Treatment

• Only liquids such as lime juice, tender coconut water or orange juice should be given 3–4 times a day till the symptoms subside and the patient should be encouraged to drink plenty of water.
• No solid food till fever subsides.
• Warm water enemas early in the morning during the fasting period for the first 3 days, and thereafter, as per need till fasting is discontinued.
• Mud packs for 15–20 minutes two or three times a day.
• Chest pack and cold compresses on the forehead frequently.
• Cold sponge baths or cold friction baths are invigorating, and bring down body temperature.
• Rubbing the spine with ice also reduces temperature.
• Adequate rest and relaxation with light clothing in a well ventilation room are essential.
• Once the body temperature comes down and the coating on the tongue reduces, fasting should be discontinued. First fresh fruit juices and later on fresh juicy fruits, raw salads, sprouts and soups could be eaten. Gradually, one should switch over to normal diet.

Heat Exhaustion

It usually occurs when body is exposed to extreme heat, especially when excess clothing is worn and while working in closed, badly ventilated rooms. Symptoms are – fainting, cold and damp skin and feeble or rapid pulse rates. But most cases recover.

Treatment

• The patient should be moved to a cool place and given a brisk rubbing with a cloth dipped in cold water.
• Lemon juice with honey added to hot water will provide the energy required and should be given periodically.
• A cold chest pack will stimulate the heart, promoting normal circulation.
• A cold compress on the forehead is useful.
• If the body temperature is below normal, then the legs should be wrapped with cloth dipped in hot water with a blanket over it.