Heatwave Hits Visakhapatnam: Hospital Cases on the Rise
Hospitals in Visakhapatnam are reporting an increase in cases of dehydration, fatigue, and other heat-related ailments as the district has been experiencing high temperatures and dry winds over the past few days.
Medical practitioners attribute the rise in cases to excessive loss of fluids and electrolytes, including sodium and potassium, through sweating. Patients have been presenting with symptoms such as weakness, dizziness, fever, body pain, and diarrhoea, prompting doctors to advise the public to take adequate precautions against heat exposure.
According to healthcare experts, prolonged exposure to extreme heat can impair the hypothalamus — the region of the brain that regulates body temperature, thirst, and sweating — disrupting the body’s natural cooling mechanism. While the body normally maintains a temperature of around 37 degrees Celsius through sweating and increased blood circulation, sustained exposure to high temperatures can overwhelm this process and lead to heat-related illnesses.
Doctors said many patients seeking treatment are exhibiting symptoms associated with heat stress and dehydration, including excessive thirst, dizziness, weakness, and confusion. Although such symptoms are often associated with heat stroke, most reported cases point to heat exhaustion and related conditions rather than its more severe form.
People who spend long hours outdoors, fail to replenish lost fluids adequately, or substitute chilled beverages for proper hydration are particularly vulnerable, doctors said.
Professor R. Vikram Vardhan, a specialist in General Medicine, said cases of heat cramps, heat syncope, and heat exhaustion have increased in recent weeks. Heat syncope, he explained, occurs when dehydration reduces blood flow to the brain, resulting in fainting. Heat cramps are caused by the depletion of electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium, leading to painful muscle contractions.
He noted that heat exhaustion develops when the body loses substantial amounts of water and salts through prolonged sweating. If left unaddressed, heat exhaustion in particular can progress to heat stroke, a potentially life-threatening medical emergency.
Doctors have advised people to consume adequate fluids and electrolyte-rich drinks such as salted buttermilk, and to avoid prolonged sun exposure during peak daytime hours.