Dubai: Exposure to both searing outdoor heat and super cool indoor air conditioning can wreak havoc on the human body, warn members of the UAE medical community.
Increasing respiratory disorders in the UAE are growing more common in hotter months because the body’s internal thermostat finds it difficult to regulate the drastic change in temperatures.
“During summers, as climate is hot and humid, people tend to sweat more, which increases the chances of respiratory allergies and infections due to dust particles and sweat, triggering sore throat and dry cough,” said Dr Prashant Chittaranjan Sharma, specialist ENT surgeon at Prime Hospital on Wednesday.
While outside temperatures soar into the high 40s Celsius and humidity goes beyond 95 per cent, the temperature indoors is usually kept at 16-17C, explained another doctor.
“This difference in temperatures impacts our bodies greatly. Besides, extremely fine dust particles that are suspended in the atmosphere enter our system. Dust contains fungi spores or even microbes, and heat and humidity exacerbate the problem,” Dr Khaldoun Tabbah, specialist pulmonologist at RAK Hospital told Gulf News in an earlier interview.
Dr Sharma also explained that, during summers, people tend to avoid spending time outdoors, which could make them deficient in Vitamin D, given the lack of sunlight exposure.
“Remaining indoors for a long time eventually without enough sunlight exposure leads to Vitamin D deficiency and, as a result, a weak immune system, which puts a person at higher risk of recurrent cough and cold,” he said.
He added that during summers people also drink chilled liquids and drinks. “This is leading to vasoconstriction, thereby increasing chances of cold and cough along with worsening of gastroesophageal reflux,” he said.
Dr Tabbah said the hospital registers a high turnout of patients with respiratory disorders during summer. “In such weather, people who are already susceptible to respiratory infections — children below two years, pregnant women, people with history of asthma, diabetes and those above 65 years — often fall prey to respiratory disorders.”
Dust particles trigger respiratory allergies and humidity makes it difficult to breathe. People get psychologically stressed with heavy breathing and this in turn impacts the heart, blood circulation and causes more complications, said Dr Tabbah.
Treatment:
Use saline spray to clear the nose and keep mucus loose.
Simple over the counter medication like Tylenol for pain relief and decongestant for unclogging nose.
Simple lozenges.
Plenty of liquids to stay hydrated.
Salt water gargles.
Don’t smoke.
Avoid antibiotics.
Report to doctor if condition worsens or does not improve after 7 days.
