Dialysis applies extra pressure
With temperatures constantly staying above 40ºC, patients on dialysis are complaining of restlessness, high fever and severe dehydration. Dialysis patients can have only one litre of water per day but during these hot summer months it is being increased to 1.5 litres so that they can manage fluid levels.
Dr Pradeep Deshpande, senior nephrologist at the city’s Gandhi Hospital, explains, “This year, patients have been complaining of a lot of exhaustion and dehydration due to the intense heat. Despite being at home they are not able to tolerate the heat and they are complaining of suffocation. With these kind of conditions, they have been advised to opt for water-rich fruits which will help them maintain fluid balance and to also quench their thirst.”
And as heat tolerance levels reduce in dialysis patients, most of them are saying that despite sitting under a fan or near a coolers, they are feeling extremely hot. Some of them have been asked to wrap a wet cloth around their necks so that they can control dehydration.
Dr C.K. Srinivas Reddy, a senior nephrologist, said, “A major cause for worry is the fluid build up in the body which will require extra dialysis and that becomes very troublesome. Patients have also been advised to be careful of cold beverages which are the most sought after. But for patients with kidney trouble, they can cause stomach cramps.”
Dr Daya Nayak, another nephrologist explained, “It is best to opt for fruits such as watermelon, grapes and strawberries or vegetables like cucumber, cauliflower, lettuce and radish which provide sufficient hydration. Despite that, if the patient is thirsty, they can opt for drinking water in small sips keeping in mind they don’t exceed prescribed limit.” In diabetic patients with kidney problems the fluid intake has to be monitored as they tend to develop complications due to the fluctuating sugar levels in the body.
Dry wind, dust up allergies
Rising temperatures have led to an increase in allergies, with many people suffering from itchy eyes, wheezing, sneezing and other symptoms.
Experts say dry winds in the afternoons and pollen concentration on dried grass, leaves and weeds are factors triggering asthma and allergic rhinitis in summer.
Dust on the roads and homes precipitate allergies. An estimated 25 per cent of the people are found to suffer from such allergies in summer, according to the clinical data tabulated by experts.
“When dry wind in the afternoon reacts with other pollutants in the air, it triggers intense episodes of sneezing and wheezing. The pollutants inside the home and also outside react with the dry wind on the individual creating an impact on people’s respiratory system,” said Dr C. Vijay Kumar, senior pulmonologist, Apollo Hospitals.
Meanwhile, Dr B.N. Reddy, a senior pulmonologist, said, “There is growing clinical evidence of how pollen allergy is increasing in the country. The last few years have seen an extended summer where, despite the heat, patients are suffering from wheezing episodes.”
Chilled drinks causing tonsils crisis
Their eagerness to cool themselves in the searing summer heat is having an unintended side effect on kids. About half a dozen of them, from three to 10, are coming down with severe tonsillitis after consuming ice, chilled water, fruit juices with ice and sharbat.
Every day, there are at least three to five cases being attended to by general physicians and ENT experts who say that some of the cases have been so severe they have had to resort to tonsil-removal surgery. Dr G Chandrashekar, general physician says, “Children are coming to us after drinking unbranded colas, chilled water from packets or packed juice to beat the severe heat. The infection of tonsillitis is reaching severe levels.”
Tonsillitis is caused by a mix of viral and bacterial infections and is a common problem in childhood which can be controlled through medicines. In the Government ENT Hospital there is now a huge waiting list of three to six months for the surgical removal of tonsils. Mr Hasan Querishi, a parent, says, “Due to this waiting period, many of us are opting for private hospitals where the charge is Rs 25,000 per case.”
A senior doctor however, adds, “Surgical intervention is not required for everyone. But anxious parents who do not want to deal with these problems again request the procedures.”
