According to information provided by the Meteorological Department, temperatures are expected to rise in the coming days. Consequently, the Health Department has appealed to the public to exercise caution to protect themselves from the heat. Providing details on the matter, Dr. Harpreet Singh of the Civil Hospital explained that hot winds not only intensify our thirst but also severely affect our bodies—particularly the eyes and skin. When temperatures soar, our body regulates its internal temperature by releasing heat in the form of sweat, a process that leads to dehydration. Once a certain threshold is crossed, this physiological mechanism ceases to function, causing the body’s internal temperature to rise to match the external ambient temperature. This condition is known as heatstroke.
People often tend to take this lightly, assuming they are immune to heatstroke; however, according to reports, it is a highly dangerous medical condition. Children, the elderly, pregnant women, individuals suffering from obesity, heart patients, those in a physically frail condition, and people taking certain medications that affect the body’s chemical balance or blood vessels are at a significantly higher risk of suffering from heatstroke. **Symptoms of Heatstroke**
– Vision darkening or “blacking out”
– Dizziness, confusion, irritability, slurred speech, staggering while walking, vertigo, etc.
– Restlessness and agitation
– Mild to high fever
– A general feeling of being unwell
– Excessive thirst
– Severe headache and vomiting
– Feeling weak or feeble
– Heat-induced jaundice (yellowing of the skin/eyes)
– Reduced sweating despite the heat
– Muscle pain
– Red, hot, and dry skin
– Sweating is a positive sign, as it helps regulate and stabilize body temperature.
**Critical Conditions**
– High fever exceeding 40°C (104–105°F)
– Cessation of sweating while the body remains hot, causing the skin to become dry and clammy
– The patient loses consciousness or becomes severely agitated/delirious
**What to Do When Heatstroke Symptoms Appear**
– Move the person to a shaded area.
– Loosen the person’s clothing.
– Provide fluids for the person to drink.
– Apply cold water compresses to help lower body temperature.
– The patient may be immersed in a bathtub filled with cold water, up to the neck level.
– Do not administer common fever-reducing medications without a doctor’s advice.
– Transport the patient to a hospital as soon as possible.
**How to Prevent Heatstroke During Summer**
– Drink plenty of water whenever stepping out of the house.
– Wear light-colored, loose-fitting, and comfortable cotton clothing; keep your head covered.
– Consume as many fluids as possible—such as water, lemon water, lassi, or ORS solutions.
– Avoid stepping out of the house during the afternoon hours unless absolutely necessary.
**What to Avoid**
– Do not leave the house on an empty stomach.
– Avoid consuming excessively spicy or chili-laden foods.
– [Avoid sudden transitions between] air coolers or air conditioners. – Do not step out into the sun immediately after sitting in a room.
– Avoid venturing outdoors during the afternoon hours.
On this occasion, Dr. Harpreet Singh stated that to prevent heatstroke, one should stay indoors, stay safe, and stay healthy by adhering to the precautions recommended by the Health Department. He emphasized the need to spread awareness.
