{"id":55420,"date":"2022-04-29T08:15:00","date_gmt":"2022-04-29T08:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zameen.com\/blog\/?p=55420"},"modified":"2022-04-29T08:16:04","modified_gmt":"2022-04-29T08:16:04","slug":"heatstroke-prevention-causes-treatments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zameen.com\/blog\/heatstroke-prevention-causes-treatments.html","title":{"rendered":"How to Prevent Heatstroke During Heatwaves in Pakistan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

IN THIS POST:
<\/strong>– What is Heatstroke?<\/a>
– How to Avoid It?<\/a>
– Signs & Symptoms<\/a>
– Curbing the Effects<\/a>
– Who’s at Risk?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

UPDATE (April 29, 2022):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A day after Pakistan experienced the hottest temperature in the Northern Hemisphere, the Ministry of Climate Change issued a heatwave alert to all provinces. According to the reports published by leading media outlets, South Asia is expected to face a severe heatwave this year. The temperatures across the country are also expected to rise by six to eight degrees Celsius above average.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPakistan has been facing an unexpected heatwave since March. Temperatures in the border areas of Pakistan and India are expected to rise to 49 to 50 degrees Celsius,\u201d said Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman. \u201cIn March alone, rainfall was recorded at 62% less than normal. In the year 2018, Nawabshah became the hottest city in the world in the month of April when the mercury went above 50 degrees Celsius,\u201d she added, explaining that frequent heatwaves are a sign of climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is also important to note that the Pakistan Meteorological Department has cited March 2022 as the hottest month since 1961.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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With the summer finally here, the risk of heatstroke is at an all-time high, especially in cities like Karachi and Lahore, where there is almost no reprieve from the harsh summer sun wreaking havoc from April until the end of August. This is when you need to know about the best ways to keep your body cool and how to prevent heatstroke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s start with a basic description of heatstroke, followed by some ways to avoid it, the signs and symptoms of having heatstroke, and the methods to tackle it while you wait for professional help that will aid your recovery from heatstroke. We’ll also find out who is the most vulnerable to this condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Heatstroke?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The human body starts to lose energy at a gradual pace in the humid heat, particularly because we lose a lot of nutrients due to sweating. Although the process starts slowly, it can evolve into a full-blown heatstroke if it is not addressed and treated appropriately. In most cases, the body temperature of a person reaches 105\u00b0F (40.5\u00b0C), and the body is unable to cool down on its own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Untreated heatstroke can harm a person\u2019s brain, heart, kidneys, and muscles, and can be life-threatening. Luckily, there are many ways to avoid and treat heatstroke, to keep our body temperatures between 35.5\u00b0C to 37.5\u00b0C, and protect our vital organs, so the body continues to function normally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pakistan is experiencing severe summer weather with each passing year due to climate change. The deadliest heatwave was witnessed in 2015 when the temperature lingered between 42-45\u00b0C and felt like 50\u00b0C for an entire week in the country\u2019s largest city, Karachi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A general lack of awareness amongst people coupled with the fact that it was also the month of Ramadan when many were fasting, and facing prolonged power outages and water shortages worsened the situation. About 40,000 people had their lives threatened by heatstroke that year, with over 1,200 deaths reported officially, most of which were in Karachi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can learn more about the causes and threats of heatwaves in Pakistan<\/a> in our detailed guide on the topic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Avoid Heatstroke<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While we cannot control nature and the rising temperature, we can ensure that we are making every possible effort to stay safe and cool in the summer. The harsh heat can not only drain your energy, but also make you prone to infections, or cause vomiting, nausea, heat rash or prickly heat, as well as low blood pressure. With temperatures soaring over 40\u00b0C, you must take matters seriously and remain vigilant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve compiled some tips to avoid heatstroke so that you can take better care of yourself and your loved ones. Please keep the following suggestions in mind to beat the heat this season:<\/p>\n\n\n\n