Prevention: ‘Stay hydrated to avoid sun stroke’

Jinnah Hospital MS advises against excessive exposure to the sun.

LAHORE: “Heat strokes can be fatal if preventive measures are not taken,” Jinnah Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Abdul Rauf said on Sunday.

He said sun strokes occurred due to the failure of body’s heat-regulating mechanism.

He said elderly people were particularly prone to sun strokes.

He said heat strokes symptoms included loss of water through perspiration. He said dehydration caused the body temperature to shoot up to dangerous levels.

The medical superintendent said those experiencing such symptoms should be immediately moved to a cooler place and given cold water.

He said soaking arms and legs in cold water helps restore blood circulation.

He said people experiencing symptoms of heat stroke should also drink salt water solutions.

He advised people to avoid excessive exposure to the sun and stay indoors.

He also advised them to cover their heads and neck while going out.

The Jinnah Hospital medical superintendent said that plenty of chilled drinks with a dash of salt was a good preventive measure.

He said lassi, sattu, shakkar sharbat and lemon water, he said these were healthier than sodas.

Summer care for animals

Lahore Zoo Director Muhammad Naeem Bhatti on Sunday said a vitamin and glucose-rich diet was essential for animals in this season.

He said most people did not realise that dehydration posed a serious threat to animals as well.

The Jinnah Hospital MS said animals should be kept in cool rooms during the day.

He said bamboo blinds had been hung on the windows of cages and enclosures to protect Lahore Zoo animals from the heat.

He said vets examined zoo animals twice a day. 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 2^nd, 2014.