About 6,500 killed due to heatwaves in India since 2010

Kochi, April 30: Heatwaves have killed more than 6,500 people in India since 2010, and intense heat is putting more stress on organs like heart and lungs as they function beyond their capacity which could be hazardous, according to Principal Investigator for National Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme Dr Naresh Purohit here on Saturday. The rattling and intense climate change-triggered heat wave in India – one of the worst in over a century’s time have caused concerns of illness and death – particularly among vulnerable groups such as the elderly, people with pre-existing medical conditions, and construction and industrial workers, noted Infectious Disease Expert Dr Purohit said. As per weather reports on friday temperatures breached 45 degrees Celsius (113 Fahrenheit) in at least nine Indian cities, Dr Purohit told UNI. “The extreme heat can cause dehydration. It can lead to heat cramps, fatigue and heat syncope (fainting or dizziness). One can be affected by indirect heatstroke without actually venturing out,” he added. Sharing his concern on this issue renowned Epidemiologist Dr Purohit said India and parts of South Asia are reeling under an unprecedented heatwave in April, with dangerously high temperatures setting in much earlier than usual. The extreme temperatures have raised concerns over primary and secondary level health systems, both in the public and private sectors, getting flooded with patients requiring treatment of heat-related illnesses, he said. “As several parts of the country are reeling under an intense heat wave, there could be more admissions in hospitals,” he apprehended. “With the heat stroke, the blood temperature also rises and proteins in the brain curdle. This could lead to neurological damages and sometime even to death,” Dr Purohit said. Highlighting the problem of fungal infection due to excessive heat, he said the fungal infection acquired due to perspiration or profuse sweating isn’t acquired from someone else, it is due to the fungal flora that remains in our body, due to sweating they increase in number and cause infection, he said. “These infections can be in under arms, groins and then spread to other parts of the body. They are very contagious and spread through the body quickly and can also infect other people in vicinity like family members,” he added. He cautioned that those at high risks must be monitored and little extra attention needs to be paid to infants and young children, people 65 years of age or older, obese, those with heart disease or high blood pressure, or who take certain medications, such as for depression, insomnia, or poor circulation. He said one should avoid outdoor activity in the afternoon and wear sunscreen to avoid sub burn and tanning. He suggested drinking plenty of fluids and staying away from very sugary or alcoholic drinks as it could lead to body losing more body fluid. “Excessive sweating removes salt and minerals from the body that need to be replaced. You can replace the salt and minerals you lose through sweat with a sports drink. If you are struggling with diabetes, high blood pressure, or some other medical condition, please concern your doctor before you drink a sports beverage or consume salt tablets,” he explained He said rising temperature increases likeness for drinks as a response to the water content getting removed from the body in the form of sweat. While having plain water is good, adding varieties to it is even better. Natural cooling drinks carry organic ingredients that help us keep going in this sweltering heat and maintain good health, he added. He suggested lemon juice, jeera coriander seeds water, fennel seeds juice helps in lowering the body temperature. UNI