Dubai: It’s that time of the year when the heat and dust that herald the onset of summer make things too hot to handle for some UAE residents.
Given the spike in cases of dehydration and heat exhaustion at this time every year, doctors have warned residents with underlying health conditions and those with low heat tolerance to spend less time outdoors.
Prolonged exposure to heat results in the body reaching a point where it can no longer function normally, leading to serious health complications. Workers whose jobs require them to spend long hours outdoors make for a fair number of those who show up in emergency rooms for this very reason. Elders, obese people, pregnant women and people with respiratory problems and heart conditions also need to be cautious before stepping out during the summer.
Explaining why prolonged heat exposure is bad for the human body, Dr Chacko George, Internal Medicine Specialist at Ras Al Khaimah Hospital, said: “The body temperature is maintained at 37 degrees Celsius. This is maintained and regulated through processes such as radiation, convection and evaporation.”
Dos and don'ts |
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Avoid exercising outdoors when the weather is hot and humid Ensure adequate hydration with water and electrolytes. Fruit juices are a good source of electrolytes. If working in hot weather, water must be consumed every 15 to 20 minutes Take periods of rest in between exertion Avoid walking for long periods outdoors during mid-day Make sure to exercise under the supervision of a trainer so that the body gets adjusted to the training routine Wear loose, comfortable clothing People taking blood pressure medications, diuretics etc. should stay away from the heat Newcomers to Dubai should reduce heat exposure in their first few weeks so as to allow gradual adjustment to the heat Provide training on preventive measures to employees who are expected to be working in hot and humid conditions Pregnant women and elders should avoid heat exposure and walking under the open sun. They must remain in cooler environments during this time and use an umbrella when they go outdoors Children playing outdoors need plenty of fluids even though they are more heat-tolerant than adults |
Radiation occurs when the body loses heat in a cooler environment, convection, which takes place when air makes contact with the skin, which then releases heat into the air, and evaporation, which occurs when sweat cools the body.
“Sweating is the most important part of the cooling process and it can fail if there is too much humidity in the air, since evaporation cannot take place. It can also fail when it’s too hot — that despite evaporation the body still remains overheated,” Dr George said.
This is why elders and obese people are more susceptible to heat exhaustion.
“Elders have a weak sweating mechanism that’s why the body finds it hard to cope. As for obese people, they have a higher metabolism and higher heat generation, which means they are more likely to face heat exhaustion as a result of their body loosing body water and can face symptoms like thirst, nausea, headache, vomiting, pale skin, muscle cramps and tingling hands and foot.”
This could be treated by cooling the body and having plenty of fluids.
Dr George said that people suffering from heart problems need to be the most cautious because excessive sweating can cause their blood pressure to drop, which can adversely affect their heart function.
“Among the other serious health problems that can be caused by the heat is heat syncope, where a person loses consciousness for a short while due to decreased body fluids and blood pressure. This usually comes before the most serious [stage], which is the heat stroke that occurs when the body temperature rises up beyond 37C and then a person loses consciousness either partially or completely and can get seizures or muscle breakdown.”
In the event of someone showing symptoms of either of the two conditions, Dr George advised that the affected individual be helped into a resting position and steps taken to cool their body. He called for medical management in case of a heat stroke.
Among the minor complications that could be experienced by anyone after long exposure to the sun are discomfort and irritability, decreased concentration, inability to do physical or heavy work, heat swelling, heat rashes and heat cramps because of salt loss.
When it comes to the question of heat tolerance among women or men, Dr Babu Shersad, Consultant Internist and Nephrologist at Amsa Renal Care said that the actual tolerance levels are lower in women, especially those who are overweight.
“This is related to the fat-muscle mass in the body and hormones that are different in women. However, men are mostly affected because they are more commonly exposed to heat and have different lifestyles and working environments making them more susceptible to heat exhaustion.”
Those with respiratory problems, however, need to be more concerned about the dusty environment than the heat itself, both doctors said. They advised those with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to avoid venturing outdoors during such weather because it could lead to aggravation of chest complaints.
To prevent heat-related illnesses, the doctors also advised residents to wear loose clothing, drink plenty of water, stay in cool environments, avoid using drugs that cause decreased sweating, avoid physical exertion outdoors and to frequently shower to keep the body cool.
They also advised people to be ready to respond to emergencies like if someone complained of exhaustion or fainted. The first response in such situations would be to move the affected person into an air conditioned environment or into a shaded area to help their body cool down. Pouring water over the affected person’s head, helping them take off clothes and applying ice packs or cool water and administering plenty of fluids is also advised.
“If somebody faints, the person close by should call for help immediately, but in the meantime they should provide fluids and cool the person’s body with a damp cloth and fanning to facilitate evaporation until help arrives,” said Dr Shersad.
