Dr SURANJIT CHATTERJEE, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Delhi, speaks to ANONNA DUTT about frequent heat-linked sicknesses, explains why kids and the aged are most weak on this season, and urges folks to train indoors until the temperatures plunge .
Why Dr Chatterjee: He has labored within the subject of normal medication for over 25 years, and has expertise in treating each communicable and non-communicable illnesses.
What is heat-related sickness and the way can we defend ourselves from it?
We largely see instances of warmth exhaustion, the place folks really feel extraordinarily torpid after stepping out throughout the day. But the excessive temperatures can also result in a warmth stroke, the place the physique overheats to greater than 40°C (104°F) leading to injury to the organs and neurological dysfunctions. It may end up in fainting, rashes and many others.
The most vital factor is to remain effectively hydrated, particularly when out within the warmth. Hydration may be within the type of water or one thing with electrolytes, corresponding to shikanji. Also, thirst will not be the one good indicator of whether or not it’s good to have extra fluids. So, folks should maintain a observe of how a lot water they’re consuming. The factor that one ought to keep watch over is the urine output, which matches down when an individual is dehydrated.
Other than that, folks should not put on dark-coloured, tight becoming, artificial garments when it’s as sizzling as this. Light-coloured, cotton garments are one of the best. Covering the top additionally helps.
As a lot as attainable, folks ought to keep indoors throughout extraordinarily sizzling hours.
How a lot water or fluids ought to we devour? And, can folks overdo it?
Yes, folks can actually overdo it. I’ve heard folks speaking about consuming water each 20 minutes. That’s not the way it works. The quantity of water consumption will depend on an individual’s well being.
An apparently wholesome, younger particular person ought to drink wherever between 2.5 to three liters of water. Perhaps, an extra 0.5 to 1 liter of water may be had if they’re out within the solar. Anything extra, could overload the kidneys that must work tougher to flush out the additional water. Excess water can also result in electrolyte imbalance, which might trigger its personal set of issues.
Then, there are individuals dwelling with a kidney or a coronary heart illness, they need to not overload themselves with water as it might lead to fluid accumulation within the legs, stomach, and chest, which might in flip result in respiration difficulties. People with such power circumstances must drink wherever between 1 to 1.5 liters of water all through the day. However, this may rely upon the situation of their organs. Anyone who’s on fluid restriction ought to positively get in contact with their doctor to verify how a lot water they need to have.
Having electrolyte-rich fluid is a greater choice when persons are out within the solar. Around two to 3 glasses of shikanji would not be an issue for a wholesome particular person. Again, these with any comorbidities ought to keep watch over what they’re having, for instance, diabetics ought to keep away from ORS options as a result of they’re excessive in sugar content material.
Which part is most weak on this season?
Children under the age of 5 and folks above 65 years are extra weak to the influence of warmth. They should keep away from stepping out throughout the sizzling hours, and in the event that they must, they have to be extraordinarily cautious and keep effectively hydrated. However, the younger, wholesome persons are not fully secure both. They largely represent the working inhabitants and usually tend to step out within the solar.
Also, anyone dwelling with comorbidities corresponding to cardiac illnesses, diabetes, or thyroid is more likely to really feel the impact of solar publicity extra.
Should folks train on this season?
Exercising will not be an issue; exercising when it’s sizzling is. If folks wish to exit for a stroll or a jog, they need to both do it early within the morning between 5-6 am or within the night after 7 pm. People mustn’t do any bodily exercise between 10 am and 6 pm when it’s this sizzling.
And, if folks can train indoors – if they’ve sufficient area at residence or they will be a part of the fitness center – then that’s higher than out of doors train.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
