Summer – the time when you can finally take a break from work and everyday worries at sea or in the country. But along with the holiday season comes an intense heat that does not give rest, day or night. Especially those who live in the urban jungle suffer from high temperatures, where it becomes stuffy from hot asphalt, and the air temperature rises several degrees higher than in the countryside. Even 20 minutes of being under the scorching rays of the sun can result in severe burns. What else are dangerous high temperatures for the human body, the editors of the Internet publication estet-portal.com found out.
How does extreme heat affect a personHigh temperatures – this is a serious test for a person. When a street thermometer shows 30°C or more, changes occur in the body that adversely affect well-being and health:
• Sweat is produced more actively – sweating is necessary for a person to cool the body. But in extreme heat, it becomes plentiful. Sweat production increases 4-5 times. The same condition is observed when a person performs physical work, climbs stairs and plays sports. Excessive sweating leads to a violation of the water and salt balance. And as a result, dehydration occurs. Due to lack of fluid, cells, brain and other organs suffer.
• Skin temperature rises – as a result of overheating of the covers, a large heat loss occurs.
• Respiration and pulse become more frequent – in abnormal heat, a person feels a lack of oxygen.
• Cerebral circulation is disturbed – due to high temperatures, less blood is supplied to the brain than usual. And this is fraught with headaches, dizziness and even a stroke.
Heat and sunstroke – frequent "guests" hot summer
High temperatures – these are favorable conditions for getting sunstroke or heatstroke. Such painful conditions have a negative impact on the human body.
The victim experiences the following unpleasant symptoms:
• body temperature rises to 39-40 °C;
• heartbeat increases;
• headache;
• dizziness, nausea and vomiting appear;
• cold sweat breaks out;
• redness of the skin of the face;
• there is a breakdown.
Despite the common symptoms, sunstroke and heatstroke are different. Thus, a person receives the first state as a result of prolonged exposure to sunlight on an unprotected surface of the head. In this case, sweating is disturbed, blood vessels dilate, and blood stagnates in the brain. With regard to heat stroke, it can be obtained indoors with high air temperature and low humidity.
At the first signs of sunstroke or heatstroke, you need to act immediately. The first thing to do is to take the patient or take him away from the sun or other source of intense heat to a cooler place. It can be a shade or a room with a comfortable temperature, enough oxygen and a normal level of humidity. Then the victim should be freed from clothing, to cool the skin, and lay it in such a way that the legs are located above the head. If the person is conscious, give them room temperature water to drink and apply a cold compress to their head. It can be a bottle of cold water or ice cubes. Next, provide the victim with complete rest. In the event that he has lost consciousness, call an ambulance.
Anomalous heat most often "hits" for heart disease and hypertension. At high air temperatures, an additional load is placed on the heart and blood vessels. In hypertensive patients, jumps in blood pressure are found, and in those who suffer from coronary heart disease, – attacks of angina pectoris, which are accompanied by sharp pain in the chest. It is also not uncommon for extreme heat to lead to heart attacks or even a heart attack.
Rapid heartbeat, increased sweating, feeling short of breath and tightness in the chest – these are the symptoms that people with cardiovascular disease suffer from in the heat of summer.
How can you protect yourself from the serious consequences of the summer heat? Everything is very simple: it is necessary to avoid being in the sun at the peak of its activity – from 12:00 to 16:00, wear light, loose and light-colored clothing, preferably from natural materials: linen, cotton or silk, and do not forget about a hat. As for quenching your thirst, instead of coffee and carbonated drinks, give your preference to plain water, green tea, compotes and fruit drinks.
Throat and lung problems in extreme heat
Abnormally high air temperatures in summer also harm those who suffer from bronchitis, pneumonia, bronchial asthma or other chronic respiratory diseases. A person feels an acute lack of oxygen. He literally suffocates.
Also often in the summer, children and adults suffer from colds, sore throats and pneumonia. The reason for this is the use of large quantities of cold drinks and ice cream, as well as being under the air conditioner or in front of a draft. Angina is dangerous in that, if complicated, it can lead to disability, and pneumonia – to the weakening of the whole organism and even to death.
To avoid such consequences, observe the following preventive measures:
• Do not sit directly under the air conditioner.
• Do not drink ice water in greedy sips. It is better to quench your thirst with cool water and small sips.
• Avoid drafts.
Being aware of the dangers of extreme heat in summer will allow you to take better care of your health and prevent serious consequences.
Read also:
Air conditioning cooling: how not to get sick in summer
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