HEALTH MINISTRY ISSUES HEATWAVE GUIDELINES; THE RISKS OF FORCE-FEEDING UNCONSCIOUS INDIVIDUALS

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in India issued guidelines to combat the heatwave in the country. India has been witnessing heatwave conditions over several regions including Telangana, Kerala, Odisha, Jharkhand, Vidarbha region Maharashtra, Gangetic West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that severe heatwave conditions will persist for a few days.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the ministry said, “Heatwaves are here, but we can be prepared!” It also said, “If you feel lightheaded or uneasy, prepare for a heatwave by following these first aid instructions: drink water to rehydrate, take off your clothes if you can, get to a cooler location right away, sponge with water, and do not force feed or provide water if you are unconscious.

India Heatwave Guidelines:

The guidelines highlight that a person who is unconscious shouldn’t be force-fed as it could give rise to several complications. Here, take a look at why you shouldn’t force-feed anyone who has fainted.

Choking Hazard

Unconscious people cannot control their throat muscles. Normally, the throat coordinates swallowing to make sure that the food goes into the oesophagus and not the windpipe. When the person is unconscious and without conscious control, the food can easily block the airway, leading to choking.

Risk of Aspiration

When a person is unconscious, their pharyngeal reflex which prevents food from going down the windpipe, is not active. When you feed someone food or liquid when they’re unconscious, it can cause aspiration. This is a condition wherein the food or water enters the lungs instead of the stomach. This can lead to aspiration pneumonia which can cause severe lung damage and other complications.

Absence of Reflexes

Reflexes like coughing or throat clearing which help get rid of unwanted substances from the throat are suppressed or absent in an unconscious person. This increases the risk of respiratory complications if food or liquids are given to them.

Oral and Dental Injury

Forcing anything into the mouth of an unconscious person can cause physical injuries such as damage to the teeth, gums or the inside of the mouth. These can be extremely painful and may need additional medical treatment.

Rather than force-feeding an unconscious person, you can take the following steps to take care of and manage a person who falls unconscious due to extreme heat.

Cool Environment

It is important that you move the person to a cool and shaded area away from direct sunlight immediately. If they’re indoors, turn on fans or air conditioner to help lower the temperature. This will help to reduce their exposure to heat and allow their body to cool down.

Clothing and Cool Compresses

Loosen or remove any tight or unnecessary clothing. This will help the person’s body cool properly. Apply cool, damp cloths or towels to their forehead, neck, armpits and groin area, as these are areas where blood vessels are closer to the skin's surface, thereby, helping in heat loss.

Check their Vital Signs

Make sure that you continuously monitor the person’s vital signs, including their breathing and pulse rate. If the person does not improve or if their condition worsens, such as losing consciousness or experiencing seizures, call for professional medical assistance immediately.

Rehydrate with Water

If the person is conscious and able to swallow, give them small sips of cool water or a rehydration solution. This will help to replenish lost fluids.

2024-05-06T04:58:47Z dg43tfdfdgfd