KATHMANDU: The rising temperature is setting new records each day. This heat is making life difficult for most of us. If healthy behaviour is not practised in such weather conditions, then there are chances that people may suffer from various heat injuries. Heat stroke is one such effect of rising temperature (more than 38 degree celsius) for which a patient needs immediate help as it might be fatal.

Balancing heat production and loss

Heat in the body is generated by metabolism. Heat production and heat loss are always in a state of equilibrium. The hypothalamus in the brain helps in maintaining this balance. And due to this hypothalamic regulation in the body, the heat is dissipated through the skin by evaporation, conduction, convection and radiation. Whenever the human body is exposed for a prolonged period of time, the hypothalamus is unable to set heat regulation in the body. Due to which there is a rise in the body temperature, which generally rises above 40 degree Celsius from normal temperature of 36.5 to 37.5 degree Celsius. “However, there is no such time frame as to how long one’s exposure in the sun leads to heat stroke. It depends upon the age and health condition of people,” informed Dr Kamal Raj Thapa, Assistant Professor at National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS), Bir Hospital, Kathmandu.

Symptoms

Heat stroke has its effects everywhere in the body. From neurological effects to gastrointestinal effects, it can even lead to morbidity of patients if timely treatment is not done. The skin is hot and dry to the touch. The patient will show symptoms of dizziness and altered behaviour. Seizures are also visible. Shortness of breath, racing heart rate are some of the symptoms when respiratory organs are affected. But when there is an impact on the gastrointestinal organs, then a patient shows

symptoms of nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Immediate kidney failure, liver failure and cardiac diseases are some of the outcomes of the disease. Breakdown of the muscles are some other symptoms. In infants and children below five, miliaria is visible in the early phase.

Physical exercise and humidity

Anyone exercising or working in the fields during the hot weather is prone to heat stroke. “Young people, players, army and police personnel when they do strenuous physical exercises or play outdoors in the heat, then there are chances of heat stroke. This kind of heat stroke is exertional heat stroke,” informed Dr Thapa. However, only the temperature is not responsible for a heat stroke. Hot weather with humidity in the air is the cause. “As the body is unable to sweat during humid weather, the body temperature is not well balanced. This is why whenever there is an increase in humidity in air along with a rise in temperature, there are chances that people will suffer from heat stroke. Therefore, people are

suggested to stay indoors in extreme heat with high humidity,” informed Dr Thapa.

Safe Kathmandu

There is a fear of heat stroke in people living in Kathmandu. However, one need not panic as there is no such risks of heat stroke here because the temperature isn’t that high. But people living in the Tarai can suffer from heat strokes due to the high temperatures. “However, lethargy and loss of appetite can occur in people living here. All this happens due to dehydration. That is why one must drink at least three-and-a-half litres of water a day. However, people who sweat more, must drink more water,” suggested the doctor.

These days people are living in makeshift tents because of the earthquake. Some are distributing relief materials. Some people are busy making temporary shelters. Those living in makeshift tents must keep their tents well ventilated so that they do not suffer from heat. “They can stay in open spaces in the shade. And those distributing relief materials must take an umbrella with them to prevent heat effects,”he added.

Vehicles get heated and when one travels in such vehicles, they show symptoms of flushed skin, dizziness and headache. This is why temperature of the cooler in the vehicles should be maintained. If there is no cooler, then the windows of vehicles must be opened.