The OPDs of all the hospitals are witnessing an increase in the number of patients.
Thursday, 09 June 2022 | PNS | Dehradun
The recent spell of intense summer in different parts of Uttarakhand has started taking its toll on the health of the people. These days the weathermen are regularly recording a spurt in the temperature in all parts of the state. The plain areas of the state are witnessing a jump in mercury which is three to five degrees above the normal. In such a condition the OPDs of all the hospitals are witnessing an increase in 15 to 20 per cent in the number of patients. The Medical Superintendent (MS) of Government Doon Medical College (GDMC) hospital Dr K C Pant told The Pioneer that the number of patients of vomiting, diarrhoea and dehydration are increasing in the hospital. “All these diseases are associated with an increase in temperature. People fall ill because they fail to make necessary adjustments in their lifestyle and feeding habits,’’ he said. Dr Pant however added that there is a reduction in cases of accidents and other injuries because less number of people are venturing out these days. The hospitals are also witnessing a spurt in the number of the child patients as they are more susceptible.
Meanwhile the continued spell of high temperature has increased the chances of heat stroke and other diseases. Heat stroke is a condition triggered by the combined effect of heat and humidity when the cooling mechanism of the body fails and its temperature rises abruptly. Heatstroke requires emergency treatment as it can quickly damage the brain, heart, kidneys and muscles. The damage worsens the longer treatment is delayed, increasing the risk of serious complications or even death. The Senior Physician, Dr Pravin Panwar said that the best defence against heat stroke is drinking plenty of water and other things which are liquid. He suggested that one should avoid going out during day time to evade the fury of the sun. The symptoms of the disease are high body temperature, altered mental state like confusion, irritability and slurred speech, alteration in sweating, nausea, vomiting, rosy skin, rapid breathing, high pulse rate and severe headache.
