Staying safe from heat wave

A mild heat wave is now sweeping over parts of Bangladesh. Forecasts of the rare weather condition in July say that it may continue for some more days. Heat waves in Bangladesh are particularly dangerous because of the high moisture in the air. Moisture obstructs the natural cooling system of the body. And people continue to suffer due to a lack of rains during the monsoon. The lives of hundreds of thousands of people, whose livelihoods depend on outdoor activities, may be at risk if the authorities concerned do not make drinking water available everywhere and make people aware of the risks borne by long stay under the sun.
Health impacts of heat waves typically involve dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. It is typical of children to catch a cold during summer from relentless sweating. Cold compromises immunity as well making the human body vulnerable to many diseases. Fever has already hit households hard across the country with multiple members from the same family taken to sick beds.
During this type of heat wave, we should try to avoid heat exposure or keep it to a minimum. In case you need to step out, try to avoid being in direct contact of the sun from 11:00pm to 2:00pm. This is the period when the sun is the hottest and can cause intense sunburn and dehydration. Try to keep cool and avoid dehydration by consuming lots of fluids and foods high in water content such as cucumbers. Drink sufficient water, even if you do not feel thirsty. When stepping out, remember to carry a bottle of water and keep sipping. Avoid drinking caffeinated beverages like tea and coffee as these might increase dehydration. Ensure using adequate skin protection when doing outdoor work such as wearing full sleeve clothes to minimise skin exposure to harmful and harsh rays of the sun.
Afroza Sheikh,
Dania, Dhaka,
ilcbd2008@gmail.com