How to get rid of the heat of the beginning of the summer. Doctors' advice to get rid of discomfort
After heavy rainfall, Romania is hit by a wave of tropical temperatures and the heat can seriously affect our health, doctors say. Specialists teach us how to protect ourselves during extreme heat.
The heat is seriously affecting the photo of the photo archive
June comes with extremely high temperatures. According to the National Meteorological Administration (ANM), they are announced for the entire month higher than the specific ones, in most part of the country. There are days when temperatures will reach 37 degrees Celsius. Under these conditions, especially children, old people and people with chronic conditions can have quite serious problems if they do not take action. Even the other categories of the population are protected from potential inconveniences caused by heat, and doctors offer some useful tips to overcome the heat.
The hours we don't get out of the house and the optimum room temperature
Corneliu Saradan is a doctor with extensive experience in the Botosani Public Health Directorate, working in the prevention area. He says that heat temperatures can give us serious headaches if we do not protect ourselves properly. First of all, says the Botosanian doctor, we would ideally limit the movements between 11.00 and 18.00, when solar radiations have maximum effect and can affect us in a mutidud of modes. In this interval it is recommended that babies, young children, pregnant women, elderly, but also people suffering from cardiovascular, liver, renal, pulmonary or mental disorders to avoid leaving the home. And room temperature is important.
“It is ideal that there is no difference greater than five degrees between the outside temperature and the one in the room. And this is because a thermal imbalance can occur when we go outside. We have to take care of the air conditioning. You can instead take refreshing shots or baths, but not with cold water, because we cause a totally opposite response.”says Corneliu Saradan. Last but not least, say the specialists, we have to get rid of the hot air in the house. It is recommended to activate the kitchen hood to remove the hot air, as well as the fan in the bathroom to remove the steam when we take a bath. We must not forget to close the appliances or luminaires that are unnecessarily open.
Clothes made of natural materials
If we have to go out, we must avoid long exposure to the sun in open space. In addition, increased attention is needed for the clothes we wear. The summer hat, with wide borons, should not be missing to protect our face. “It is advisable to wear white or light color clothes. Under no circumstances are black clothes because they completely absorb sunlight and transform it in heat. Also, the clothes should be made of natural fibers, such as the cotton, known for their ability to absorb perspiration.”adds the Botosanian doctor. It is advisable not to walk with areas of the body directly exposed to the sun. For example, it is preferably a thin shirt than a shirt.
Every quarter of an hour a glass of water
And if I still went out, besides the recommended outfit, it is necessary to hydrate. “We have to drink water, about two liters a day. Or if it is very hot, drink a glass of water every quarter of an hour. We should not wait for us to be thirsty. When we are thirsty, we are already dehydrated.”says Corneliu Saradan. Eventually, we can drink natural juices. To avoid are carbonated drinks, sweet drinks, coffee and alcoholic beverages. “Coffee has diuretic effect and carbonated drinks should be avoided. Alcohol, as well, is diuretic, leads to dehydration and an overheating of the body.”adds Saradan.
Many fruits and vegetables
In addition to hydration, we must also take care of food. Doctors especially recommend fruits and vegetables. Especially juicy fruits. “They are rich in water. They have vitamin C and electrolytes. Watermelon is excellent during this period”says the doctor. White beans, spinach, apricots, avocado and bananas are some of the fruits and vegetables rich in electrolytes. Breastfeeding mothers need additional caution. It is advisable to hydrate properly, to take a bath per day, with water at room temperature, mandatory in the evening before bedtime.
The heat is deadly
If we do not protect ourselves from excessive heat, we do not hydrate and do not fed correctly, the heat can cause serious problems. In 2022, excessive heat killed over 60,000 Europeans, says “The Guardian”. The most affected were cardiacs, hypertensives but also those suffering from kidney and pulmonary problems. The most common impairment of the body produced by the heat is insolation. It is characterized by headaches, weaknesses, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, excessive thirst.
Doctors recommend that we go to the shade, if we have such symptoms, and put a wet towel in the head area, to cool us. We must immediately hydrate ourselves and possibly take rehydration salts. If we present wet and hot skin (without sweating), confusion, seizures or fainting must be announced the emergency services.
