23 sunstroke cases recorded in Ras Al Khaimah

Mahra Sarai briefs workers on sunstrokes and precautions to be taken to avoid heat-related illnesses

Up to 23 people were hit with sunstrokes in different areas across the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah over the summer months from from May1 to September 15.
Mohammed Rashid bin Arsheed, manager of the Ibrahim bin Hamad Obaidullah Hospital, said most of the people suffered heat illness during June and July.
"Official reports show that 18 out of 23 people sustained this serious medical condition after exposure to excessive heat during these two months - nine cases in each."
However, only one heat injury has been reported this month so far against three in August despite the sweltering temperatures and dense humidity, he added. "Some 24 sunstrokes were reported last summer in the emirate against the 53 cases registered in the summer of 2013."
Mahra Sarai, manager of health media department at the RAK medical zone, said the main reason behind the significant drop in heat strokes is the stringent adherence to the midday-break ban. "This humanitarian move was enforced for the benefit of employees in open work sites where they are exposed to the direct rays during peak noon hours."
The RAK Medical Zone has run a variety of campaigns to develop workers and foremen's awareness on the grave risk of working under the sun during the sizzling summer months, she underlined.
"They were also trained on how to identify symptoms of sunstrokes, and how to properly deal with the same," she said, noting that there are three levels of heat emergencies: heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, with heat stroke being the most severe and life-threatening.
Dr Mohammed Al Asqalany, an internal consultant here, said unlike heat exhaustion, heat stroke symptoms develop over several days, especially among elderly individuals and people with chronic health problems. "Heatstroke can develop rapidly in severe conditions and situations with extreme physical exertion, especially if the person becomes dehydrated."
The signs and symptoms of heat stroke may include higher temperature than 104°F (40°C), profuse sweating, accelerated (weak) heartbeat, rapid breathing, shallow panting, muscle cramps, hot, dry and red skin, nausea, vomiting, and dark urine.
"As the nervous system becomes affected, further symptoms may emerge, such as confusion, coordination problems, seizures, headache, dizziness, anxiety, hallucinations, irrational behavior, and loss of consciousness."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com