Him ten thousand to avoid the health effects of the upcoming heat wave, summarizes Theodora Psaltopoulou, professor of Therapeutics, Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine at the School of Medicine of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens:

  1. We are in shady areas and avoid unnecessary movements.
  2. We avoid heavy physical work and dress in light clothes. We use sunglasses and a hat.
  3. We minimize manual work outdoors.
  4. We consume a lot of water and light meals.
  5. We avoid overconsumption of alcohol, caffeine or sugar.
  6. We never leave a child or a pet in a car because high temperatures develop quickly inside it.
  7. When we have been in a place with a high temperature it is good to follow a lukewarm bath.
  8. Telecommuting can offer greater opportunities to avoid high temperatures, which can be especially present when commuting.
  9. Special attention should be paid to three categories: People over 60 years of age, infants and people with morbidities, receiving medication.
  10. Because there is a risk of dehydration and heatstroke, the first warning signs that something is wrong are weakness, dizziness, nausea and headache, as well as fever.
  • Dehydration. A lot of fluids are lost through sweat along with essential minerals such as sodium and potassium. It is necessary to move to a cool place and take an oral hydration solution, e.g. with salt and sugar. Severe cases need urgent care, including intravenous fluids.
  • Heat stroke. In this case body temperature cannot be controlled. The skin becomes hot and dry. The person may have a fast pulse, nausea and headache. If left untreated it can cause seizures, coma and can be a life threatening condition.
  • Sunburn. Bare skin burns if exposed too much to the sun, especially at high temperatures. It may become red, painful and warm to the touch. If the burn is severe, it may blister. In the long term, sunburn increases the risk of skin cancer. Prevention of sunburn is done with clothes, hats and sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 30.

Anything that is out of the ordinary, it is good to contact a specialist or the family doctor.