AIIMS doctors advise precautions as Delhi heatwave triggering rise in dehydration, heat stroke cases

Doctors from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences AIIMS have urged people to take preventive measures against heatrelated illnesses as soaring temperatures continue to impact several parts of the countryDr Piyush Ranjan Additional Professor in the Department of Medicine at AIIMS Delhi said that cases of dehydration and heat stroke tend to rise sharply whenever temperatures increaseWhenever the temperature rises health problems related to heat begin to appear The first and mildest condition is dehydration in which the body loses water and salts he saidHe warned that dehydration can progress to heat stroke commonly known as loo lagna and in severe situations patients may even lose consciousnessHighlighting precautionary measures Dr Ranjan advised people to avoid stepping outdoors during peak afternoon hoursAs far as possible people should avoid going outdoors between 11 am and 4ndash5 pm when temperatures are at their peak he saidHe added that if venturing outside is unavoidable people should wear fullsleeved clothes fulllength trousers and keep their heads covered with caps scarves or turbans He also recommended the use of umbrellas and staying indoors whenever possibleDr Ranjan stressed the importance of proper hydration before going outdoorsPeople should drink sufficient water before stepping outside Ideally one or two litres of water should be consumed before leaving home While outdoors people should also consume electrolytes or ORS to maintain the balance of water and salts in the body and prevent dehydration he saidDr Neeraj Nishchal Professor in the Department of Medicine said plain water alone may not be sufficient during extreme heat conditions because the body loses salts through sweatingIt is important to understand that drinking only plain water is not enough because during extreme heat the body loses not just water but also salt through sweating Therefore ORS solutions or electrolytes are considered more beneficial he saidHe also suggested consuming traditional drinks and foods such as Bel ka Sharbat shikanji and lentil water to help the body stay hydrated during the heatwaveAccording to Dr Nishchal hospitals are witnessing a growing number of heatwaverelated health complaints The most common symptoms include dehydration weakness dizziness headaches excessive sweating vomiting and low blood pressureIn severe cases heat stroke is being reported where the body temperature rises dangerously high Patients may suffer from high fever unconsciousness confusion and sometimes even seizures he saidHe added that elderly people children pregnant women and individuals suffering from illnesses such as diabetes or heart disease are among the most vulnerable groups during extreme heat conditionsThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever