Sunstroke: tips to prevent them

The summer season arrives and comes the desire to take walks and spend pleasant hours in the mountains or at the sea to recover from work stress.

The sun, despite being an ally of health, represents a potential source of danger, especially during the hottest hours and in circumstances in which together with a high humidity, such as in urban centers, it can cause some problems and disorders.

This is especially true for the most delicate subjects, such as the elderly and children, whose bodies cannot respond quickly to changes in temperature.

Here are some tips to avoid damage or discomfort associated with excessive exposure to the sun and heat. And to catch the signs of these disorders in advance so as to try to limit their negative effects on health.

Avoid the hottest hours

In general, the early afternoon hours should be avoided. The elderly and those suffering from cardiovascular, respiratory and kidney diseases should respect this advice to the letter.

Indoors, then, it is good to stay in well-ventilated rooms and wear light linen and cotton clothing.

During the hottest hours it is also advisable to refrain from doing particularly heavy activities so as not to overload the work of the heart and circulatory system.

Signals not to be underestimated

To avoid the most negative effects of sunstroke and heat stroke, it is essential to catch the first warning signs.

What are they? Restlessness and a feeling of malaise, headache, rapid heartbeat, warm skin to the touch and fever. In severe cases you may have dizziness, nausea and vomiting, and even fainting.

Lots of water, fruit and vegetables

To prevent dehydration, an ally of heat stroke, it is advisable to drink frequently during the day, at least two liters of water in total.

And you have to consume foods rich in water, such as seasonal fruit and fresh vegetables, preparing for example rich salads to be consumed in company.

If it happens, what do I do?

Since many of the effects of sunstroke or heat stroke are due to the uncontrolled increase in body temperature, it is necessary to lower the latter by lying with the legs raised in a cool and ventilated environment.

You should then sponge with cold water all over your body and drink water, perhaps slightly salty or acidic, in small sips.

In case of particularly pronounced symptoms or in the presence of vomiting and fainting, it is advisable to take the affected person immediately to a doctor or to the emergency room where more effective measures can be taken.