Take precautions and protect yourself from the sun and from high temperatures

Heatstroke occurs when body temperature rises above 40C. Our bodies have internal temperature control mechanisms that are stable at around 37 degrees.
If you have heatstroke, these mechanisms fail or are insufficient. Our body temperature starts rising and causes different health problems. Elderly people and children are most vulnerable to this phenomenon.

What are the symptoms of heatstroke?

The first thing you need to remember is that heatstroke is not the same as sunstroke. In the former, body temperature increase even through the person has not been directly exposed to the sun. This may be a result of ambient temperature or physical exertion. With sunstroke, the person has been in direct contact with the sun, but the consequences are virtually identical.

• It starts with heavy sweating, but then there is not enough sweat.
• Hot skin.
• Dryness and skin reddening.
• A fever of more than 39.5C.
• Dizziness.
• Confusion.
• Disorientation.
• Headache.
• Fainting.
• Fitting.

In serious cases, it can cause:

• Vomiting
• Loss of consciousness.
• Dyspnoea or breathing difficulties.

This is an emergency, and requires immediate medical attention. Call the emergency services or take the person to a health centre.

How can I avoid heatstroke?

• Drink more fluids than usual when the weather is hot. Don’t wait until you are thirsty. Two litres of water or juice, smoothies, ice tea, etc., every day.
• Drinks containing alcohol and caffeine are diuretic and tend to make you dehydrated.
• Stay indoors during the hottest time of the day. If you do have to go outside, try to stay in the shade and protect your head with hats and caps.
• Restrict exercise to first thing in the morning and late evening. This will stop the rays of the sun from falling perpendicularly on you.
• On stifling days, when you go out to exercise, take an isotonic drink with you to replace lost salts.
• If you start feeling dizzy or tired, find some shade, loosen your clothing and wet your body with water.
• Wear light clothes in light colours that allow your skin to perspire so that your body cools down.
• If you go to the beach, take a parasol with you and avoid sunbathing between 13.00 and 16.00.
• Lower the blinds, roll out all the awnings and keep the shades down at midday. Ventilate rooms at dusk and first thing in the morning.
• Never sit in a parked car with the windows and doors closed in the sun and do not allow children or elderly people to do so. The temperature in the car can soar by ten degrees in just five minutes.

If someone gets heatstroke, put him or her in the shade, or close to a fan or source of cold. Call the emergency services, loosen his or her clothing, cool him or her down with wet towels on the back of the neck, forehead and underarms and give him or her a drink. Act quickly and decisively and you will be able to control the symptoms.

This post is also available in: Spanish