[PIO] Recommendations from the Ministry of Health for dealing with the heatwave

Due to the high temperatures recorded in our country, the Medical and Public Health Services of the Ministry of Health remind the public of the following:

General precautionary guidelines:

1. Avoid frequent exposure to the sun, unnecessary movement and heavy physical exercise or physical work. Shady and cool places should be preferred and crowded places should be avoided.
2. Dress lightly in loose light-coloured clothing and wear a hat and sunglasses if exposed to the sun.
3. Avoid alcoholic beverages, coffee and give preference to light, low-fat meals with emphasis on fruit and vegetables.
4. Take plenty of fluids (water and fruit juice).
5. Use of fans or air conditioning systems to create an air current especially during the hottest hours of the day. During the night it is advisable to keep windows open.
6. Take plenty of lukewarm showers during the day.
7. Particular attention should be paid to vulnerable groups such as infants, the elderly and pregnant women. If there is a newborn in the house, it is recommended that it be lightly dressed. Instructions should be sought from the paediatrician regarding fluid intake.
8. People suffering from chronic diseases, such as respiratory or cardiovascular diseases, should consult their doctor about any special measures to be taken.
9. Avoid using the oven and stove as much as possible to avoid further increasing the temperature of your home.
10. Never leave infants, elderly people, pets in a closed car.

Who is most at risk:

1. Infants, young children and the elderly (especially elderly people living alone).
2. People who work or exercise intensively outdoors and indoors with high temperature and humidity.
3. Those in areas with high levels of air pollution (industrial areas).
4. People suffering from chronic diseases (e.g. diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney failure, blood pressure disorders, cardiovascular diseases, liver diseases, lung diseases, obesity)
5. People taking certain medications (e.g. insulin, antidiabetics, diuretics, anticholinergics, psychotropics).
6. Women during pregnancy.
7. People with disabilities.

Symptoms of high temperatures:

Initial symptoms may be:

1. severe headache
2. fainting
3. fainting
4. tendency to faint
5. drop in blood pressure
6. nausea
7. vomiting
8. palpitations.

The syndrome ofheatstroke,is manifested by:

1. sudden increase in body temperature ( >40.5oC)
2. red, warm and dry skin (sweating has stopped)
3. dry swollen tongue
4. rapid pulse
5. tachypnea
6. intense thirst
7. headache
8. nausea
9. vomiting
10. dizziness
11. confusion
12. inability to orient and speak clearly
13. aggressive or strange behaviour
14. convulsions
15. loss of consciousness or coma.

When the above symptoms are noticed, consult your personal physician or call for immediate medical attention.

(EC/EXP)

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