Summer heat is a condition caused by exposure to excessive summer heat and humidity. In Western medicine, this condition is called heat exhaustion or, if it is more serious, heat stroke. Exposure to the elements is a common factor that contributes to illness and imbalance, but it’s not one we often think about because we tend to spend a lot of time indoors. Many of us are outside for just a few minutes a day in small moments as we move between our car and various buildings with controlled environments. Air conditioning, central heating and humidity control devices help us modify our interior spaces, significantly neutralizing extremes of temperature and humidity, and protecting us from wind and precipitation. However, in earlier times in human history, we spent a significant part of our day outdoors and protecting ourselves from exposure was a daily concern. It is under these conditions that Chinese medicine developed, which is why emphasis is placed in this field on how environmental factors can contribute to disease and illness.
Summer heat is probably one of the most common ways we are affected by exposure in modern times. One reason is that we spend so much time in controlled environments that we are actually less acclimated outdoors. Our bodies just don’t have that much practice neutralizing the effects of the elements. This is kind of like how overprotecting ourselves from germs can make us more susceptible to microbial infections. Another reason is that we don’t prepare. For our ancestors, exposure was a real concern and they faced life-threatening situations much more frequently. We, on the other hand, have been spoiled by easy access to artificial environments. Thinking about exposure is often beyond the reach of our daily consciousness, making us less likely to do the things we need to do to protect ourselves from the elements. I also believe that we have lost the general collective knowledge and awareness of what the early symptoms of exposure are. Unless you’re on the scouts or trained in first aid, you probably don’t have a clue.
Summer heat affects our bodies by causing them to overheat and dry out. The first signs of overheating are sweating and clammy skin, as our bodies try to release excess heat to help regulate our internal temperature. The heat makes our mouth dry and increases our thirst, making us crave the refreshing fluids we need. As our bodies become dehydrated, our blood volume decreases, leading to low blood pressure. Low blood pressure plus low blood volume means headaches and dizziness because we literally lack enough blood to nourish the upper reaches of our body. The effort to eliminate extreme amounts of heat through profuse sweating depletes our energy, causing fatigue and physical weakness. If a person with these symptoms does not rest, does not drink fluids, and moves away from the sun and heat, the condition can progress to the next level, causing poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and dark urine. Although rare, this condition can progress even further and become so extreme that it can be life-threatening.
The best treatment for summer heat is prevention: dress lightly in hot weather, don’t exercise in the late afternoon when the temperature peaks, avoid extreme heat and sun, and stay hydrated. If you or someone you know begins to have the first symptoms of summer heat, get them out of the sun and warm them in a cool, dark place and give them plenty of fluids. If things progress to the next level, they may need medical attention. In Western medicine the most common treatment would be rehydration with fluids and electrolytes through an intravenous drip. In Chinese medicine, acupuncture and herbs are used to reduce internal heat, promote moisture in the body, and relieve symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Traditional southern remedies like honeysuckle flower iced tea rehydrate and refresh us from the inside out. In Chinese medicine, honeysuckle flower is considered so effective in removing heat from the body that it is prescribed not only for summer heat, but also for fevers, sore throats, inflamed sores, intestinal abscesses, and infectious dysentery. Watermelon is also an excellent remedy. The sugars in this fruit increase energy and the juiciness replenishes fluids. Watermelon is also loaded with electrolytes and promotes urination. This combination stimulates the urinary system to remove heat from inside the body through the kidneys and bladder. Keep it up!
