22-07-2025
Effective Remedies for Heatstroke and Cooling Foods to Beat the Summer Heat
In the 'Health 1+1' program, Chen Junru, director of the Wonderful TCM Clinic in Taiwan, discussed ways to prevent and treat heatstroke, as well as foods that can help cool the body.
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.
