Heat is dangerous for the body, but a few precautions can limit the risks.
- A heat wave corresponds to strong heat, day and night, for at least three days.
- Regardless of age or health, heat is always a source of fatigue.
- The elderly, the sick and children are particularly vulnerable in the event of high temperatures.
The thermometer should exceed 40°C this week in several regions of France. “This episode of high heat should therefore evolve into a heat wave., warns Météo France. These weather conditions put the body to the test, and require protection. When temperatures are this high, there is a significant risk of heat stroke or sunstroke.
Is it heatstroke or sunstroke?
Heat stroke is a consequence of prolonged exposure to heat: body temperature rises. This causes fever, redness in the face, headaches, severe thirst, vomiting. Some people may have impaired consciousness, warns the Red Cross. “It mainly threatens children, who are less resistant to high heat, but it can also affect adults.adds the association.
The symptoms of sunstroke can be similar: fever, headache, thirst, cramps, but sunburn, stiff neck and eye problems can also appear. Sunstroke is the result of prolonged exposure to the sun. Like heat stroke, it can have serious consequences: the two pathologies can progress to coma, heart rhythm disorders, bleeding complications, etc.
How to avoid heat-related illnesses?
It is possible to limit the risks by taking a few precautions during very hot days. First, you have to drink water, even if you are not thirsty. It is recommended to drink between 1.5 and 2 liters of water per day. “Do not consumealcohol : this decreases the ability to fight against the heat and promotes the dehydration, emphasizes theHealth Insurance. Also avoid drinks with a high caffeine content (coffee, tea, cola) or very sweet (sodas), as they increase urine secretionIt is also possible to consume more water-rich products, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, cold soups, compotes and dairy products.
At the same time, it is important to limit physical effort as much as possible. If you have no choice, it is better to do them during the cooler hours of the day, before 11 a.m. and after 10 p.m. The ideal is to stay cool, in an air-conditioned place or otherwise to maintain a pleasant temperature inside. “Close the shutters (and/or the curtains) of the windows exposed to the sun, recommend theHealth Insurance. As long as the outside temperature is higher than that recorded in your home, also keep all the windows closed.“As long as the outside air is not fresh, you must keep the openings closed. If at bedtime you have trouble sleeping, a cool but not cold shower can help you fall asleep. Above all, you will have to be patient: the temperatures should not drop before July 18.
Of the #FortesChaleurs will set in early next week with temperatures reaching 38°C on Monday. This heat will be lasting and will extend north during the week with a peak expected on the weekend of 07/16. Evolution in #heat wave to be continued. pic.twitter.com/paZomnWxmP
— VigiMeteoFrance (@VigiMeteoFrance) July 9, 2022
