Residents in Riyadh are sweltering in the scorching summer heat with maximum temperature in the city reached 48 degree Centigrade. The harsh weather has forced people to keep indoors and outdoor activities are now down to the minimum. Saudi and foreign schools have already announced extended summer vacation that includes the holy fasting month of Ramadan. Streets in the capital during noon often wear a deserted look and polyclinics that operate 24-hour have reported less number of patients during daytime. Polyclinics have reported fewer patients as most of the people are keeping indoors, a sign that indicates fair amount of awareness about the heat wave that might cause health disorders. Patients with minor ailments prefer to visit during the evening hours when the temperatures are comparatively lower, said a polyclinic official. Dr. Rajashekhar Muniswamy at a polyclinic in Riyadh has, however, warned the people not to leave their children in parked vehicles, a practice frequently seen among parents when they go for quick purchases at shopping centers. “The day temperatures are very high that can cause suffocation if children are left in the parked cars,” he warned. He said other heat-related problems commonly reported during hot summer include cramps, a painful condition, usually affecting leg muscles. Those who continue to attend fitness centers in hot weather should be cautious of such cramps, he said. People experience cramps because of low extra-cellular sodium caused due to the lack of replenishment of water and prolonged sweating. He said in high environmental temperatures, particularly with high humidity, vigorous exercise or working very hard wearing clothing inhibit the heat loss and might aggravate suddenly the body temperature resulting in a health condition called heat exhaustion. Symptoms for such a condition include weakness or exhaustion, dizziness and syncope, with a body temperature of 37°C defined as heat illness due to exertion, particularly after exercise. People should also consume lots of water during the day to avoid dehydration, he said. Heat injury is another heat-related problem commonly called as heatstroke. He said heat injury is an acute life-threatening situation when core temperature rises above 41°C. Symptoms of heat stroke include headache, nausea, vomiting and weakness and sweating is often absent. Aged and those with diabetes or on regular medications should take extra caution against the heat stroke. In a circular issued to the employees, the company's management has said temperatures in Riyadh and other cities such as Jeddah, Dammam, Jubail are expected to reach more than 48 degree Celsius. The Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME) has advised people to stay indoors during the coming few weeks because of the expected heat wave. The hottest time of the day when temperatures recording reached its peak are from 12 noon to 3 P.M.
