Avoid heat and stay safe!

@zainabalnasseri

Often workers or those who engage in any kind of activities during daylight hours and for a long time are exposed to high temperatures, which leads to a feeling of stress and health symptoms that may pose a threat to their lives if no immediate medical care is provided.

Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority (CDAA) said that cases associated with high temperatures are considered medical emergencies that happen due to an increase in body temperature due to direct exposure to sunlight or hot weather for a long time, especially in the summer.

“Among the most important reasons for being affected by hot weather are: Not drinking enough water, exposure to direct sunlight for a long time, wearing tight clothes, and exercising any physical effort in a hot and humid atmosphere,” CDAA said.

The patient shows several symptoms, including excessive sweating, headache, diarrhoea, weakness in the body, dizziness, pain and cramps in fingers, arms and legs, as well as abdominal pain, in addition to the loss of consciousness.

To prevent heat-related health problems, the Authority called upon all to drinking sufficient quantities of water constantly, avoiding exposure to direct sunlight for long periods, not make efforts or exercising in hot and humid weather, and not to wear tight clothes when exposed to heat.

For helping people in emergencies related to high temperatures, the Authority advised to move the person away from direct sunlight or a cool place if possible, make the person lie on his back, give him fluids to compensate for acidity or juices if he is conscious, and use a sponge or towel moistened with cold water and place it on the head and limbs of the victim.

In the absence of signs of life, cardiopulmonary resuscitation procedures must be started, and then the person must be transferred to the nearest health institution.

The difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke is that the first is a condition that precedes heatstroke and can develop. Generally, heat stress is not considered dangerous if the person is cooled within 30 minutes. Still, if it develops into heatstroke, an ambulance should be called.