Allahabad sizzles at 43 degree: Hospitals flooded with patients

ALLAHABAD: With temperature reaching up to 43 degree celsius, hot and humid weather has started taking its toll on the health of city denizens. Cases of heat exhaustion, dehydration, fatigue along with respiratory problems have surfaced at all government district hospitals including Colvin, Beli, SRN and Duffrin. Doctors are advising people to take preventive measures.
Dr Rajesh Srivastava of MLN district hospital said, "Children and aged people are worst affected and we have been advising people not to come out in open if not necessary". There has been a steep rise in the number of patients complaining of wheezing, severe cough, chest congestion, fever, gastroenteritis, eye infections at city hospitals, clinics and primary community health centres in rural parts of various districts are flooded with patients.
"Pollen grains in air cause various respiratory tract infections and number of patients increases in such weather," said deputy CMO, Dr Vivek Srivastava. He added, "Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable. Dust particles affect lungs, particularly of minors."
Around 150 to 250 patients suffering from various aliments are being examined by doctors daily at the OPDs of government hospitals, primary/community health centres. Doctors have advised people to avoid heat weather conditions and not to visit areas with high dust content and also avoid inhaling aromatic sprays and mosquito repellents.
The threat of water-borne diseases also looms large in this weather as people consume juices and fluids. Diseases such as stomach flu, gastroenteritis, jaundice and typhoid are common during the summers.
"In old city areas, most of the patients are suffering from gastroenteritis. Consumption of contaminated water causes gastroenteritis," said Dr SAM Meesum, senior medical officer, community health. He added, "People should be cautious and avoid eating at road-side eateries."
He advised people to eat well-cooked food and only fresh fruit juices extracted at home. Such precautions will minimise the risk of stomach infections, he said.
Doctors said that heat and dusty weather also aggravates the cases of eye infections. As eyes are sensitive and prone to infections, it is advisable to wear wide-rimmed sunglasses while going out, he added.
Weather woes and seasonal diseases
Common cough: Doctors claim that cough is body's system of keeping air passage clear. But frequent coughing or people having breathing problems on frequent intervals could be suffering from respiratory tract infections. Dusty weather plays havoc with the patients suffering from respiratory track problems.
Gastroenteritis: Inflammation of the stomach and intestines causes gastroenteritis. The symptoms are diarrhoea, nausea, cramps and vomiting. Always consume clean potable water and avoid eating from road-side dhabas and eateries.
Typhoid: In case of typhoid, patients usually have symptoms like high fever, headache, backache, diarrhoea or constipation, patches on tongue. It basically affects intestines and also causes ulceration of the intestines.
Jaundice: When it comes to complaining jaundice, liver gets swollen. Patches of liver tissue may be destroyed as a result of inflammation. Doctors claim symptoms of jaundice normally appear after two to six weeks with infection of virus and include loss of hunger, fever, body-ache and fatigue.
Chest congestion and asthma: When you feel heaviness in chest or pain while breathing, approach your doctor as these are the symptoms of chest congestion. Doctors claim that in case of chest congestion, lungs are not able to expand fully.
Conjunctivitis: Symptoms such as pink and watery eyes clearly indicate about conjunctivitisas it is a common eye infection.