Extreme Dry Winds In Pakistan - How They Are Affecting Health? | Loaded Health
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Extreme Dry Winds In Pakistan – How They Are Affecting Health?

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Are you residing in Pakistan and recently started experiencing nose bleeds? Or excessive lethargy? Or Dryness/itchiness in your throat? If ‘YES’ you might be a victim of the extreme dry winds in Pakistan that are taking place in various regions across the country nowadays. 

I was attending to victims of this dry weather on daily basis as a doctor. But I decided to write and share my information on it when one of my dear friends started having the same symptoms as being discussed. I think it’s important for everyone to know the issues they are facing health-wise due to extreme dry winds in Pakistan and how to cope up with them.

So, in this article, I will be discussing with you how these extreme dry winds in Pakistan are affecting the human body and the overall health of people. Furthermore, why they are occurring? What symptoms you might experience? and how you can prevent them? 

Extreme Dry Winds In Pakistan

Since the very end of March’21 30th or 31st. The country started to experience sudden changes in weather. The weather became hot and dry, and there is a feeling of being in a dessert in fact. Mostly people from Punjab cities including Islamabad, Lahore, Gujranwala, and south of Punjab. With that Sindh and some areas of Balochistan also experience the same.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department has already mentioned it before coming but not many people keep an eye on it. When the weather changes residents of Pakistan think that they are entering into summer. But this summer is different from the start though!

Hot waves around the country reported up to 40 degrees Celsius in most of the areas. As per Pakistan Meteorological Department, this will remain so till a week or two. But this was not the hot weather that was bothering the citizens but the extreme dry winds in Pakistan which were the main concern.

WHY THERE ARE EXTREME DRY WINDS IN PAKISTAN?

The report received from The Pakistan Meteorological Department states that:

  • There will be not one but two heat waves that will hit the 3 major provinces of Pakistan that are Sindh, Punjab, and Balochistan. 
  • The possibility of thunderstorms is still there along with gusty winds in KPK and Punjab. 
  • Until mid-April temperature across the country will become comparatively normal.
  • The extreme dry winds in Pakistan are due to the exchange of direction of winds that is from southwest to northwest. It will remain so for a week or 2.

Extreme Dry Winds In Pakistan Are Affecting Health

The main purpose of this article on Loaded Health is not to discuss the weather conditions occurring around the country but the ways and reasons involved in creating the health disaster due to these extreme dry winds in Pakistan.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS PEOPLE FACING FROM EXTREME DRY WINDS IN PAKISTAN?

Being a health care professional I am recently observing the increasing number of cases from these symptoms are burdening the health care facilities in this Pandemic of COVID-19. 

Most of the people are observing these symptoms after the sudden weather change occurs in Pakistan:

  • Skin Dryness. 
  • Itchiness in the throat.
  • Parched lips.
  • Dryness in eyes.
  • Bleeding from the nose.
  • Headache.
  • Lethargy.
  • Difficulty in breathing.

Reasons for These Symptoms

The reason for the symptoms people facing in these extreme dry winds in Pakistan is due to low humidity in the air and a temperature rise. The humidity in the air dropped a lot from usual. 

For Example: Let us discuss Karachi. 

Usually, Karachi city is more humid than other cities as it’s a nearby seashore. The usual humidity is 50% or more for this city. 

The Humdity count of Karachi on 29th March’21 at 12 pm was 50%. But from 30th March’21 and onwards till date this is the decline of humidity in the city.

  • 30/3/21 12 pm – 37%
  • 31/3/21 12pm – 5%
  • 1/4/21 12pm – 5%
  • 2/4/21 12pm – 8%
  • 3/4/21 12pm – 19%

This also applied to other cities. Every area was facing the same problem. In fact, the temperature remains no lesser than 38-degree Celsius throughout this period.

How to Prevent Symptoms Caused By Extreme Dry Winds In Pakistan

Here are some precautions and preventive measures you can do for yourself to minimize the effect of extreme dry winds in Pakistan and their health effects:

  • Stay hydrated.
  • Avoid direct sun exposure
  • Don’t unnecessarily leave your house.
  • Cover your head to prevent direct sun exposure.
  • Wear a mask whenever you go out.
  • Don’t eat outside food.
  • Avoid doing strenuous activities for few days.
  • Wear breathable clothing.

Rush To The Hospital if You Have

If you have any of these symptoms or anyone nearby, please take professional help as they might be due to heat exhaustion or heat stroke. These includes:

  • Dizziness.
  • Fast breathing
  • Syncopy.
  • Palpitations
  • Confusion 
  • Raised body temperature
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Muscular cramps 

HEAT EXHAUSTION VS HEAT STROKE

heat exhaustion vs heat stroke

What to Do During Extreme Dry Winds In Pakistan?

This is what you can do to deal with these extreme dry winds in Pakistan and their health effects:

  • Carry a water bottle with you whenever you go out, keep on having water in sips throughout the course of your day. More than 1.5L will be sufficient for you on average.
  • Wear light-colored and loose clothes.
  • Wear a sunblock 15 minutes before leaving your house.
  • Take daily showers.
  • Wear a mask no matter what.
  • To avoid dry skin use moisturizers or coconut oil after bath.
  • Use Vaseline on lips to avoiding cracking.
  • With water, intake also consumes natural juices, coconut water, and ORS to replenish your electrolyte loss.
  • Stay indoors whenever possible.
  • Cover your head with scarves and caps.
  • Eat a healthy balanced diet and always eat before leaving the house so chances of eating outside will be less.
  • You can also use artificial humidifiers for your indoors.

The Key Point

The main point and purpose of this whole article are to explain to you that you should and you must remain hydrated in this situation of extreme dry winds in Pakistan. If you fail to do so it might not be good for you and your health as per the details mentioned above. Only water and being adequately hydrated along with the above-mentioned preventive measures such as wearing a mask and avoiding direct sun exposure can save you from the worst consequences of the extreme dry winds in Pakistan. But WATER is still the key point to remember here. Stay hydrated stay safe!

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Dr. Riffat Humayun

I am a doctor by profession. Working as healthcare worker since 2015. With that also working as an experienced freelance writer, blogger, SEO expert, and content creator + strategist for a few years now. Position at loadedhealth.com - Author, content strategist, senior editor, SEO expert

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