Stay safe, Amdavadis. This heat can kill you
Killer heat takes on a new meaning if you are in Ahmedabad. With temperature swinging between 40-43 degree Celsius, city hospitals recorded more than 1,500 cases of heat-related complaints this fortnight alone. Even short trips in the afternoon can lead to stroke. If left untreated, it can lead to hyperthermia, kidney failure, cardiac arrest, organ failure, brain damage and even death, warn doctors.
According to figures from 108 emergency services, between April 26 and May 7, as many as 180 cases of chest pain and 70 of blood pressure fluctuations were reported in the city. Among all complaints, the cases of abdominal pain were the highest at 406. A total of 1,598 cases of various heat-related complaints were recorded in the city during this period. Nitu Verma, 32, steps out of her house every day at 1 pm to pick up child from the pick-up point where the school bus drops her daughter. All this takes only 10-15 minutes. A few days ago, she woke up with fever and vomiting. The doctor diagnosed it as heatstroke and put her on saline drip for an entire day. When body temperature exceeds 40°C (104°F), it may lead to heat stroke which can cause a number of ailments and even death. Heat exhaustion should be treated as a medical emergency, say health experts.
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Doctors warn that outings as short as just 10 minutes in the afternoon could lead to a stroke. While milder impact of heat like dehydration, fever and vomiting are common, negligence could lead to increased blood pressure, chest and abdominal pain. In extreme conditions, one could suffer organ damage and death as well.
“Forget an hour, if someone is exposed to direct heat for just 10 minutes, s/he can suffer a heat stroke. Of course, that depends on the history of heat exposure and the person’s immunity as well,” says Dr Nikhil Lala, CEO of Global Hospital.
According to him, if the stroke remains untreated, it can lead to kidney failure, hyperthermia, cardiac arrest, system damage, brain damage and even death. He adds that thanks to increasing awareness, such severe cases are rare. Nitu’s stroke came as a shock, confesses her husband Rakesh Verma. “Now I try not to let my family go out in the heat. We also make sure we remain hydrated,” he says. The initial symptoms of heat stroke are headache, dizziness and vomiting, says Dr Maharshi Desai, physician and critical care specialist at Apollo Hospital. “Heat stroke is potentially life threatening. Elderly and children are more susceptible to heat stroke and should avoid going out in the heat,” he adds. Pointing out at a dangerous phenomenon, he says, “This scorching heat has always been there but environmental conditions are also responsible.
As humidity increases, the chances of heat stroke increase. I have observed that in past few years, common people like rickshaw drivers are suffering from heat stroke. Elderly people with medical problems can also have a heat stroke sitting inside their homes.” He says he gets two to three cases of heat stroke every day on an average. Dr Janardan Jethva, a paediatrician in Ghatlodia, says, “In last 15 days, the cases of seizures along with dehydration fever have increased due to aggravated temperature. The cases of viral fever, cold and cough and diarrhoea have also gone up.”
He advises parents to be extra cautious. “There are a lot of social functions in this season, which require travelling. If possible, parents should avoid taking children along with them. If they must, children should be dressed in full clothes and their heads covered with wet napkin.” Drinking cold water immediately after entering the house is a strict no-no, he says, explaining that the body should be allowed to cool down to room temperature on its own. Dr Kalpesh Talati, physician at Zydus Hospital, advises people to wear white clothes and use umbrella while going out in the afternoon. “Those who suffer from diabetes or any such ailment should keep ORS or salt and sugar handy,” he says.
AMC in action
Talking about Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation’s heat action plan, Bhavin Solanki, medical officer of AMC, says, “We issue alerts as per IMD’s data. In case of red alert, we ask people to stay indoors and urge them to wear mask, dupatta and helmet if they must step out. We also keep AMC-run gardens open during summers and instruct builders to relieve labourers from construction work in the afternoon.” He adds that ORS is also available at urban health centres. “AMC white-washes the roofs of houses in slums and provides jute rags to cover the roof, both of which help reduce temperature inside the house.”
‘2.30-3.30 pm is the worst hour’
As per the IMD forecast, temperature will remain between 41 and 43 degree Celsius this week. Jayanta Sarkar, regional director of IMD, says, “There is already yellow alert in city . Temperature has dipped in past days due to strong South Westerly winds. Another factor is also wind and increase in humidity in the atmosphere. With temperature set to rise, one should avoid going out in the heat, and instead try to stay in cool places. The peak hour of heat starts from 11am and continues till 5 pm but the worst hour is between 2:30 pm and 3:30 pm.”
STAY SAFE
• Increase liquid intake
• Stay indoors in the afternoon
• Avoid working in the open and exposure to direct heat
• Use an umbrella when out in the afternoon
• Cover yourself with wet napkin
• Do not delay consulting a doctor if required
According to figures from 108 emergency services, between April 26 and May 7, as many as 180 cases of chest pain and 70 of blood pressure fluctuations were reported in the city. Among all complaints, the cases of abdominal pain were the highest at 406. A total of 1,598 cases of various heat-related complaints were recorded in the city during this period. Nitu Verma, 32, steps out of her house every day at 1 pm to pick up child from the pick-up point where the school bus drops her daughter. All this takes only 10-15 minutes. A few days ago, she woke up with fever and vomiting. The doctor diagnosed it as heatstroke and put her on saline drip for an entire day. When body temperature exceeds 40°C (104°F), it may lead to heat stroke which can cause a number of ailments and even death. Heat exhaustion should be treated as a medical emergency, say health experts.
Read also:
Amdavadis can’t get documents they need as termite-infested files choke fire station
Doctors warn that outings as short as just 10 minutes in the afternoon could lead to a stroke. While milder impact of heat like dehydration, fever and vomiting are common, negligence could lead to increased blood pressure, chest and abdominal pain. In extreme conditions, one could suffer organ damage and death as well.
“Forget an hour, if someone is exposed to direct heat for just 10 minutes, s/he can suffer a heat stroke. Of course, that depends on the history of heat exposure and the person’s immunity as well,” says Dr Nikhil Lala, CEO of Global Hospital.
According to him, if the stroke remains untreated, it can lead to kidney failure, hyperthermia, cardiac arrest, system damage, brain damage and even death. He adds that thanks to increasing awareness, such severe cases are rare. Nitu’s stroke came as a shock, confesses her husband Rakesh Verma. “Now I try not to let my family go out in the heat. We also make sure we remain hydrated,” he says. The initial symptoms of heat stroke are headache, dizziness and vomiting, says Dr Maharshi Desai, physician and critical care specialist at Apollo Hospital. “Heat stroke is potentially life threatening. Elderly and children are more susceptible to heat stroke and should avoid going out in the heat,” he adds. Pointing out at a dangerous phenomenon, he says, “This scorching heat has always been there but environmental conditions are also responsible.
As humidity increases, the chances of heat stroke increase. I have observed that in past few years, common people like rickshaw drivers are suffering from heat stroke. Elderly people with medical problems can also have a heat stroke sitting inside their homes.” He says he gets two to three cases of heat stroke every day on an average. Dr Janardan Jethva, a paediatrician in Ghatlodia, says, “In last 15 days, the cases of seizures along with dehydration fever have increased due to aggravated temperature. The cases of viral fever, cold and cough and diarrhoea have also gone up.”
He advises parents to be extra cautious. “There are a lot of social functions in this season, which require travelling. If possible, parents should avoid taking children along with them. If they must, children should be dressed in full clothes and their heads covered with wet napkin.” Drinking cold water immediately after entering the house is a strict no-no, he says, explaining that the body should be allowed to cool down to room temperature on its own. Dr Kalpesh Talati, physician at Zydus Hospital, advises people to wear white clothes and use umbrella while going out in the afternoon. “Those who suffer from diabetes or any such ailment should keep ORS or salt and sugar handy,” he says.
AMC in action
Talking about Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation’s heat action plan, Bhavin Solanki, medical officer of AMC, says, “We issue alerts as per IMD’s data. In case of red alert, we ask people to stay indoors and urge them to wear mask, dupatta and helmet if they must step out. We also keep AMC-run gardens open during summers and instruct builders to relieve labourers from construction work in the afternoon.” He adds that ORS is also available at urban health centres. “AMC white-washes the roofs of houses in slums and provides jute rags to cover the roof, both of which help reduce temperature inside the house.”
‘2.30-3.30 pm is the worst hour’
As per the IMD forecast, temperature will remain between 41 and 43 degree Celsius this week. Jayanta Sarkar, regional director of IMD, says, “There is already yellow alert in city . Temperature has dipped in past days due to strong South Westerly winds. Another factor is also wind and increase in humidity in the atmosphere. With temperature set to rise, one should avoid going out in the heat, and instead try to stay in cool places. The peak hour of heat starts from 11am and continues till 5 pm but the worst hour is between 2:30 pm and 3:30 pm.”
STAY SAFE
• Increase liquid intake
• Stay indoors in the afternoon
• Avoid working in the open and exposure to direct heat
• Use an umbrella when out in the afternoon
• Cover yourself with wet napkin
• Do not delay consulting a doctor if required
Doctors warn people against venturing out in the heat, especially between 11 am and 5 pm; Photo: Nilkanth Dave
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