With rising temperatures, the number of heat-related illnesses is increasing. The highest number of cases being reported are of abdominal pain, followed by unconsciousness, the data from 108 GVK Emergency Management and Research Institute (EMRI) reveals. Since April 2, 2019, the 108 emergency services have reported 2,812 cases of illnesses due to heat exhaustion or dehydration. The highest incidences among them, accounting for 48% of the total registered cases, are abdominal pain and unconsciousness cases. The services reported 794 cases of abdominal pain and 562 cases of unconsciousness, followed by fall victims (363) and patients with complaint of chest pain (356). These are only the illnesses that have been reported with the system, while there could be more cases which go unreported. "Every summer, we receive a number of calls regarding different health problems. The number of particular cases such as abdominal pain, unconsciousness, falling, fainting and nose bleeds, increases during summer. These are the result of dehydration that happens because of summer heat," said Jasvan Prajapati, chief operating officer of 108 GVK EMRI. According to doctors, the different types of illnesses that afflict people during summer are basically attributed to dehydration. "In the summer, one must keep oneself hydrated to avoid any kind of negative impact of heat. Anyone who does not stay hydrated could experience the adverse effects of heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke," said Dr Pravin Garg, a senior family physician. "One must wear light-coloured cotton clothes and the elderly, children and pregnant women must take extra care," added the doctor. NO RESPITE At present, the mercury is hovering around 37 degree Celsius and according to the Indian Meteorological Department, it is expected to rise to around 41 degree Celsius by next week

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