Health advice for dealing with summer heat

Update 1 August: With yet another heatwave forecast, it seems opportune to repost this advice.

Original post 27 June:  Now that it’s summer, and with summer beginning with some force, it’s worth repeating the medical advice that Sanidad always offers for dealing with the hot weather. This particularly affects the over 65s, children, pregnant women, and those suffering some medical conditions.

Recommendations are:

• avoid all physical exercise in the open air
• avoid exposure to the sun and heat where possible
• drink more water to ensure we are well hydrated and to avoid heatstroke
• avoid large meals and alcohol, coffee, tea or sugared drinks because they can cause dehydration
• stay out of the sun between midday and 4pm, when the sun’s rays are almost vertical and radiation at its greatest
• keep in the shade
• wear loose fitting, light coloured, natural fibre clothes if going out is unavoidable
• wear head protection if going out is unavoidable

Symptoms of being affected by the heat include fainting or lightheadedness, nausea, palpitations. Children might become irritable and lose their appetite. If you feel any symptoms from the sun, try to cool yourself immediately, whether with a sponge, damp towel or shower, drink water, and if you do not feel better quickly, seek medical help.