Heatstroke patients on rise, hospitals keep special wards ready

With the mercury constantly on rise, above 47 degree celsius, number of people approaching hospitals with complaint of heatstroke are rising. Every hospital has already created special wards to treat patients of heatstroke. Number of cases of dehydration, hyperpyrexia, hyperthermia being witnessed daily by several hospitals in Nagpur. Government as well as private hospitals have separate cold wards to treat patients affected by scorching heat. Cases of birds, too, have been noticed in Nagpur on Monday, suffering from dehydration. Some groups of bird-lovers and veterinarians are treating the birds. Dr P P Joshi, Head, Department of Medicine at Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital (IGGMCH) said, “Since heat action plan of Nagpur Municipal Corporation is in place everything is moving smoothly. But we now are receiving patients suffering from heat on regular basis.

The root cause of rising heat should be identified and some remedy must be chalked out. Every season passes on but the condition is changing every year.” Dr Yogendra Bansod, Head, Department of Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), informed ‘The Hitavada’, “Cases of heatstroke or other heat related difficulty are on rise. Everyday at least 4 to 5 persons are approaching GMCH with a complaint of heat related problem. In last 4 days, four patients of heatstroke were admitted, three were discharged while one died. We have created a separate cold ward of 10 beds and trying our best but people must take care of themselves.”

Dr Sarita Kamdar, Deputy Director of Health at Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), also endorsed what Dr Joshi and Dr Bansod said. She explained, “As usual, we have kept our Isolation Hospital ready. At OPD, there are more than 200 patients came with complaints related to heatstroke at OPD. Some got admitted but their condition was not serious.” The rate of heatstroke patients has been reduced due to increasing awareness but patients suffering from Hyperpyrexia has a constant ratio. Hyperpyrexia causes when temperature of human body reaches 105 degree centigrade. When body temperature crosses 105 degree centigrade, patients suffer from heatstroke. If temperature crosses 105 then it is difficult to stabilise it. Person lands into multi-organ failure, and loss of thermal autoregulation observed. Brain cannot control it and hyperpyrexia continues. In such situation, mortality is very high. Such patients require early management.

Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) contained glucose, some salt and potassium, in some measurement Calcium. “One should drink plenty of water to prevent urine infection. Pregnant women should also drink clean boiled safe water. Soft drinks as popularly advertised on television do not quench the thirst on the contrary they increase thirst. Water is the best option in summer to combat dehydration and similar problems”, pointed out Dr Sudhir Gupta, noted Gastroenterologist.