A long gap between two spells of rain, when the temperature and humidity shoot up, creates conditions ideal for heat exhaustion and heat stroke, doctors said on Sunday, urging people to take precautions.
The onset of the monsoon — which is yet to arrive in Bengal — may not lead to the disappearance of the possibility of heat exhaustion. Even during the monsoon, the temperature can rise up to a level that can trigger heat-related ailments, said a doctor.
“Fatigue, headache, body ache, vomiting and poor appetite are some of the symptoms of heat exhaustion,” said Sauren Panja, a critical care expert at the RN Tagore International Institute of Cardiac Sciences. People who have to work outdoors for long durations are at greater risk of suffering heat exhaustion, said Panja.
Using umbrellas and drinking adequate fluids can help combat the heat, he said.
Amitabha Saha, head of critical care at AMRI Hospitals, Mukundapur, said heat-related ailments can cause fever with temperatures as high as 103 or 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
“One should also try to drink salted water. If you have three glasses of plain water, then drink one glass of water mixed with salt. This will help compensate for the loss of salts through sweat,” said Saha.
Doctors said the measures to combat heat must continue even during the monsoon. “The temperature and humidity remains high enough during the monsoon to cause heat exhaustion," he said.
A resident of Garia said his 74-year-old mother had to be admitted to the intensive therapy unit of a hospital last week after she felt extremely fatigued and was unable to get up from bed.
“When she was taken to hospital, doctors found that her blood pressure had shot up to 200/100. She was in the hospital for three days,” said the man.
The woman’s pathological tests did not reveal any serious ailments. Doctors said heat exhaustion caused the weakness and the blood pressure to shoot up.
Kolkata received showers after a fortnight on Friday. The rain brought down the temperature but the mercury went up again on Sunday.