Avoid non-essential outdoor activities, say doctors

Several people brought to city hospitals with heatstroke symptoms.

LAHORE: As maximum temperature in the shade in Lahore rose to 44 centigrade on Monday, several people showing symptoms of heatstroke were brought to city hospitals. Doctors have advised people to take precautions to avoid heatstroke.

“If someone faints or becomes dizzy due to heat, just get them indoors and pour water on them,” Dr Sohaib Zaidi, a consultant physician at Mayo Hospital, said. He said that an emergency service, such as Rescue 1122, should be immediately contacted.

“During the time rescuers arrive, try to get the victim to drink water. Give them mouth-to-mouth resuscitation if the condition worsens,” he said. He said that if a person experiences spasms in the stomach area, feet or hands during the hot weather, he should immediately move into shade and rest.

“If muscle spasms continue for more than an hour, one must seek medical attention without further delay,” he said.

Zaidi said that people should avoid non-essential physical activities in the sun.

Dr Aftab Ashraf at Jinnah Hospital said that some heatstroke patients had been brought to the hospital. “There is no need to be alarmed. People should just take precaution while working outdoors. If it is necessary to go out in the sun, they must cover their heads and their hands,” he said.

Aftab Ashraf said that parents should take extra care of children while sending them out.

Dr Farhan Gohar at Services Hospital said that around six to seven patients with heat related symptoms were being brought to the hospital everyday. “The government has not set up a specific counter for heatstroke patients so far,” he said. Health Department spokesman Akhlaq Ali Khan said that all teaching hospitals had been directed to take precautionary steps for the recovery of people who had suffered a heatstroke.

“All arrangements have been taken in the hospitals. Special counters have not been set up so far because the situation is not very alarming,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 17^th, 2016.