In the last 72 hours, Delhi has seen five deaths from heatwave and Noida has reported over ten deaths. The temperature keeps rising, causing severe heatwave conditions.
Hospitals in Delhi-NCR are crowded with patients suffering from heatstroke. Doctors advise the elderly and those with weak immune systems to stay indoors. Dr. Ritu Saxena from LNJP Hospital says they are getting 8-10 patients every day. Some of these patients need ICU care. “Elderly patients with previous co-morbidities such as diabetes and heart disease, and youngsters indulging in excessive physical activity are suffering more from heat exhaustion,” said Dr Tushar Tayal, Consultant, Internal Medicine, CK Birla Hospital.
1. LNJP Hospital: Admitting several serious patients daily.
2. CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram: Seeing 1-2 outpatients daily for heat-related problems, but no severe heatstroke cases yet.
3. Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj: Receiving around 10 heatstroke patients through OPD visits, admitting three daily. (said Dr Mugdha Tapdiya, additional director of Internal Medicine at the medical facility.)
Symptoms of heat exhaustion include: Low fever, Heavy sweating, Fast and strong pulse, Headache, Dizziness, Muscle cramps, Nausea and vomiting, Heat rashes
Most patients recover in 1-2 days. Treatment includes IV fluids, anti-nausea medicine, and cooling the body.
Doctors like Dr. Tushar Tayal from CK Birla Hospital report more cases of heat exhaustion in the last six weeks. They urge people, especially the elderly and those with health issues, to avoid going out in the heat. Young people who do a lot of physical activity are also at risk.
Delhi’s temperature reached 45.2 degrees Celsius on Monday, 6.4 degrees above normal. The city remains under severe heatwave conditions. People are advised to stay safe, drink plenty of water, and avoid direct sunlight.