Dubai:
The incidence of heat stroke declined with the effective implementation of the midday rule according to Dubai Health Authority’s Twiter clinic (#smart_clinic).
Dr Maher El Hamarna, head of medical unit in Dubai Hospital’s emergency department, said that there was a significant decline in the number of patients being admitted for heat-related illness to the hospital. “The implementation of midday rule and greater awareness about heat related illnesses have resulted in a signigifant decline in the number of cases we received this year. Of the cases we receive, most are heat exhaustion cases, and very few are heat strokes.”
Dr Maher said heat related illnesses can be caused due to exertion or non-exertion. Non-exertional heat illnesses are more common among very young children, elderly, patients with chronic illnesses, patients that are on psychiatry medications. Exertional heat-related illnesses are common among athletes, military personnel and people who work in hot environments for prolonged period of time with inadequate fluid intake.
She explained that heat exhaustion occurs when the human body becomes very hot and starts to lose water and salts due to sweating. If heat exhaustion is not spotted and treated early, there is a risk it could lead to a heat stroke.
Dr Syed Shams, internal medicine specialist at the Dubai Hospital, said: “Heat exhaustion can be due to outdoor or indoor prolonged exposure to heat and humidity and symptoms include moist skin due to excessive sweating, dizziness, thirst, muscle cramps and stiffness, nausea, vomiting etc. However, heat stroke symptoms mainly include a high temperature of 41 degrees or more, dry skin and disorientation.”
Precautions
Dr Maher added that in case someone is experiencing these symptoms after exposure to heat and humidity, the first step is to remove the person from that environment and move him or her to a cool area before calling an ambulance. In the meantime, remove excessive layers of clothing and start the cooling process with any means available at that moment — either by putting the person in water or sponging or by using ice packs on the face, armpits and groin area. If the patient is conscious and not vomiting, provide any rehydration fluid. Do not use any medicines to reduce the body temperature which is a common mistake and cause kidney and liver damage.”
In terms of general precautions, Dr Nesreen Kaoud, specialist registrar in primary health care sector at the DHA, said: “People should avoid long exposure to heat and humidity — whether it is indoor or outdoor. Moreover, all precautions should be taken to avoid heat illnesses. People who do strenuous exercise or those who are exposed to the sun for a prolonged period of time, especially children, should consume a natural solution of water with salt and sugar or coconut water or an oral rehydration salt to replenish the loss of fluids and salts.”
Ali Al Rahma, senior health educator in primary health care sector at the DHA, said: “Other precautionary measures are to cover the head and the neck — use an umbrella, cap or a cotton headscarf. Clothing should be loose and light. Cotton is the best fabric to help evaporation and regulate the body temperature which takes place through sweating.”
