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Punjab’ civil surgeon issues advisory against cold wave
The advisory suggested to stock required woollen clothes and wear several layers of lightweight clothes instead of one layer of heavy clothing as tight clothes reduce the blood flow. Extra food, drinking water, medicine and other emergency supplies need to be stocked
As the cold wave continues to grip Punjab, the state’s health department civil surgeon Hitinder Kaur issued an advisory on Wednesday asking residents to take precautions against the ongoing cold wave.
In the advisory, Kaur suggesting to keep an eye on weather forecast said people should strictly follow the instructions of health department to stay safe in this bone-chilling cold conditions.
“People should check local weather forecast on radio, TV, or newspaper. The alert given by Indian Metrological Department (IMD) should be tracked,” she added.
The advisory suggested to stock required woollen clothes and wear several layers of lightweight clothes instead of one layer of heavy clothing as tight clothes reduce the blood flow. Extra food, drinking water, medicine and other emergency supplies need to be stocked, she added.
In case of symptoms of flu, runny nose, hypothermia, frostbite after prolonged exposure to cold, one should immediately see a doctor. Stay at home and avoid unnecessary travel to protect oneself from the contact of cold wave, the advisory noted.
Keep yourself dry, cover your head, neck, hands, and toes adequately. Prefer mittens over gloves, as they provide more warmth and insulation. Use winter caps, mufflers, and wear insulated/waterproof shoes, she added.
Eat fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin-c to maintain adequate immunity. Drink warm fluids regularly, as it will retain body heat to fight the cold wave.
Kaur said, “Prolonged exposure to cold can cause pale, hard and numb skin, and black blisters on exposed body parts, for this immediate medical advice is suggested.”
Watch out for symptoms of frostbite such as numbness in fingers, toes, earlobes, and tip of nose, white or pale appearance when exposed to cold. Treat frostbitten areas with lukewarm water, she added.
Severe exposure to a cold wave can cause hypothermia - a drop in body temperature that can cause tremors in speech, sleepiness, muscle stiffness and difficulty in breathing.
The advisory further suggests not to ignore the shivering as it is among the initial signs of body lacking heat. Avoid alcohol as it lowers your body temperature and increases the risk of hypothermia.
