Doctor warns of heatstroke during summer

Manama

Consultant Physician at the Health Promotion Department of the Health Ministry Dr. Abeer Ghawi, warned that the chances of heat stroke is high during this period of the year for people who work long under the scorching sun.

Dr. Ghawi pointed out heatstrokes occur when extreme hot temperature damages the brain, leading to failure of the body’s ability to cool itself by sweating. She said it can break down the functioning of internal organs if not given immediate treatment.

Temperature in Bahrain reached above 40 degree Celsius in July this year.Symptoms of heat stroke include severe headache, dizziness, lack of sweating, rapid pulse and breathing, nausea, loss of consciousness and migraine.

“Immediate responses to help people suffering from heatstroke include taking them to shady area, reducing body temperature by easing out their clothes, rubbing cold wet cloth on them, before looking for medical assistance,” she said.

She said if the patient is conscious, it is ideal to give them small amounts of fluids until a medical team arrives.

 Heat stress

She pointed out that heat stress, which occurs due to loss of large amounts of body fluids and salts, is less life threatening than heatstroke.Heat stress symptoms include headaches, dizziness, nausea, thirst, excessive sweating, fast heartbeats, trouble breathing, disorientation, fatigue and muscle pain.

Treatment of heat stress is similar to that of heatstroke but in this case, the response is faster. It is advised not to work outdoors from 11am to 4pm. People working outdoors must drink 2 to 4 glasses of fluids per hour, as the body might need a total of 10 glasses during the summer.