As if the scorching heat was not enough, the extreme fluctuation in temperature has Mumbaikars suffering from all kinds of illnesses.
Doctors are seeing a rising number of patients complaining about muscle cramps and low blood pressure. The diurnal variations — hot and humid weather coupled with cool mornings, hot afternoons and cooler evenings — is also causing eye allergies, throat infections and gastroenteritis.
“Low blood pressure, muscle cramps and dehydration are common during summer, but this time the weather has been harsh. It is hot and humid and excessive sweating causes imbalance of electrolytes in the body,” said Dr Subodh Kedia, family physician from Bandra.
“We are also seeing an increasing number of gastroenteritis cases followed by viral infections on the upper respiratory tract,” said Dr Anil Ballani, consulting physician at Lilavati hospital. This, doctors, say is because people prefer to eat out and drink juices from roadside stalls. “Most gastroenteritis cases are because of bacterial infection. It is because of eating outside food,” said Dr Kedia.
Many children, too, are falling ill this summer. “Since this is vacation time, a lot of people are eating out. We are seeing a large number of children complaining about vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach cramps,” said Dr Mukesh Sanklecha, consulting paediatrician from Bombay hospital. “Children suffer from sore throat and cold because of eating ice creams and drinking cold water and cold drinks frequently.”
Preventive measures against such common ailments are simple and easy to implement. “The first rule is that people should drink boiled water. They should avoid drinking cold water and soft drinks, especially juices with ice as it is unhygienic,” said Dr Pratit Samdhani, consulting physician at Jaslok hospital.
It is also essential to keep oneself hydrated and eat right, said Dr Kedia. “Food gets easily spoilt during summer. Children should be given washed fruits and fresh juices. Sugarcane juice should be avoided in the afternoons as it could be full of harmful bacteria,” said Dr Kedia. Dr Ballani says there should be equal emphasis on eating hygienic home food.
