Heatwave. How to survive and behave in such weather?

During a heatwave, our body may find it difficult to compensate for the high ambient temperature and cool itself down. The consequences are overheating and heat stroke. The danger increases in conditions of high humidity, when sweat evaporates more slowly, and also depending on one's health status.

Age, obesity, fever or dehydration, heart and mental illnesses, poor circulation, sunburn, medication use, and alcohol consumption — all these affect how we tolerate hot weather.

But even young people without chronic diseases can feel unwell in the heat. This can be avoided as follows:

spend less time outdoors, especially in the middle of the day when the temperature is highest. If you work or train outdoors, take frequent breaks in the shade or indoors with air conditioning, during which you should drink water.

Use sunscreen and remember to reapply it to your skin after a certain period.

Review the intensity of your sports training — start with a low load and gradually increase it. The same principle should be applied during normal work.

Wear light and loose-fitting clothing in light colors. If you work outdoors, wear a head covering. Check on your friend or neighbor, and ask them to do the same for you.

Do not cook food using a stove or oven, as this will make the indoor temperature even higher. Take a cold shower or bath to cool your body. Drink more water than usual; do not wait until you feel thirsty.

Avoid direct sunlight and seek shade whenever possible. Do not leave children or animals alone in a car. Eat less.

Prefer fruits rich in fiber and juices, and avoid high-protein foods — the body will find it hard to digest them in the heat.

At risk are elderly people, especially those over 75, children under two, and people with chronic illnesses, including heart, kidney or lung diseases, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and some mental illnesses.

No less at risk are those who spend a lot of time outdoors or in hot rooms, for example, those living on the upper floors of high-rise buildings, homeless people, or those who work outdoors.

Heat Exhaustion

This is the name given to a clinical syndrome that can occur after exposure to high temperatures and is often accompanied by dehydration.

Two types of heat exhaustion are distinguished. The first, associated with a lack of water, is indicated by excessive thirst, headache, weakness, and loss of consciousness.

There is also a second type of heat exhaustion, caused by a lack of salts in the body, which are necessary to maintain proper water levels. In this case, symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, and dizziness are noted. And it's also important: during a heatwave, one should pay close attention to symptoms such as pale skin, excessive sweating, fatigue, and confusion.

Heat exhaustion is not life-threatening, but if its symptoms are not taken seriously, it can escalate into a much more dangerous phenomenon — heat stroke.

Therefore, if you or someone near you exhibits the above-mentioned symptoms, your first step is to immediately go to a cool place and rest, preferably in an air-conditioned room. It is also advised to drink plenty of fluids and avoid coffee and alcohol, as such beverages, on the contrary, contribute to fluid loss from the body.

You should remove excess clothing and take a cold shower or bath, or at least wipe your body with a wet cold sponge. Other methods can also be used to cool yourself, for example, placing a wet cold towel on your forehead.

If all these measures do not help within 15 minutes, you should immediately seek professional medical help.

Heat Stroke

This is the most serious medical consequence of a heatwave. Heat stroke can occur when the body can no longer control its temperature due to the heat. This happens as follows: body temperature rises, the sweating mechanism is disrupted, and the body loses its ability to cool itself.

During heat stroke, a person's body temperature can rise to 40-41 degrees in just 10-15 minutes. This, in turn, can quickly cause serious damage to the brain, heart, kidneys, and muscles. If no action is taken, heat stroke can lead to disability or even death.

The symptoms of heat stroke are as follows:

• high body temperature (40 degrees or even higher). This is the main sign of heat stroke.
• Changes in mental state or behavior. Confusion, unhealthy agitation, incomprehensible speech, irritability, delirium, seizures, and coma — all these can be results of heat stroke.
• Abnormal sweating. If heat stroke is caused by hot weather, your skin will be hot and dry.
• Also, in the case of heat stroke caused by serious physical exertion, the skin will be dry or only slightly moist.
• Nausea and vomiting. Reddened skin. Rapid breathing and pulse. Headache.

In case of heat stroke, doctors advise seeking medical help immediately. While you await it, place the person suffering from heat stroke in the shade or indoors and remove any excess clothing.

Then try to cool the person's body by any possible means.

Place them in a cold bath or shower, wet a sponge with cold water and wipe their body, place ice packs or wet cold towels on the person's head, neck, armpits, and groin.

Weather in Minsk according to yr.no

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