Though Nagpur has not witnessed a single patient of heatstroke, the hospitals in the city have kept special wards ready for such patients. Going through the coolest April since 1969, the city did record maximum temperature surpassing 41 degree celsius last week, highest of the season, so far. People are worried as summer heat is set to become harsh in coming couple of months. During summer, citizens tend to suffer from heat wave. With sudden drop in temperature, many are approaching hospitals with complaints of dizziness, weakness, loss of appetite. Every hospital has already created special wards to cater to the patients suffering from heatstroke. Number of cases of dehydration, hyperpyrexia, hyperthermia are being witnessed daily by several hospitals in Nagpur. Government as well as private hospitals have separate ‘cold wards’ to treat patients affected by the heat. Similar is the case with birds as some of the winged friends were found suffering from dehydration. Some groups of bird-lovers and veterinarians are treating such birds. Dr Ravi Chavan, Dean, Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital (IGGMCH), said, “Since heat action plan of Nagpur Municipal Corporation is in place everything is moving smoothly. We haven’t witnessed patient of heatstroke but we have made all arrangements. Apart from creating special ward to admit patients suffering from heatstroke, other wards also have made arrangements to prevent the heat outside. The root cause of rising heat should be identified and some remedy must be chalked out.”

 

Dr Raj Gajbhiye, Dean, Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), informed ‘The Hitavada’, “Because of mixed weather conditions, there are chances that people may suffer from some or the other problems. But initially, we have arranged special ward of 10 beds where patients suffering from heatstroke can be admitted. We have also kept our team of doctors and paramedicals ready to treat such patients in case we receive.” Similar arrangements have been made at isolation hospital run by Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). The rate of sunstroke patients has been reduced due to increasing awareness but patients suffering from Hyperpyrexia has a constant ratio. Hyperpyrexia takes place when body temperature reaches 105 degree centigrade. When body temperature crosses 105 degree centigrade, patients suffer from heat stroke. The patient 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. Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) contains glucose, some salt and potassium, in some measurement Calcium, which helps hydration. “Water should be consumed in large quantity. Along with it, intake of lemon water or buttermilk is must. Pregnant women should also drink clean boiled safe water. In summers, we get attracted by advertisements of soft drinks but we must stay away from them. On the contrary, they increase thirst. Water is the best option in summer to combat dehydration and similar problems”, Dr Amol Samarth, noted Gastroenterologist attached to Super Speciality Hospital, made it clear.