There is a change of weather both in the politics and the arrival of summer. With the increase in the relative humidity, more and more cases of heat disorders are being reported in the city.

Dehydration can precipitate heart attack in susceptible individuals. The normal fluid requirement is 30 ml per kg weight, but it needs to be increased in the summer because of the loss of fluid from sweating. Besides water, sodium (Na) or salt is also lost. A person, therefore, needs to take more fruit during the summer period.

Not passing urine in 8 hours, dry armpits, feeling exhausted or feeling weak are the warning signals. Dehydration can make the blood thick and precipitate heart attack in patients with uncontrolled blood pressure or diabetes.

Walking is a necessity for heart patients and the same should be continued even during peak summer but the timing should be so chosen that peak heat periods are avoided. One can walk early in the morning or late in the evening. People taking anti-allergic pills should take special precautions as they are more likely to get heat stroke.

Heat stroke is a medical emergency leading to charring of organs because of extreme internal heat. A person’s temperature may rise to more than 105^oF.

Preventing summer disorders

• The most common summer disorders are dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke on one hand and acidity, infections, diarrhea, cholera, typhoid and jaundice on the other hand.
• Heat cramps, exhaustion and stroke all result from prolonged exposure to heat but differ in the severity of the illness.
• Heat cramp is a milder form of illness where a person has weakness dehydration, and salt deficiency. The treatment is replacing fluid and salt orally.
• Heat exhaustion, on the other hand, is a relatively serious condition with fever, dehydration, weakness but presence of sweating. If not diagnosed and treated in time, with rapid fluid replacement heat exhaustion can end-up into heat stroke, where the body’s thermoregulatory mechanisms fail leading to a sudden rise in internal temperature and charring of organs and ultimate death.
• Heat stroke is a medical emergency and requires bringing down of temperature within minutes. Absence of sweating, dry armpit, not passing urine for 8 or presence of high grade fever in summer season should not be ignored and medical attention taken immediately.
• Diarrhea, cholera, typhoid and jaundice are all food- and water-borne diseases due to poor hygiene and shortage of water supply in the community. All of them can become serious if not attended in time. Of these, diarrhea and cholera are infections of small intestine and require replacing with lemon water mixed with sugar and salt. The deficiency of fluid may be up to 6 to 8 liters. A person needs to be hospitalized only if the number of loose motions is more than 12.
• For prevention of these diseases, follow the principle – Heat it, Boil it, Cook it, Peal it or Forget it.

In the era of medical tourism, with a large number of Western patients coming for treatment inIndia, Indian doctors should respect the religious sentiments of patients from other religions.