Heatstroke occurs when body temperature exceeds 40°C. From that moment on, various physiological processes in the body are altered, with inflammation and a surge of enzymes that interfere with the normal functioning of vital organs.
The point is that, in the unanimous opinion of doctors, once this condition has begun it is difficult to reverse. It starts with headache, confusion and dizziness. Symptoms that can quickly degenerate into loss of consciousness, convulsions and even heart failure.
At that point, if someone with us or near us is affected, there is no time to lose: you must call the emergency services immediately.
The recommendations.
Without fear of seeming obvious or trite, the US National Weather Service lists the main recommendations to keep firmly in mind when outdoor heat peaks are excessive, urging us at the same time not to take them lightly under any circumstances.
Avoid strenuous physical activity: including, for example, jobs outside the house that seem urgent and that we sometimes get the whim to do in the height of summer under the scorching sun, when there is no need at all.
The categories of people who absolutely must live in cool environments during the hottest period of the year, being particularly vulnerable to heat, are: children, infants, the elderly (all of them, but especially those with pre-existing conditions, who take certain medicines, live alone or have limited mobility), people with chronic illnesses of any age, and pregnant women. Are we sure they really do? For example, do elderly people living alone, or does someone on their behalf, make sure they live in an environment with an acceptable temperature at all hours of the day?
Wearing light, light-coloured clothing is also a recommendation renewed by the US agency and not to be underestimated. As is following a summer diet of light, fresh and easily digestible foods. Drinking plenty of water is obvious; less so is the fact that it should not be too cold, something we often forget and which can have consequences. No alcohol, and keep the daily dose of caffeine to a minimum too.
Air-conditioned environments or ones with electric fans: the fan’s airflow must never be pointed at yourself when the room temperature is above 90°F, or 32°C. This is because dry air causes greater dehydration. If your employer is not convinced and blasts the air from the blades at you, make them read this article.
For outdoor workers there is even less room for taking the situation lightly. They must hydrate constantly, cool off in shaded areas during breaks and increase their workload only gradually. The US agency recommends that every company have a protocol to prevent heat-related illness and death. In Italy, it was reported in recent days that the government has renewed, for 2024 as well, a heat-related furlough scheme worth 13 million euros for the most exposed workers, agriculture and construction first and foremost. Let’s hope companies make use of it.
Among the more specific recommendations doctors give us on coping with the heat, the one concerning the drugs and medicines we take is important.
Diuretics, for example, often prescribed to treat kidney disease or hypertension, can trigger dehydration and lead to a lack of potassium and sodium: this will make regulating body temperature more difficult.
Other drugs that can cause imbalances during heat episodes are allergy treatments and drugs for depressive disorders. Many of them cause increased sweating, preventing the body from cooling down.
The recommendation for everyone who takes them is to hydrate even more than necessary. If the discomfort linked to the rise in temperature persists, it is best to consult a doctor, who may adjust the dose during the heat alert.
One last recommendation. Beware of the heat inside cars.
Some studies have shown that the temperature inside a car can rise to dangerous levels during an extreme heatwave. According to data from the American National Weather Service, a dark car seat can quickly reach temperatures of between 180°F (82°C) and 200°F (93°C).
The heating of the seats causes the temperature of the adjacent air to rise: long-wave radiation is emitted, which then heats the air trapped inside the vehicle. So the car literally becomes an oven.
At that point, it is best not to mess about taking phone photos of the temperature shown on the dashboard (who hasn’t done it?...). It is wise to get out of the vehicle, and above all not to stay in it for long periods.
