New Delhi, May 18 (IANS). In view of the rising temperatures and prevailing heat wave conditions in many parts of the country, the AYUSH Division under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in coordination with the Ministry of AYUSH, has issued a comprehensive public health advisory.
The advisory provides detailed guidance to the general public, vulnerable groups, employers, workers and participants of large gatherings and sporting events to protect themselves from heat stress and heat-related illnesses. It emphasizes drinking adequate amounts of water, avoiding direct exposure to sunlight during the hottest hours of the day, wearing light cotton clothes, and consuming seasonal fruits and fluids rich in electrolytes.
The advisory also states that during extreme heat and heat waves, infants, children, pregnant women, elderly, outdoor workers and people suffering from chronic diseases like heart disease and high blood pressure require special care and monitoring.
Special precautions have been advised for workplaces, public gatherings and outdoor activities. These include provision of shady rest areas, regular water breaks, acclimatization measures for workers and creating awareness about the symptoms of heat stress.
The advisory warns citizens to be alert to dangerous symptoms of heat-related illnesses, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, mental status changes, extremely high body temperature, dehydration, seizures and fainting. ‘Heatstroke’ has been described as a medical emergency, requiring immediate medical attention. For this, it has been advised to immediately call the emergency helpline 108/102.
The advisory also includes traditional health and preventive measures related to various AYUSH systems including Ayurveda, Siddha, Yoga, Unani and Homeopathy to deal with heat wave conditions.
The Ayurveda section recommends summer-appropriate dietary measures, consumption of cooling fluids such as buttermilk, coconut water and lemon-based drinks and use of traditional medicines such as ‘Nimbuk Phal Panak’, ‘Amra Prapanak’ and ‘Chincha Panak’ to help control body temperature. The Siddha and Yoga sections recommend drinking cooling beverages and adopting breathing techniques such as Shitali Pranayama and gentle yoga practices to relax the body and reduce heat stress.
The Unani system recommends traditional cool drinks and applying herbal pastes to prevent sun-related problems, while the homeopathy section suggests precautionary measures during extreme heat.
Along with this, people have been asked to include hydrating and cooling traditional foods like cucumber, watermelon, lemon, melon, bottle gourd and tomato in their daily diet during the summer season.
Citizens have also been advised to regularly follow meteorological updates issued by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) and take necessary precautions during heat wave warnings.
–IANS
PIM/ABM
