New Delhi, Apr 24 (PTI) As scorching heat starts to grip various parts of the country, health experts have advised people to be cautious about heat-related problems such as dehydration and heat stroke.
According to medical professionals, the immediate effects of heat typically manifest as skin-related issues that further lead to other complications such as swelling, muscle cramps, fatigue, and dizziness.
Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and hot environments significantly increases the risk of heatstroke, which can prove fatal, they said.
Speaking to PTI, Dr Naval K Vikram, a professor in the Department of Medicine at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, said the heat gives rise to a variety of physical ailments.
"The primary issues caused by the heat are skin-related problems, like heat rashes. The excessive sweating leads to itching and various skin irritations. Many individuals also report complaints of swelling in their hands and feet," Vikram said.
Explaining that excessive sweating results in dehydration, simultaneously depleting sodium and electrolyte levels within the body, he said this can trigger muscle cramps.
This condition is particularly prevalent among individuals who engage in strenuous physical labour during the hot weather, such as daily wage labourers, farmers, and athletes.
"As the heat intensifies, individuals may experience extreme fatigue, headaches, weakness, and nausea," he said.
Vikram added that in severe cases, this can escalate into heatstroke, a critical condition that can impair vital organs such as the brain, heart, and kidneys, and may even prove life-threatening.
There is often a misconception among the public that home remedies suffice for addressing mild heat-related symptoms. However, experts caution that certain warning signs should never be ignored, as doing so could have dangerous consequences.
"Most heat-related ailments can be treated at home. However, if an individual experiences severe muscle cramps, extreme fatigue, intense dizziness, abnormal behaviour, or a continuously rising body temperature, these constitute serious warning signs," Vikram said.
He added that such situations require immediate hospitalisation.
Naveen Srivastava, a 32-year-old employee of a private firm in the national capital, who commutes daily to work via the Metro, remarked that this summer heat has made everyday life extremely difficult.
He said, "Going to the office every day feels nothing short of a challenge.”
"The moment I step out of the house in the morning, it feels as though the sun is scorching my body. By the time I reach the Metro station, I am in a terrible state," he said.
According to medical professionals, staying adequately hydrated throughout the day is essential for protection against the heat. Natural beverages such as coconut water, buttermilk, and lemon water are particularly beneficial.
Experts also advise against venturing out into direct sunlight between 12 pm and 3 pm. However, for street vendors and hawkers, a significant portion of their daily routine is spent on the roadside, exposed to the scorching sun.
Lalit, a fruit vendor operating on the roadside in Delhi’s Mayur Vihar Phase 1 locality, told PTI, "This heat has completely ruined everything. I try to shield myself from the sun by draping cloths around my cart. I have to earn a living, whether it’s sunny or raining, I have to keep working."
Speaking to PTI, Dr Sanchayan Roy of Delhi's Apollo Spectra Hospital said, "Individuals who spend the majority of their time working outdoors in the sun should consume water or fluids every 20 to 30 minutes. To avoid the harsh sunlight, they should use umbrellas, and it is also crucial to keep one's head covered with a cloth, a cap, or a towel."
Roy added that if one experiences dizziness, weakness, or excessive sweating, work should be stopped immediately to rest and drink water.
Extreme heat affects everyone, but children tend to be particularly vulnerable.
Reyansh Sinha, a sixth-grade student returning home from school, is plagued by a unique concern. He remarked, "I am afraid that in the coming years, conditions might deteriorate to such an extent that merely stepping outside the house could result in one's body getting scorched by the sun's heat."
Explaining that children and the elderly possess a reduced capacity to regulate their body temperature. Consequently, they are more susceptible to falling victim to dehydration or heatstroke. He added that individuals with pre-existing conditions, such as heart disease, kidney ailments, or diabetes, also face a heightened risk. All such individuals should exercise extra caution.
During such hot weather, paying close attention to one's diet is also of paramount importance.
Dr Anu Agarwal, a former dietician at AIIMS, Rishikesh, said, "During this season, one should consume light and easily digestible meals. Items such as fruits, salads, yoghurt, buttermilk, coconut water, lemon water, sattu, aam panna (raw mango drink), and bel (wood apple) sherbet provide a cooling effect to the body and help keep it hydrated."
She further noted, "Since gum and chia seeds absorb significant amounts of water, incorporating them into one's diet during the summer helps keep the body feeling refreshed for extended periods."
She further noted, "Conversely, oily and spicy foods slow down the digestive process and generate excess heat within the body."
During the summer, our digestive system is already somewhat weakened. Consequently, consuming heavy meals can exacerbate issues such as gas, vomiting, acidity, and general discomfort, Agarwal said.
"Many people experience a sensation of heaviness and nausea after eating. Therefore, during this season, prioritise light, fresh, and home-cooked meals to ensure the body remains balanced and healthy," she said. PTI RKT SHS
SHS
