Cases of Diarrhea, heat stroke rise in Delhi

With the blistering heat, rise in humidity levels and the continuous spell of hot waves over the last few days has led to a spike in the number of cases of diarrhea, dehydration and heat exhaustion in the national Capital.

Hospitals like Safdarjung, Ram Manohar Lohia and Lok Nayak Hospital have reported almost 25-30 per cent increase in patients in the out-patients departments (OPDs).

"The OPDs are jam-packed with patients complaining of dehydration, dizziness and diarrhoea. Microbial activities escalate in hot and humid weather and can cause severe gastroenteritis and stomach infections," said Dr A K Rai, the medical superintendent of Safdarjung Hospital.

He advised people to avoid road-side food and juices in this weather .

Rai also asked to drink lots of water, as excess sweating causes hydration.

According to Dr S P Byotra, the chairman of the department of medicine at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, most of the patients coming with such complaints are either children or people who work outdoors.