Beware of heatstroke this summer

Beware of heatstroke this summer 

Fortis Escorts Hospital Doctors shares common symptoms and tips to protect yourself from a heatstroke 

Jaipur, May 2024: Summer season comes along with the scorching sun and that brings with it the risk of heatstroke. Even though the summer season has just begun, a large part of North India is already witnessing increased cases of heatstroke and other related diseases. There needs to be awareness on precautionary measures related to heat induced illnesses as it is a matter of great health concern for those spending a lot of time outdoors. 

Dr. Praveen Kanojiya, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine at Fortis Escorts Hospital, Jaipur shares common signs and symptoms of heat stroke and also sheds light on ways to protect oneself from the heatwave.  

As and when the temperature rises above 40 degrees, more and more people are exposed to heat and this may lead to heat related illnesses as well - heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Heat exhaustion is common when the core body temperature goes beyond 37 degrees. The common signs of this condition are non-specific and may be manifested as malaise or lethargic feeling, increased thirst, loss of appetite/anorexia, weakness and fatique, headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, raised body temperature or hyperthermia, confusion and decreased urine output. One can suffer from heat stroke without heat wave too. This is called as exertional heatstroke and it mainly affects young, active people. 

Dr Kanojiya, said, "Generally people get to know if they're suffering from a heat stroke when the body starts giving signals of overheating just like a car carburetor does. If the signs get neglected and undiagnosed, the patients are at high risk of altered mental status, confusion, slurred speech, irritability, delirium, seizures and even coma. In some cases, it may further lead to multi-organ dysfunction along with other major risk factors. Patients suffering from co-morbidities such as chronic heart diseases, lung or kidney disease and above 65 should avoid walking, exercising in hot weather conditions.” 

 Dr Praveen Kanojiya shares a few tips for all to protect oneselves from heatwave: 

• Wear loose-fitted lightweight clothing 
• Carry an umbrella or white brimmed hat 
• To protect against sunburn, use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, use it liberally. Also, make use of umbrella, sunglass etc. People suffering from skin ailments and contagious diseases must avoid direct sunlight at any cost. 
• With rising temperatures, the most common problem to hit people is dehydration, especially those who work outdoors. Not staying hydrated can cause health issues such as nausea, excessive sweating, dry mouth, dizziness, headache etc. So, avoid heat exposure and do not forget to stay hydrated. 
• Use ORS, homemade drinks like lassi, lemon water, buttermilk, etc. to keep yourself hydrated. Avoid consuming drinks such as soda, alcohol, and other beverages that are loaded with sugar. This can cause your body to dehydrate further. 
• Choose early morning or late evening for daily exercises, take rest in between and keep yourself hydrated 
• Whenever you go shopping or while running errands, never leave anyone in a parked car, especially the elderly or children, as the temperature of the car rises by 20 degrees C within 10 minutes 
• Indulge in foods with high fibre and water to regulate your body's hydration levels. Avoid eating heavy meals as it can lead to a disturbed digestive system 
• Review the dosage of medication with your doctor