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The heat wave and its extreme temperatures bring health risks.
Summer has not yet arrived in the Northern Hemisphere and the first heat wave has already occurred, and with it the dangers.
And health authorities warn that the high temperatures that will occur in the coming days could affect people’s health.
In the case of Spain, the Still alert to high temperatures. The heat wave that began last Sunday will continue, at least, until Saturday, according to the state meteorological agency (AEMET).
In this hot weather, the recommendation is that Close monitoring of the most vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, who are at greater risk of heat stroke.
Here’s what you need to know about the effects of heat on the body and how to stay cool.
What does extreme heat do to our bodies?
As the body temperature rises, the blood vessels dilate and open. This makes us have Reduction of Blood pressure The heart works harder to push blood throughout the body.
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Sweating is one of the mechanisms by which our body must maintain a stable internal temperature.
This can cause mild symptoms, such as Itchy rash or swollen feet.
Once, We will start to sweat, and this leads to a loss of fluids and salts And it, crucially, alters the balance between them in the body.
This, along with low blood pressure, can cause us sunstroke or sunstroke. Symptoms include:
- Dizziness
- nausea
- fainting
- muddle
- muscle cramps
- Headache
- heavy sweating
- fatigue
If blood pressure drops too quickly, the risk of heart attack increases.
Why does our body react this way?
Our bodies struggle to maintain Indoor temperature approx 37.5°Cwhether we’re in the middle of a snowstorm or a heat wave.
It’s the temperature our bodies are used to working at.
But as the weather gets warmer, the body has to do so Work hard to keep the temperature low internal.
This is why the blood vessels closest to the skin expand Expel that heat and start sweating.
As the sweat evaporates, the heat loss is severe and the skin cools.
How can I stay safe from heat?
Health authorities give Some advice on this topic:
- Pay attention to those who may find it difficult to stay calm, such as the elderly, people with underlying health conditions, or those who live alone.
- maintenancein Fresh in your home Close curtains in rooms exposed to the sun.
- Baby more water And avoid alcohol.
- Do not leave anyone inside a closed vehicle, especially small children, animals and animals.
- Spends Out in the sun between 11 AM – 3 PMWhen the sun’s rays are stronger.
- seek Being in the shade, use a high sunscreen protection indicator Cover your head with a hat or cap.
- Avoid exercising during hot hours.
- Take water with you if you plan to move.
- Be aware of the dangers that may be present if you decide to swim in a river or in open water to cool off.
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Try to stay in the shade and avoid going out in the middle of the day when it’s hotter.
How can I sleep well at night?
Uses thin sheetsAnd if you’re one of those people who can’t sleep without socks, cool them in the fridge before wearing them and follow a regular bedtime routine, experts recommend.
If the heat is too intense even at night, use a fan and open windows So that air currents are created and the room is cooled.
What should I do if I see someone suffering from heat stroke or heat stroke?
If a person can cool off and return to low temperature in half an hour, Then heat stroke is not dangerous.
Health authorities advise:
- Move them to a cooler place.
- make it be Lie down and raise your feet little bit.
- do it drink a lot of water. Sports or rehydration drinks are also a good option.
- Cool your skin. You can spray it with water, wipe it with a sponge or cloth previously immersed in cold water, or air it. Cold compresses around the neck and armpits are also good.
So after doing all this Does not recover after 30 minutes, followed by heat stroke.
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Drink plenty of water and avoid alcoholic beverages.
This is one medical emergency You should contact the emergency services of the country in which you are.
People who suffer from heat stroke or heat stroke Stop sweating even if it’s very hot. Their temperature can exceed 40°C and they may have seizures or lose consciousness.
Who is more at risk?
The Old age or some chronic diseaseLike heart disease, it can make people less able to handle the stress that heat puts on the body.
The diabetic It can cause the body to lose water faster, and some complications of this disease can impair blood vessels and the ability to sweat.
The Children And that Persons with limited mobility They may also be more at risk.
The brain diseasesLike dementia, it can make some people unaware of the heat or unable to do anything about it.
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It’s a good idea to keep your head protected and your skin cool.
The homeless They will also be more exposed to sunlight.
These people who live in tops of buildings They will also experience higher temperatures.
Are there medications that increase the risks?
Yes but the people They should continue to take their medication as usual And go above and beyond to keep your body cool and hydrated.
The diureticsSometimes called “water pills,” they increase the amount of fluid your body expels. They are widely used, including for heart failure. As temperatures rise, the risks of dehydration and an imbalance of some essential minerals in the body increase.
The Antihypertensiveswhich lower blood pressure, can, along with heat dilation of blood vessels, lead to dangerous drops in blood pressure.
some medicine The devilsSia and Parkinson’s disease It can prevent sweating and make it difficult for the body to cool down.
Other medicines such as Lithium and statins It can become more concentrated and irritate in the blood if there is excessive fluid loss.
Can heat kill?
only in Spain, Since 2015 There was almost 12,000 deaths attributed to heat, according to data provided by the Salud Carlos III Institute on excess mortality (MoMo Report). Most of these deaths are usually caused by Heart attacks and strokes The result of the body’s effort to try to maintain a stable body temperature, and evidence suggests that A large portion of the deaths occur as temperatures rise in the spring or early summerRather than occurring during the ‘peak summer’.
This may be because, at first, we have not yet acclimated, and then, as the summer progresses, we adapt our daily behaviour, habits and clothes and get used to dealing with the heat. The evidence from previous heat waves is that the increase in deaths occurs very quickly, within the first 24 hours of a heat wave.
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