KARACHI: What should one do to fight off the heat?
The EDO health for the city, Dr Zafar Ijaz, advises citizens to stay indoors, in the comfort of their air conditioners and fans. “People should try to remain inside their homes and avoid unnecessary outings,”
A heat wave in the city has taken 529 lives. Bodies are piling at public hospitals and the Edhi morgue at Sohrab Goth- the only in the city is out of space.
Fasting and going without food and water for upto 15 hours has worsened the situation. Dr Ijaz, advised citizens to increase their water intake if they want to prevent a heat stroke.
“It is best to avoid outside food, and easy-to-digest food cooked at home,” he said.
Dr Seemi Jamali, head of emergency JPMC, said that people visiting the hospital are victims of heat stroke. “They are often pronounced dead on arrival,” she said reported Aaj News.
Heat strokes are causes when the body looses water, making blood thicker and thus causing the heart and kidney to fail.
What is a Heat Stroke?
Heat stroke is a condition in which body temperature increases from 104 F usually as a result of physical exertion in extreme heat. Although it is a preventable illness, it requires emergency treatment. If it is not treated after heat exhaustion, it can lead to multi-organ failure and death.
Symptoms of Heat Stroke:
| High body temperature: Body temperature rises from 104 F |
| Altered mental state and behavior: Confusion, agitation, slurred speech, irritability, delirium, seizures and coma can all result from heatstroke. |
| Nausea and vomiting: Patient may feel sick to their stomach |
| Flushed Skin: Patients skin may turn red as the body temperature increases. |
| Rapid Breathing: Heat stroke patient’s breathing may become rapid and shallow. |
| High Heart Rate: Heart pulse may increase as the body puts too much pressure on the heart to cool down. |
| Headache: Patient may suffer from severe headaches. |
First Aid for Heat Stroke:
According to American family physician, it is an emergency situation and the patient should seek medical assistance immediately. While waiting for the medical assistance, it is important to cool down the overheated body of the patient. First aid for heat stroke patients consist of three steps:
- Get them to a shady cool area
- Remove any access clothing
- Cool the person with whatever means available. E.g place ice packs, fan while misting cool water etc.
