PUNJAB HEALTH DEPT ISSUES ADVISORY FOR PROTECTION AGAINST POSSIBLE HEAT WAVE

 

— HEALTH MINISTER ADVISES TO BE VIGILANT TO AVOID HEAT STROKE IN THE COMING DAYS

 

— HOSPITALS SHOULD GEAR-UP TO TREAT PATIENTS AFFECTED BY INTENSE HEAT, SAYS DR BALBIR SINGH

 

Chandigarh, May 8:

Keeping in mind the forecast made by the weather department regarding the imminent surge in temperature in the coming days, Punjab Health and Family Welfare department on Monday issued an advisory to protect people from heat waves. This advisory was issued on the special instructions of Punjab Health & Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh so that people could protect themselves from illnesses caused due to intense heat during the summer season.

Notably, if the temperature of any plain area reaches 40 degrees or more, 37 degrees or more for coastal areas and 30 degrees or more for hilly areas, the condition is termed a heat wave. These high temperatures disrupt the body’s temperature regulation system and lead to heat-related illnesses.

Urging the people to follow the advisory issued by the health department, Dr Balbir Singh said that the chances of a heat wave are more during the months of May and June, and during this period the common people especially the people, who fall in the high risk category, need to be vigilant. Attention should be paid to the local weather news through TV, Radio, Newspaper, etc. Apart from this, the latest weather update can be obtained from the Meteorological Department website http:/mausam.imd.gov.in/, he said, advising people to  plan their daily activities according to the forecast.

Director Health and Family Welfare Dr Adarshpal Kaur said that detailed instructions have been issued to all the civil surgeons of the state, besides directing them to make complete arrangements in the hospitals for the care of the patients affected by the heat stroke.

 

  DO’s AND DON’Ts TO PREVENT HEAT STROKE

 

AT HIGHER RISK:

 

• Newborns and young children

 

• Pregnant women

 

• 65 years old or above

 

• Labourers

 

• Persons Suffering from obesity

 

• People who have mental illness

 

• Those who are physically ill, especially who have heart disease or high blood pressure

 

DO’s:

 

• Do outdoor work in the cool part of the day i.e. morning and evening

 

• Drink water every half an hour even if not thirsty. People with epilepsy or heart disease, kidney or liver disease who are on a fluid-restricted diet should consult a doctor before increasing their water intake

 

• Wear light coloured full sleeved clothing when working outdoors. Try to wear only cotton clothes in summer

 

• Use an umbrella, hat, towel turban or dupatta to cover your head from direct sunlight

 

• Do not go out barefoot, always wear shoes or slippers when going out in the sun

 

• People who work in the sun should rest in the shade or keep a wet cloth on their head to maintain the body temperature

 

• Always carry water when going out in the sun

 

• Eat seasonal fruits and vegetables, such as watermelon, oranges, grapes, cucumbers and tomatoes, as they are high in water content

 

• Offer water to people who come to your home or office for delivery of goods or food

 

• Use and increase the intake of homemade drinks like lemon water, lassi, coconut water

 

• Wear sunscreen to protect your skin and dark goggles to protect your eyes

 

• Eat small meals and eat more often

 

• Bathe frequently in cold water

 

• Adding straw on roofs or growing vegetables keeps the temperature low

 

• If exercising, start slowly and eventually increase it over a few days to adjust to the rising body temperature

 

• Traditional remedies like onion salad and eating raw mango with salt and cumin seeds can prevent heat stroke

 

DON’Ts

 

• Avoid going out in the sun, especially between 12 noon to 3 pm

 

• Avoid cooking during peak summer hours, keep doors and windows open to ventilate the kitchen area well

 

• Avoid alcohol, tea, coffee, and carbonated and extra-sweetened beverages, as they actually deplete body fluids

 

• Avoid fried food, do not eat stale food

 

• Do not leave children or pets in a locked vehicle

 

SYMPTOMS WHICH REQUIRES IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION

 

 

• Altered mental balance with restlessness, difficulty in speaking, irritability, ataxia, slurred speech, slurred speech, seizures etc

 

• Hot, red and dry skin

 

• When Body temperature rises to 40 degrees or higher

 

• Severe headache

 

• Anxiety, dizziness, fainting and mild headache

 

• Muscle weakness or spasms lasting more than an hour

 

• Vomiting (nausea)

 

• Rapid heartbeat

 

• Shortness of breath