Avoid sun & rehydrate: Docs’ advice amid rush at hospitals

Patna: With the soaring temperature not relenting, there has been an increase in the number of patients being admitted to hospitals across the district with heat-related issues like exhaustion, stroke, dehydration and diarrhoeain the last two months.
To avoid such health complications, experts have advised people to stay away from direct sun and rehydrate themselves.
With over 100 people admitted at different block and sub-divisional hospitals alonewith heat-related issues in the past two months, the health facilities have been advised to have dedicated wards with proper cooling. District programme manager (health), Vivek Kumar, said at least five to 10 beds have been earmarked at block and sub-divisional hospitals for patients with extreme heat-related sicknesses, he said.
At Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS), Patna, 38 patients were found being treated for brain haemorrhage — attributed to sudden change in temperature — as on Tuesday. "Sudden change in temperature leads to brain haemorrhage. Say, people stay in cool environment, inside homes or car with air-conditioner running, and suddenly they move out in the sun, witnessing a drastic change in temperature," said IGIMS superintendent Dr Manish Mandal, adding people with co-morbid health issues like kidney or lung failure are also coming.
The cases of heat stroke, dehydration and diarrhoea have multiplied in the past 10 days, said Dr Rajeev Ranjan Prasad, director in-charge at Mahavir Vatsalya Hospital. "Such cases have increased nearly 15%. Hence, people should avoid going out in the sun and ensure they keep themselves hydrated. In case they have to move out, they should cover their head and protect their eyes," said Dr Prasad.
Another city-based physician, Dr Diwakar Tejaswi, said there has been a 20% rise in the number of such patients. "Patients with dehydration, diarrhoea, dysentery, low blood pressure, giddiness and fever due to heat stroke have been coming in large numbers,” he said, advising people to keep themselves rehydrated. “Even if you do not feel thirsty, drink water from time-to-time as thickening of blood could lead to stroke," said Dr Tejaswi.
Assistant professor at Patna Medical College Hospital, Dr Amrendra Prasad Singh said elderly people especially get dehydrated quickly and hence they should stay in cool places, shower twice and keep their body moist.