Hospitals flooded with heat-related illnesses as Delhi-NCR faces extreme heat, temperature soars to above 45 degrees

Delhi-NCR is currently facing an extreme heatwave

As Delhi and its surrounding areas face extreme heat and temperatures soaring above 45 degrees, hospitals are currently flooded with heat related illnesses and OPDs have been seeing patient upsurge in the past few days.

The patients that have been coming to the hospital have been reporting symptoms ranging from heat strokes, dehydration to extreme exhaustion that has been caused by severe heat exposure.

As predicted by IMD, Northern India is currently facing extreme heatwave conditions. The weather unit has issued red alerts across Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan. According to reports, on June 12, New Delhi recorded a heat index as high as 51.9°C.

Delhi-NCR faces extreme heatwave

Wether experts have said that about 57 per cent of the Indian districts are staring at a high to very-high heat risk and this fluctuation in weather could cause massive impact on the health of the public.

While speaking to New18, Dr Sanchayan Roy, senior consultant, internal medicine at Apollo Spectra Hospital, Chirag Enclave, New Delhi, said, "We are witnessing nearly 30 patients coming to us daily with mild and moderate heat-related symptoms such as dehydration and mild fever. Our OPD is seeing a marked increase in heat-related illnesses, ranging from mild dehydration to severe heat stroke."

Symtoms of heat-related illnesses

While explaining the symptoms of the heat-related illnesses, Dr Arvind Aggarwal said “Heat exhaustion is common and its symptoms include heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, headache, and muscle cramps. Heat stroke is the main concern, and with high body temperature, it causes confusion, rapid pulse, and potential unconsciousness. If neglected, heat stroke can be life-threatening." He also told News18 that several elderly patients have been coming to the hospital in a critical condition.