The environment and atmosphere certainly has an effect on how we feel and how our bodies function.

Earlier this week, we were still basking in the summer sun. But with the sudden change to clouds and rain, our inner temperature control may have got confused and will need time to adjust.

Going from hot to cool in a relatively short time causes some people to suffer with congested sinuses, blocked ears and a muzzy head.

Drinking warm ginger, basil, sage or lemon balm tea will help clear the head.

Many of you may have suffered from heat exhaustion as an effect of the recent heatwave, resulting in headaches, lethargy, drowsiness, muzzy head or dizziness and exhaustion.

I certainly felt the symptoms of heat exhaustion myself and had to take measures to rebalance my body.

During excessively hot weather, we lose a lot of water and salt in our sweat, even if we do not expose ourselves to the sun.

The skin and body tissues swell up due to the effect of heat.

Dehydration makes you feel exhausted, sleepy, lethargic and unable to concentrate.

You can get leg cramps, headaches and even diarrhoea and vomiting. Some people may suffer sinus congestion and blocked ears due to swelling of blood vessels in the nose and may even have nosebleeds.

Children are particularly sensitive due to their delicate bodies.

So what can we do to avoid heat stroke and heat exhaustion? Resting in shaded areas or cool rooms will help cool the body down but the most important thing is to drink plenty of water.

In a heatwave, it is possible to lose three to four litres of water, along with salt, just through sweating.

Here is what I do: Add two or three heaped teaspoons of glucose (take care if you are diabetic) to a large glass of water, with a cupful of fruit juice to provide natural vitamin C and vitamins and a quarter teaspoon of rock salt or sea salt (use ordinary salt if these are not available).

Drink this oral rehydration formula several times a day.

It is not good to drink too much tea, coffee or alcohol during very hot weather as these work as strong diuretics and dehydrate you even more.

Instead, Ayurveda advises drinking pitta balance herb tea (fire balance).

My mixture contains mint, lemon balm, ginger, lemon verbena and lemongrass. It is soothing and refreshing.

Another Ayurvedic diet remedy is to drink lassi - the traditional Indian yogurt drink.

Make it by blending half a cup of natural live yogurt with an equal amount of water, a quarter teaspoon of salt (avoid salt if you suffer from hypertension, heart disease or oedema) and a teaspoon each of sugar, cumin and coriander powder.

Finally, add some ice. Not only is this a refreshing drink, it's nourishing, too.

Dr Milind Jani works as a conventional and holistic GP and Dr Asmita Jani as Ayurvedic Consultant from 3 Eaton Gardens, Hove. Call them on: 01273 777448 or e-mail: milind.jani@ntlworld.com