Heat-induced ailments on the rise in Pune, say doctors

PUNE: The onset of sweltering summer has resulted in a rise in heat-induced ailments affecting citizens, especially those exposed to the sun for long durations during the day.
Doctors across the city have reported a surge in the number of patients coming to them with complaints of gastroenteritis, diarrhoea and other typical summer-related complaints, such as dehydration, fungal infections and even influenza brought on by fluctuating temperatures.
According to physician Aniket Joshi, most ailments these days are related to our lifestyle. "Our bodies are unable to adapt to the wide range of day and night temperatures. This, combined with the tendency to drink cold drinks and getting in and out of air-conditioned rooms, wreaks havoc and leads to viral infections. While water contamination has gone down considerably over the years, I continue to see patients of diarrhoea, typhoid and jaundice. These can also be brought on by ingesting water from swimming pools, especially by children," he said.
Another physician, Prakash Mahajan, said, "I have been seeing at least a dozen cases of summer ailments every day over the last ten days. Many people are coming in with complaints of fungal infections and boils on the skin, which occur because of profuse sweating."
Doctor H V Sardesai explained the different stomach-related problems brought on by the arrival of summer. "Any seasonal change brings with it digestive ailments. In summers, this can be loss of appetite or diarrhoea. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day is the best way to keep illnesses at bay," he said.
All experts recommend drinking approximately three litres of water at regular intervals throughout the day.
Doctors also suggest avoiding being outdoors when the sun is at its peak (noon to 5pm) and covering one's body to avoid excessive exposure to the heat. Steering clear of street food, juices and drinks from the roadside is the best way to ward off infections, they say.
Common complaints
* Diarrhoea
* Loss of appetite
* Dryness and inflammation of the mouth (stomatitis)
* Boils on the skin
* Fungal infections because of excessive sweat
* Dry, itchy eyes
* Dehydration
* Influenza
Stay protected
* Drink at least three litres of filtered water daily. The water should be at room temperature or only slightly cold
* Avoid going outdoors during the peak sun hours (noon to 5pm)
* Cover your body when outdoors; use umbrellas, scarves or caps
* Apply sun-block lotion on exposed parts of the body
* Regularly towel away perspiration from body
* Avoid eating uncooked and street food
* Don't drink water and refreshments from roadside outlets
* Avoid excessive difference between indoor and outdoor temperature
* Avoid alcohol consumption