How to protect yourself from sunstroke - doctor's advice for hot days

Summer heat can be not only uncomfortable but also dangerous to health, and the risk especially increases during prolonged exposure to the sun, in stuffy rooms or on public transport. For more details on how sunstroke differs from heatstroke, who is at risk, and how to act properly in case of overheating, UNN was told specifically by Otto Stoyka, Candidate of Medical Sciences, doctor at the Kyiv City Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, and public health expert.

Details

Sunstroke and heatstroke are often perceived as different conditions, although in reality there is no fundamental difference between them, the doctor says. In both cases, it is about overheating of the body, but the causes may differ, and the method of protection depends on them.

There is fundamentally no difference. It is just considered that sunstroke is a local effect of direct sunlight, most often on the head. And heatstroke is a general overheating of the body due to heat, stuffiness, or being in a place with poor ventilation. This can happen even in crowded transport or an enclosed space

The doctor emphasized that to avoid dangerous consequences, first of all, the source of overheating must be eliminated. If the problem arose due to the sun, you should find shade as quickly as possible, and if the cause was stuffiness, you should move to a cooler place.

First of all, you need to look for shade. Best under trees, because they create their own cooler microclimate. If that is not possible, a canopy or the shade of a building will do. It is also important to ensure access to fresh air and avoid places where it is hot and there is no ventilation

In hot weather, it is important to have water with you, and not only for drinking, because it can become the first means of help during overheating, and simply cooling certain areas of the body helps to improve well-being faster.

You can wet the neck, back of the head, elbow bends, armpits, areas under the knees. Plain water or a wet wipe will do for this. Even if you just wet your headdress or wipe your face and neck, the person will feel better. The main thing is not to use alcohol solutions for this

Otto Stoyka also emphasized that many people try to escape the heat using air conditioners. However, according to him, a sharp temperature change can, on the contrary, harm the body, and those who are very sweaty or have already felt symptoms of overheating need to be especially careful.

If a person is very overheated, they should not sit directly under the stream of cold air from an air conditioner. This way you can become hypothermic and even get sick. Strong drafts are equally dangerous, so it is better to be in a cool place, but without a direct stream of cold air

Also, the doctor notes that a headdress, water, and sunglasses significantly reduce the risk of overheating, but do not guarantee complete protection, because much depends on the person's state of health, age, and level of physical fitness.

The older a person is and the more chronic diseases they have, especially cardiovascular ones, the harder it is for them to tolerate the heat. Physically trained people adapt better, because heat is a strain on the heart and respiratory system, so the body has to work more intensely

Separately, the doctor commented on the popular opinion about the benefits of hot drinks in the heat. According to him, there is some logic to this, but this method is not suitable for everyone and not in all situations.

Hot drinks can indeed cause sweating, and the evaporation of sweat helps cool the body. But if a person is actively moving or is in the sun, it is better to drink drinks at room temperature. They are safer and do not create additional strain on the body

However, if you see that a person has become ill due to the sun, you need to assess their condition and not leave them unattended, and special attention should be paid to consciousness and breathing. If necessary, you should call medical professionals.

If a person has lost consciousness, you need to check if they are breathing, move them into the shade, and call an ambulance. If the person is conscious, you can give them plain water, help them cool down, and monitor their condition. If severe drowsiness appears, their well-being worsens, or the person stops responding to being addressed, then it is also necessary to seek medical help

The heat requires careful attention to one's own health. Sufficient water, staying in the shade, and timely rest will help avoid dangerous overheating, but if alarming symptoms appear, you should not delay seeing a doctor.

How to properly protect children in the heat: advice from a doctor17.06.26, 13:49 • 41071 view

ATTENTION! This material is for informational purposes only. If you have health concerns, consult a doctor.