Avoid heat stress this Ramadan

Last year, Dubai Health Authority-run hospitals received 22,000 cases in the first 20 days of Ramadan. Most of the cases were related to heat illnesses, dehydration and digestive problems caused primarily by excessive eating at iftar. The Public Health Department at the DHA advocated the importance of heat stress management during the holy month.

Dr Muhammad Wasif  Alam, Director of Public Health and Safety at DHA said the purpose of the awareness drive is to ensure that people are protected from heat illnesses while fasting, especially those who are working outside, in the sun, as they face high temperatures and high humidity levels.
Dr Alam said that exposure to a hot and humid environment for long periods causes the body to produce certain signs and symptoms known as heat illness or heat stress. “People need to be aware of this so they can take timely action. A person who suffers from heat stress is likely to have symptoms such as a heat rash, body aches, headaches, weakness, drowsiness and decrease in alertness.”

He added that cases of heat stress can, if left untreated, cause unconsciousness and seizures. 

Dr Alam said the best defence against heat-related illness is to follow some basic preventative measures and to be aware of the dangers of long term exposure to the sun, especially while fasting.

“People should be aware of the risk factors, which can contribute to heat illnesses. High air temperature, heat waves and high humidity, low air movement, working in the sun for long periods of time without frequent breaks, breaking the fast with foods such as tea, coffee, aerated drinks and eating fatty and high salty food in excess as these foods can cause dehydration. Skipping suhour and a lack of sleep are major contributors that can cause heat stress,” he says.

Dr Alam said that heat illnesses need to be taken seriously and depending on the extent of severity of the issue, action should be taken. “Rapid cooling of the body should begin immediately. Immerse body in cold water but not chilled, Loosen clothing, move the person to shade.  If the person is unconscious, do not attempt to give fluids orally and call an ambulance immediately,” he says. He highlighted that employers should protect their employees from heat stress by keeping cool and safe drinking water for those who are not fasting and for those workers who are fasting but may require it in an emergency medical situation.
Dr Wafaa Ayesh, director of clinical nutrition at the DHA said that while fasting is an opportunity to detox the body, healthy eating and adequate rest are important to prevent health problems.

“Ramadan fasting gives the digestive system rest and helps in self-healing and self-repairing. Fasting detoxifies the body of its toxins, which fuels the body’s healing mechanisms and prevents diseases and disorders. However, fasters need to follow healthy eating patterns and get sufficient rest to reap the health benefits of fasting.”

Ayesh added that fasting during the hot summer months is particularly challenging and that all precautions should be taken to avoid dehydration and other health complications.

Ayesh says that, “skipping suhoor and lack of sleep are major contributors that can cause heat stress. Some people eat heavy dinners and skip suhoor and this puts them at a higher risk of heat stress. Suhour should be consumed as late as possible to minimise the difficulty of fasting and fasters should consume sufficient water or unsweetened fruit juice between iftar and suhoor, to balance the fluid levels in the body.”

She added that consuming drinks with caffeine such as coffee, tea, and other soft drinks should be avoided as caffeine’s diuretic properties can dehydrate an already parched body.

She also said it is important to avoid drinking tea at suhoor, as tea increases salt excretion in the urine, which is needed for the body during fasting. 
Instead she advised consuming drinks such as erk-sous (liquorice drink), jallab (date, rose and pomegranate molasses drink), tamar hindi (tamarind drink) and kharoub (locust bean), which are particularly helpful in rehydrating the body.
However, people with hypertension should avoid drinking erk-sous and diabetics should avoid drinking all sugary drinks.

Ayesh added that it is important for people to limit their exposure to the sun and for those people who work in the sun to take regular breaks.

She added, “Simple steps can ensure a person is protected from heat stress especially during the holy month of Ramadan.”