Noida: As relentless heatwave conditions grip NCR, hospitals have seen a rise in patients with headaches, excessive thirst, dizziness, fatigue and brain fog despite drinking plenty of water. Neurologists warned that extreme heat, electrolyte imbalance, poor sleep, pollution and repeated shifts between outdoor heat and freezing air-conditioning — often described as ‘AC shock’ — are placing serious stress on the nervous system.Doctors say the problem is no longer just dehydration. Instead, excessive sweating during prolonged heat exposure causes a dangerous electrolyte imbalance, where the body loses essential salts like sodium and potassium faster than they are replaced. Office-goers, commuters, delivery workers and elderly residents are the worst affected.“Your brain cells rely on electrolytes like sodium and potassium to function properly. During continuous sweating, these salts are lost rapidly. If someone keeps drinking only plain water without replacing electrolytes, sodium levels in the blood can become diluted, which may cause mild swelling in brain cells and trigger throbbing headaches, dizziness and fatigue,” the director of Neurology at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Noida, Dr Manish Gupta, said. “Electrolytes are extremely important during heatwaves because the balance of fluids around the brain depends on them.”Doctors say extreme heat exposure forces the body to divert more blood towards the skin surface to cool itself, reducing blood circulation to the brain and triggering headaches, fatigue and concentration problems.A senior neurology consultant at Fortis Noida, Dr Neha Pandita, said, “The problem is intensified by poor-quality sleep because the night temperatures are also high. There is no scope for proper cooling. Migraine sufferers are especially vulnerable during these conditions.”Doctors said NCR’s heat is more dangerous because it is combined with pollution and dust exposure. “Fine dust particles and pollutants can irritate nerves directly and trigger neuroinflammation. Pollution exposure also reduces oxygen delivery to the brain. When this is combined with glare, heat stress and long commuting hours, the nervous system remains under constant stress, which increases fatigue, headaches and concentration problems,” Dr Gupta said.Experts say several daily habits are unknowingly worsening the problem. “The warning signs that may indicate something more serious than a simple headache include confusion, fainting, seizures, reduced urine output, persistent vomiting and altered consciousness,” said Dr Aman Kumar, consultant – Internal Medicine, Manipal Hospital, Ghaziabad. “These symptoms can signal heat exhaustion or heat stroke and require urgent medical attention. Excessive intake of sugary drinks, caffeine or alcohol can aggravate dehydration. Regular intake of water along with ORS or electrolyte-rich fluids helps maintain hydration and reduces the risk of heat-related disorders.”Doctors said residents should switch to oral rehydration solution (ORS) as it quickly restores lost electrolytes. Homemade lemonade with a pinch of salt and a little sugar, coconut water and lightly salted soups and buttermilk are also effective natural options. Curd, bananas, watermelon, muskmelon and oranges can help restore the balance. Light home-cooked meals such as dal, curd-rice, seasonal fruits and vegetables are easier on the body and prevent fatigue.
