effective point located behind the ear, Anmian is used specifically for sleep disturbances, helping to ground the nervous system and encourage deeper, more sustained rest." "Sanyinjiao (SP6 – Spleen 6): Located on the inner lower leg, this point supports hormonal regulation and helps harmonize the Spleen, Liver, and Kidney systems. These organs play key roles in emotional regulation and sleep according to TCM." 2. Reduces stress and anxiety Anxiety can mean that worries, racing thoughts and restlessness make it particularly hard to fall asleep. 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Lying on one for 10–20 minutes can help reduce muscular tension and promote parasympathetic nervous system activation—ideal for winding down." "Partner massage: Light massage focusing on the neck, shoulders, and feet can activate calming points. Adding lavender oil or calming music can enhance the effect." "Breathing with pressure: Combine acupressure with slow, deep breathing to amplify relaxation. Inhale deeply, press a calming point (like Yintang), and exhale slowly." Acupressure mats like the Shakti mat and Pranamat have become popular options to try at home, and both promise to help improve your sleep after just 20 minutes use. Pranamat even cites stats from Dr. Marek Dvořák's sleep tracker, which show that after using the Pranamat 20 minutes before sleep, his REM sleep increased by 2%, deep sleep increased by 7% and light sleep was reduced by 10%. 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But she notes that, "for face, body or ear acupuncture and for more complex conditions, this is safest and most effective when carried out by a TCM practitioner who is registered with an appropriate acupuncture professional body." "If you are actively under the care of a doctor or consultant for a medical condition, you should always seek their advice prior to using acupressure," she explains. It's important that certain patient groups such as children, pregnant women and the elderly should check with their doctor before using acupressure for their health concerns.
