With maximum temperature in Dehradun and other places located in plain areas of the State hovering around 40 degrees Celsius, chances of one catching up with the heatstroke are really high. The rising mercury has also resulted in spurt in number of cases of diarrhoea and fever in the hospitals of the State.
Heat stroke is a condition triggered by combined effect of heat and humidity when the cooling mechanism of the body fails and its temperature rises abruptly.
The doctors describe heatstroke as a condition caused by overheating of the body usually due to prolonged exposure to or physical exertion in high temperature. Generally physicians call a person suffering from heatstroke when his/ her body temperature rises to 40 degrees Celsius. Heatstroke requires emergency treatment as it can quickly damage brain, heart, kidneys and muscles. The damage worsens the longer treatment is delayed, increasing the risk of serious complications or even death.
The temperature conditions in excess of 40 degrees and high humidity levels triggers heat stroke in the people.
The Senior Physician at Doon hospital here, Dr Mukesh Sundariyal informed that the best defence against heat stroke is drinking plenty of water and other things which are liquid. He suggested that one should avoid going out during day time to evade the furry of sun.
The symptoms of the disease are high body temperature, altered mental state like confusion, irritability and slurred speech, alteration in sweating, nausea, vomiting, rosy skin, rapid breathing, high pulse rate and severe headache. The doctor said that one should take immediate medical advice when one experiences some of the above mentioned symptoms.
“The best way is to get out of the heat quickly and rest in a cool shady place. One should drink plenty of water or other fluids containing sugar and salt. Avoid alcohol as it can further aggravate the condition,’’ Dr Sundariyal said.
The children and elderly are more susceptible to the heatstroke. The paediatrics are of the view that since infants do not know to hydrate themselves or move out of a heated place so it up to their parents to ensure that they drink plenty of water and are kept in cool places. To avoid diarrhoea the physicians advice that they should eat freshly cooked food and consume safe drinking water. The doctors also highlight the role of good personal and food hygiene to prevent the infection.