In summer there is a high risk of heat stroke or hyperthermia as temperatures can reach 35 or even 40 degrees. This means a change for our body, which must constantly adapt to both the temperature outside and the air conditioning in enclosed spaces.
Older people are at the greatest risk of suffering from hyperthermia.
Hyperthermia develops when our body’s thermal regulation mechanisms are unable to respond to high temperatures. This can have serious repercussions that can lead to irreversible organ failure.
Symptoms
Hyperthermia or heat stroke can trigger various symptoms, such as headache, nausea, vomiting, disorientation or dizziness, dry and pasty mouth sensation. It may also dry and redden the skin and decrease response time, leading to possible loss of consciousness.
Prevention
One of the basic recommendations to prevent heat stroke is to drink plenty of fluids, either water, herbal teas or fruit juices, avoiding the consumption of alcoholic beverages. It is recommended to drink 2 to 2.5 liters of this type of liquid daily to stay properly hydrated.
In addition, in summer the elderly should follow a different diet than during seasons with lower temperatures such as autumn and winter. The diet for the hottest months of the year consists of a lower calorie intake and increased hydration.
To prevent hyperthermia, it is advisable to eat light meals, drink plenty of fluids gradually throughout the day and avoid exposure to the sun, especially during the hottest hours (12:00 to 16:00 hours).
The University Hospital of Bellvitge assures that when temperatures rise so high, mortality due to hyperthermia can exceed 70% of the cases that present symptoms. For that reason it remembers a series of advices, among them to remember that the lack of thirst is deceptive, and it is not necessary to wait to be thirsty to consume liquids.
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Pregnancy and heat: how to survive high temperatures during the summer.