Although autumn has already begun, the temperature in Guangdong is still high. What are the health risks brought by the relentless heatwave? And what should we do to protect ourselves? Guangdong CDC provides the following tips:
(Photo: Nanfang Daily)
Who is at risk?
Vulnerable groups: children, pregnant women, and the elderly.
People with chronic underlying medical conditions: patients with circulatory diseases, respiratory diseases, mental and behavioral disorders, renal diseases, or diabetes.
Outdoor workers: farmers, construction workers, sanitation workers, and couriers.
What health risks will a heatwave bring?
High temperatures can be the cause of respiratory, circulatory, urinary, and neurological diseases, among which respiratory and cardiovascular systems are more obviously affected.
Hot weather overloads the body's thermoregulatory system and increases the load on damaged organs and tissues, leading to diseases such as heat stroke, which can be fatal.
What are the symptoms of excessive heat exposure?
The beginning of excessive heat exposure:
Normal or slightly elevated body temperature, dizziness, headache, thirst, heavy sweating, fatigue, lack of concentration, and uncoordinated movements.
Mild heat stroke:
A temperature of 38℃ or above, profuse sweating, flushed face, burning skin, increased pulse rate, clammy limbs, and drop in blood pressure.
Severe heat stroke:
Including heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and thermoplegia, which occurs when body temperature rises over 40°C.
There are muscle cramps, abdominal pain, hyperthermic fainting, delirium, or unconsciousness.
What’s the first aid for heat stroke?
The first thing to do when heat stroke occurs: move to a cool environment to reduce exposure to heat. Once you find yourself or someone else suffering from heat stroke, call 120 immediately before carrying out on-site first aid within your ability.
Get them out of the hot environment to rest in a ventilated and cool place, and remove any unnecessary clothing as soon as possible.
Take their temperature timely and monitor it continuously. Rectal temperature is usually used to reflect core temperature. If the core temperature cannot be measured at the scene, take the body surface temperature (axillary or ear temperature) as a reference.
Cool down their bodies by wiping them with cold water or diluted alcohol, and keep fanning them continuously. You can also apply towels wrung from cold water, ice packs, or ice cubes on their head, neck, armpits, or inguinal region (lower stomach to groin) to help dissipate the heat.
Help them stay hydrated. If they are awake and do not have nausea or vomiting, you can feed them salt water or sports drinks.
How to prevent the health impacts of a heatwave?
*The elderly, pregnant women, and people with chronic diseases, especially those with cardiovascular diseases, should avoid going out in hot weather. If you have to, it’s advised to go out in the early morning or late afternoon, and reduce the time you stay outside.
*Take umbrellas, wear hats, sunglasses, and use sunscreens, and reduce the amount of time spent outdoors in direct sunlight.
*When you go out in summer, carry a sports drink or some salt water with you and stay hydrated.
*Keep a healthy diet and good hygiene. It’s recommended to have some digestible, high in vitamins, high-in-protein, and low-in-fat food instead of greasy food in summer.
*Receive regular health check-ups. People with chronic diseases as well as those recovering from serious illnesses, and those who are physically weak should increase their awareness of self-protection and should not work in high temperatures.
*Ask for help immediately when necessary.
Author | Nico (intern), Hannah
Editor | Olivia, Nan, Jasmine, Jerry
