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Doha, Qatar: Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has issued a timely caution against heat stroke, as record heat is forecast around the world.
Qatar is also witnessing the beginning of a period that leads to escalating heat and rising humidity.
As the temperature increases in the country, HMC has emphasised the importance of recognising the signs and symptoms of heat stroke and mitigating the risk of the medical condition. HMC has advised individuals to stay indoors during the hottest hours of the day between 11am and 3pm.
This caution has been announced as Qatar Meteorology Department (QMD) stated yesterday that July 16 marked the beginning of the ‘Al Hana’a’ star, which escalates heat and rising humidity levels.
According to QMD, temperatures will rise significantly over the next 13 days, intensifying the heat, and humidity. It is also said that the changes in weather patterns contribute to the formation of light fog and reduce wind.
Heatstroke is very common in summer and can affect people due to direct exposure to sunlight, said a Medical Resident at HMC’s Emergency Department, Dr. Aisha Ali Al Saada, adding that children, the elderly, and patients with chronic diseases are more vulnerable.
Heatstroke is a serious heat-related illness that occurs when one’s body can no longer control its temperature. The body’s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and subsequently, the body is unable to cool itself down, resulting in heatstroke.
“Symptoms of heat stroke include high body temperature, sweating, severe thirst, increased heart rate, redness of skin, headache, dizziness, nausea, loss of consciousness, severe fatigue,” said Dr. Al Saada in a video message.
To prevent heatstroke, she advises people to drink a lot of fluid and water and maintain hydration; wear loose, comfortable, and light colour clothes; avoid sun exposure around noon time from 11am to 3pm, especially children, the elderly, and patients with chronic diseases.
“Also stop any exhausting activity when you feel tired; take a cold-water shower, or use cold pads to reduce your body temperature,” said Dr. Al Saada.
In case of heatstroke, she recommends giving immediate first aid by transferring the person to a cold place, laying the person on his back with a lifted head and shoulders, giving the person cold water to drink, and putting cold pads.
“Call 999 if the person’s condition is not improving after 30 minutes or if the body temperature is higher than 40 degrees Celsius,” said Dr. Al Saada.
While QMD in the daily weather forecast for today has predicted mist with a chance of fog at places in the morning and hot and slight dust at places during the daytime. The thermometer is likely to hit 44 degrees Celsius in Doha, with humidity predicted to reach a maximum of 90%.
