Pune: Punishing heat can leave you feeling confused, irritated and more tired than usual as the body deals with the high temperature. It is what citizens from several areas have been experiencing for the past two days after the mercury crossed 40 degrees celsius.
Sachin Shivnitwar, associate professor, department of medicine at Dr D Y Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Pimpri, said the increased heat can affect the body.
“The loss of fluids from the body depends on how much a person is exposed to the heat. This increases chances of low blood pressure (hypotension). Blood sugar levels can drop causing giddiness, increased weakness, fatigue and heat stroke. Hence, people must avoid excessive heat, keep hydrated, and if the symptoms persist, consult a doctor,” he added.
General physician Sanjay Nagarkar at Apollo Spectra Pune said, “Our body’s normal temperature is 37-38 degrees celsius. If the body heats up to 39-40 degrees celsius, the brain will signal to the muscles to slow down causing fatigue. At 40-41 degrees celsius, exhaustion sets in and above 41 degree celsius, the body will start shutting down.”
Several forms of hyperthermia, when the body fails to maintain the temperature and handle the heat, are also possible. Heat cramps are mild while heat exhaustion is severe and sometimes a heatstroke can be fatal, he added. People with diabetes, cardiac issues, liver cirrhosis and other problems may feel the heat aggravating their condition.
General physician Sushant Rajput said, “People with metabolic conditions are vulnerable during heat waves. They may feel shortness of breath and generally have difficulty in breathing, palpitations, increased anxiousness, restlessness and irritability. Diabetics are more vulnerable to dehydration and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), while cardiac patients can develop low blood pressure which might cause further complications.
Pregnant women can suffer from dizziness, headache, heat exhaustion, dehydration, high blood pressure, foetal distress, breathing problems, and uterine bleeding. Preethika Shetty, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospitals, Kharadi, said, “If a pregnant woman feels dizzy and falls, it can cause early labour leading to preterm birth.”
Sachin Shivnitwar, associate professor, department of medicine at Dr D Y Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Pimpri, said the increased heat can affect the body.
“The loss of fluids from the body depends on how much a person is exposed to the heat. This increases chances of low blood pressure (hypotension). Blood sugar levels can drop causing giddiness, increased weakness, fatigue and heat stroke. Hence, people must avoid excessive heat, keep hydrated, and if the symptoms persist, consult a doctor,” he added.
General physician Sanjay Nagarkar at Apollo Spectra Pune said, “Our body’s normal temperature is 37-38 degrees celsius. If the body heats up to 39-40 degrees celsius, the brain will signal to the muscles to slow down causing fatigue. At 40-41 degrees celsius, exhaustion sets in and above 41 degree celsius, the body will start shutting down.”
Several forms of hyperthermia, when the body fails to maintain the temperature and handle the heat, are also possible. Heat cramps are mild while heat exhaustion is severe and sometimes a heatstroke can be fatal, he added. People with diabetes, cardiac issues, liver cirrhosis and other problems may feel the heat aggravating their condition.
General physician Sushant Rajput said, “People with metabolic conditions are vulnerable during heat waves. They may feel shortness of breath and generally have difficulty in breathing, palpitations, increased anxiousness, restlessness and irritability. Diabetics are more vulnerable to dehydration and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), while cardiac patients can develop low blood pressure which might cause further complications.
Pregnant women can suffer from dizziness, headache, heat exhaustion, dehydration, high blood pressure, foetal distress, breathing problems, and uterine bleeding. Preethika Shetty, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospitals, Kharadi, said, “If a pregnant woman feels dizzy and falls, it can cause early labour leading to preterm birth.”
