Sunstroke in Afghanistan

   Written by: Muhammad Nasir Sirat

The summer season is hot in most parts of Afghanistan, and a number of people face various health problems in this season. One of these problems is sunstroke.

AEPO’s writer/producer has talked to some people and a physician about this problem.

Mustafa Alakozai, a resident of Herat province says: “I was suffering sunstroke and I had a headache and Lethargy and they took me to the hospital.”

Hamid Gul, a resident of Logar province says: “the weather was too hot, I felt darkness in my eyes and I slid unconsciousness after a few minutes.”

Doctor Hasibullah Najib, internist in one of the private hospitals in Kabul city says: “Fever, changes in mental status or behavior, such as confusion, agitation, slurred speech, hot, dry skin. heavy sweating, nausea and vomiting, rapid pulse, rapid breathing and headache, excessive fatigue, decreased urine output are the symptoms of sunstroke. Sunstroke could also have a negative effect on the brain and heart. In this case, the blood pressure might lower and if not treated on time, the health condition of the patient might be worsened.”

  Causes:

Muhammad Idris Noori, a resident of Kabul city says: “working and traveling under direct sun rays, not drinking water or other drinks during these times and dehydration are the causes of sunstroke.”

Doctor Najib says: “working under the direct sun rays as construction workers, farmers, long way traveler and those who exercise in hot weather mostly face sunstroke. heart patients, addicts and psychiatric patients who are exposed to the sun rays, might suffer sunstroke because they do not have the ability to absorb warmth.”

prevention:

Hard workers should schedule their work during early morning and in the afternoon. Those who have travel, they should have an umbrella and enough drinking water with themselves and put on white clothes.

First Aids and Treatment:

A mother from Kapisa province says: “my family members are farmers and they have to work under the sun. whenever someone suffers from sunstroke, at the beginning, we take him to a shadow and then we pour some water on his face and body; when he becomes able to drink, we prepare a lemon and barberry juice for him.”

doctor also says that the patient should be carried to a cold place or under a tree shadow. If the patient was able to drink, give him/her some lemon juice and other liquids. Splash water on his/her face and after getting better, he/she must be carried to the nearest clinic.”