About 30% rise in heatrelated illnesses, say Delhi doctors

There has been about 30% increase in the number of patients coming in with heat-related fever, cramps and fainting over the past two-three days since the temperatures soared in the city, say doctors in Delhi.

Excessive exposure to direct sunlight may also results in heat stroke, the most severe form of heat-related ailment. It may affect the brain and other organs. Doctors, however, are yet to see cases of heat stroke that usually start pouring around mid-June.

“With the rise in temperature, there is also a corresponding increase in the number of patients coming in with heat-related illnesses. Since the temperature crossed 45 degrees, I have noticed around 30% increase in such cases in my out-patient department,” says Dr Suranjit Chatterjee, senior consultant, department of internal medicine, Indraprastha Apollo hospital.

Dr SP Byotra from department of medicine at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, says, “There has been a 25-30% rise in cases of heat exhaustion, heat syncope and fainting. These are people who were exposed to direct sun during peak hours. People who experience fever, cramps and dehydration should not take things lightly and see a doctor,” he said.

Do not wait for over 24 hours. “People tend to think that it is natural to feel exhausted or thirsty during the summers, so they tend to ignore the symptoms. Exhaustion, cramps or fever are symptoms of heat exposure,” says Dr Byotra.

Warm weather also leads to increased cases of water-borne illnesses.

“This happens every summer as the temperature soars. This is because high temperature prompts people to drink water, even from vendors outdoor, which may be contaminated. The hospital is receiving more cases of jaundice, typhoid and diarrhoea. It is always best to carry boiled or filtered water,” said Dr Chatterjee.

Doctors advise against stepping out during peak hours that is between noon and 3pm, or if it is absolutely necessary then drink adequate water, wear loose-fitting light coloured clothes.

“Also, when stepping out of air-conditioned spaces, it is better to acclimatise with the outside temperature. This can be done either by switching off the AC at home or in the car at least five minutes before stepping out or in case of an office space that is centrally air-conditioned, people must wait five minutes in a shaded area before stepping out in the direct sun,” he said.