Enough water & ORS vital to prevent dehydration & salt deficiency amidst heat wave conditions
Tuesday, 18 JUNE 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Doctors in the city have advised people to consume three to four litres of water and oral rehydration solution (ORS) daily in order to prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalance amidst the heat wave conditions. Notably, the maximum temperature surged nine degrees above normal to 42.8 degrees Celsius and to 43.1 degrees Celsius in Dehradun on Sunday and Monday respectively. Additionally, this year the temperature has increased by three to four degrees Celsius above normal across the State compared to the previous year. Considering this, doctors have noticed a surge in dehydration cases, resulting in electrolyte imbalance in individuals.
Physician at the Government Doon M Medical College (GDMC) hospital Dr Naresh said that the rise in temperature has led to an increase in dehydration cases among the city’s inhabitants. He said that he has witnessed about 30 to 40 patients daily experiencing sodium loss in their bodies as a result of the heat wave conditions. He explained that sodium loss occurs when exposure to the sun causes the body to lose water and salt through sweating, leading to symptoms like nausea, vomiting and weakness. Naresh emphasised the importance of increasing water intake to three to four litres per day to prevent sodium loss and salt deficiency. He also recommended the consumption of ORS to help combat the effects of the heat.
Paediatrician at the Mahant Indiresh hospital Dr Vishal Kaushik said that as the temperature rises, there is an increase in water and salt deficiency among children. This deficiency often leads to ailments like diarrhoea, vomiting and other issues. Kaushik stressed that parents must take necessary precautions to prevent such conditions in their children. He advised that when venturing outdoors in the sun, parents should ensure their children carry water from home or use tetra packs of water. Additionally, children are recommended to wear full-sleeved clothes and hats to prevent heatstroke. He highlighted the importance of ORS and ample intake of salads to combat water and salt deficiency during the hot conditions.
