With heat intolerance being a common symptom of dysautonomia, keeping cool will help you make the most of this summer.
How to keep cool this summer
Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of fluids and increasing your salt intake will help to increase your blood volume, which is typically low in pots patients. It is recommended to drink three litres of water throughout the day to maintain a healthy level of hydration.
Adding foods with high water content to your diet, like strawberries, cucumber, and celery, can also be a great way to stay hydrated in the summer weather. Other foods with high fluid content include soups, yoghurts, and jelly.
Avoid alcohol: As well as causing dehydration, alcohol can trigger symptoms in people with many other forms of dysautonomia. Avoiding excessive alcohol is important at all times of the year, but it's even more important during the hot summer months.
Eat light meals: Instead of eating three large meals, eat smaller meals more regularly throughout the day. Eating light, regular meals can help to avoid drops in your blood pressure from having a full stomach.
Cooling your room: Using air conditioning can maintain a comfortable temperature inside during the summer months. Alternatively, using a fan alone can be helpful with temperatures up to around 30 degrees.
If you don't have air conditioning, keep your windows closed during the day and open them at night when the temperature outside has gone down.
Clothing: Wearing light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing can help you maintain a cool body temperature while outside and around the house.
Cool water: Taking a cool bath or shower is a great way to lower your body temperature.
You can also quickly cool yourself down by putting your hands and feet in cold water. Wrists and ankles have lots of pulse points where blood vessels are close to the skin, so you will cool down more quickly.
Avoiding strenuous activity midday: The sun tends to be at its hottest and brightest between 11am and 3pm. If you do spend time outside, take regular breaks in a shaded area.
Useful tools:
When outside, carrying a small portable fan can keep you cool while on the go; they can also be useful while in the car or at work.
A cool mist or spray bottle can also be used to keep cool while outside.
Wearing a cool towel around your neck is another way of lowering your body temperature when in the sun.
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