Avoid direct sun, stay hydrated: Doctors advise caution against unbearable heat

Lucknow: With persistent heat wave giving rise to cases of dehydration, diarrhoea, indigestion and heat strokes, experts have cautioned people to avoid exposure to direct sun between 10:30am and 4:00pm and keep themselves hydrated.

Government doctors have also been advised by the health department to ensure adequate stock of necessary medications to deal with such cases.

They have been asked to put the health of those who are most at risk like children, pregnant women, elderly, and people with co-morbidities, first in order to shield them from the harmful effects of heat.

According to officials of outpatient departments (OPDs) and inpatient departments (IPDs) of renowned government hospitals there has been considerable rise in cases of dehydration, diarrhoea, indigestion and heat strokes in recent days.

At King George’s Medical University (KGMU), three to four cases of heat stroke are reported daily. In addition, 80 to 100 cases of dehydration, diarrhoea, indigestion and low blood pressure too are being reported every day. This is sharp contrast to figures just a week ago when number of such cases were 20 to 30.

The 700 patients that Lokbandhu Hospital sees each day, include 120 to 150 who have heat-related ailments. Notably, just 10 days before, similar problems impacted only 40–50 people.

At SPM Civil and Balrampur hospitals the number of patients seeking treatment for summer illnesses has increased from 50 to 150 daily in less than a week.

Prof KK Gupta of KGMU medicine department said people are experiencing severe stomach ache and vomiting due to excessive consumption of junk food and seeds, resulting in dyspepsia. “It is crucial for people to be aware that hot weather can trigger stomach upsets,” he added.

Medical superintendent of Lokbandhu Hospital, Dr Ajay Tripathi, said extremely hot weather poses a greater risk to pregnant women, infants and the elderly. They should take extra precautions, including avoiding the hottest part of the day, staying hydrated, and wearing loose-fitting.

Echoing similar sentiments, chief medical superintendent of Balrampur Hospital Dr GP Gupta, said: “Scorching heat can manifest heat rash, heat cramps, heat syncope and heat exhaustion. Immediate medical attention should be sought if any of these symptoms are experienced.”