Heatwave. How to survive and how to behave in such weather?

During a heatwave, it can be difficult for our body to compensate for the high ambient temperature and cool itself down. Consequences include overheating and heatstroke. The risk increases in conditions of high humidity, when sweat evaporates at a slower rate, and also depends on one's health status.

Age, obesity, fever or dehydration, heart and mental illnesses, poor circulation, sunburn, medication use, and alcohol — all of this affects how we tolerate hot weather.

But even young people without chronic diseases can feel unwell in the heat. You can avoid this by:

spend less time outdoors, especially in the middle of the day when the temperature is highest. If you work or train outdoors, take frequent breaks in the shade or in an air-conditioned room, during which you should drink water.

Use sunscreen and don't forget to reapply it to your skin after a certain period.

Reconsider the intensity of your sports training — start activities with a low load and increase it gradually. This same principle should be applied during normal work.

Wear light and loose clothing of light colors. If you work outdoors, wear headwear. Check on your friend or neighbor and ask them to do the same for you.

Do not cook food using a stove or oven, as this will make the indoor temperature even higher. Take a cold shower or bath to cool your body. Drink more water than usual; don't wait for thirst.

Avoid direct sunlight and seek shade if possible. Do not leave children or animals alone in a car. Eat less.

Prioritize fruits rich in fiber and juices, and avoid foods high in protein — the body will find it difficult to digest them in the heat.

At risk are elderly people, especially those over 75, children under two years old, as well as people with chronic diseases, including heart, kidney, or lung conditions, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and some mental illnesses.

Also at risk are those who spend a lot of time outdoors or in hot environments, for example, those living on the upper floors of high-rise buildings, homeless people, or those who work outdoors.

Heat Exhaustion

This is the name for a clinical syndrome that can occur after exposure to high temperatures and is often accompanied by dehydration.

Two types of heat exhaustion are distinguished. The first, related to lack of water, is indicated by excessive thirst, headache, weakness, and loss of consciousness.

There is also a second type of heat exhaustion, caused by a lack of salts in the body necessary to maintain proper water levels. In this case, symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, and dizziness are noted. And it is also important: during a heatwave, one should pay close attention to symptoms such as pale skin, excessive sweating, fatigue, and confusion.

Heat exhaustion is not life-threatening, but if its symptoms are not taken seriously, it can escalate into a much more dangerous phenomenon — heatstroke.

Therefore, if you or someone near you has the symptoms mentioned above, your first step is to immediately go to a cool place and rest, preferably in an air-conditioned room. It is also advised to drink plenty of fluids and avoid coffee and alcohol, as these beverages, on the contrary, promote fluid excretion from the body.

You should remove excess clothing and take a cold shower or bath, or at least wipe your body with a wet cold sponge. Other methods to cool yourself can also be used, such as placing a wet cold towel on your forehead.

If all these measures do not help within 15 minutes, you should immediately seek professional medical help.

Heatstroke

This is the most serious medical consequence of heat. Heatstroke can occur when the body, due to heat, can no longer control its own temperature. This happens as follows: body temperature rises, the sweating mechanism is disrupted, and the body loses its ability to cool itself.

During heatstroke, a person's body temperature can rise to 40-41 degrees in just 10-15 minutes. This, in turn, can quickly cause serious damage to the brain, heart, kidneys, and muscles. If measures are not taken, heatstroke can lead to disability or even death.

Symptoms of heatstroke are as follows:

• high body temperature (40 degrees or even higher). This is the main sign of heatstroke.
• Changes in mental state or behavior. Confusion, unhealthy agitation, slurred speech, irritability, delirium, seizures, and coma — all of these can be results of heatstroke.
• Abnormal sweating. If heatstroke is caused by hot weather, your skin will be hot and dry.
• Also, in heatstroke caused by strenuous physical activity, the skin will be dry or only slightly moist.
• Nausea and vomiting. Reddened skin. Rapid breathing and pulse. Headache.

In case of heatstroke, doctors advise immediately seeking medical attention. While waiting for it, move the person suffering from heatstroke to the shade or indoors and remove any excess clothing.

Then try to cool the person's body by any possible means.

Place them in a cold bath or shower, soak a sponge with cold water and wipe their body, place ice packs or wet cold towels on the person's head, neck, armpits, and groin.

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