New Delhi: As scorching heat starts to grip various parts of the country, health experts have advised people to be cautious about heat-related problems such as dehydration and heatstroke.
According to medical professionals, the immediate effects of heat typically manifest as skin-related issues, which can further lead to complications such as swelling, muscle cramps, fatigue, and dizziness.
Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and hot environments significantly increases the risk of heatstroke, which can prove fatal, experts said.
Dr Naval K Vikram, a professor at AIIMS, said the heat can give rise to a variety of physical ailments.
“The primary issues caused by heat are skin-related problems, such as heat rashes. Excessive sweating leads to itching and various skin irritations. Many individuals also report swelling in their hands and feet,” Dr Vikram said.
Explaining that excessive sweating results in dehydration while simultaneously depleting sodium and electrolyte levels in the body, he said this can trigger muscle cramps.
This condition is particularly prevalent among individuals who engage in strenuous physical labour during hot weather, such as daily wage labourers, farmers, and athletes.
“As the heat intensifies, individuals may experience extreme fatigue, headaches, weakness, and nausea,” he said.
Dr Vikram added that in severe cases this can escalate into heatstroke, a critical condition that can impair vital organs such as the brain, heart, and kidneys, and may even prove life-threatening.
He also noted that there is often a misconception among the public that home remedies alone are sufficient to address mild heat-related symptoms.
