Heat-related illnesses surge in North as mercury rises

As heatwave grips northern parts of India, outpatient departments (OPD) of several hospitals are witnessing nearly a 40 percent surge in patient visits due to heat strokes and exhaustion, and other heat-related illnesses such as dehydration, dizziness, and exacerbation of chronic conditions.

- SANKET KOUL

With temperatures crossing 40 degrees Celsius across prominent cities, the elderly, people with comorbidities such as diabetes or cardiovascular ailments, and outdoor workers have been majorly affected.

Charu Goel Sachdeva, director and unit head (internal medicine) at Max Super Speciality Hospital in Dwarka said that the rise in footfall is caused by urban heat island effects, poor hydration habits, and prolonged exposure to the sun due to work or travel.

The surge in OPD visits is happening across the National Capital Region, as well as other prominent north Indian cities such as Kanpur and Panipat. "Hospitals in Kanpur are seeing 15-16 percent surge in OPDs, with symptoms like fainting, dehydration, breathing difficulties, and skin infections becoming more common," Abhishek Agarwal, senior consultant (internal medicine) at Paras Health Kanpur, said.

Many are also reporting urinary tract infections and gastrointestinal discomfort, which are common during high heat periods due to reduced hydration and improper food hygiene.