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Chilly weather to continue; health warning to seniors with heart and respiratory issues
View(s):By Nadia Fazlulhaq
Dr. Shiromi Maduwage, the consultant community physician at the Health Ministry’s youth, elderly and disability unit, said those above 60 years of age and having health conditions, especially respiratory and heart-related ailments, should protect themselves from both kinds of weather.
Weather in the Nuwara Eliya district dipped to six degrees Celsius withground frost reported in several areas. Pix by Sheltion Hettiarachchi
Though dehydration, dry skin, and chapped lips were common during the chilly weather, a less noticeable concern was a tendency among older people to sleep long hours, skip meals, and drink less liquid, she pointed out.
Dr. Maduwage also said the elderly should try to stay warm during the mornings and urged those with respiratory illnesses not to miss medication.
The sudden drop in temperatures has seen a rise in heart patients seeking in-house treatments in hospitals, according to Colombo South Teaching Hospital consultant physician Dr. Nandana Dickmadugoda.
Taking shade from the heat. M.A.Pushpa Kumara
“Cold temperatures increase the heart rate. Those having heart ailments should avoid being exposed to both the cold weather and the hot sun,” he said.
The increased prevalence of flu and influenza viruses, together with poor nutrition, and low immunity levels would make bodies more vulnerable to weather changes, Dr. Dickmadugoda warned.
The experts advised families to keep a close watch on elderly people, especially those who live alone, and have emergency numbers displayed in a visible place.
Meteorology Department Director Dr. Shiromani Jayawardena said the current cold weather would remain till the first week of February.
This week, weather in the Nuwara Eliya district dipped to six degrees Celsius with ground frost reported in several areas. Badulla and Bandarawela, too, recorded chilly weather in the mornings.
Elsewhere, the cold weather prevailed largely in the mornings with temperatures spiking around noon. Colombo and Hambantota recorded the highest temperature of 31 degrees Celsius on Thursday, with the lowest temperature being 21 degrees Celsius in Colombo and 23 in Hambantota.
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