The record heat that will hit Sardinia from today , with temperatures that could reach 44 degrees tomorrow in the innermost areas of the island , represents a serious danger for human health , especially for more fragile subjects such as the elderly, children and citizens with pre-existing pathologies.
The experts of the Italian Society of Environmental Medicine (Sima) are thus raising the alarm for the repercussions of the sudden rise in temperatures on the human body .
«Excessive heat causes health problems as it can alter the body temperature regulation system - explains Sima president, Alessandro Miani - The human body cools down through sweating, but in certain environmental conditions this is not sufficient: excessive humidity it prevents sweat from evaporating, with body heat rising rapidly and can damage vital organs and the brain. Excessively high temperatures can cause mild ailments such as cramps, fainting, edema , but also serious problems, from congestion to dehydration , worsening the health conditions of people with pre-existing chronic pathologies", warns the expert.
Specifically, among the heat-related disorders, the most frequent are sunstroke (causing erythema or burns also accompanied by symptoms similar to heatstroke); cramps (physical pain caused by a loss of sodium due to sweating and a consequent modification of the water-salt balance); edema (caused by fluid retention in the lower limbs as a consequence of prolonged peripheral vasodilation); congestion (caused by drinking iced drinks in an overheated body, the symptoms consist of sweating and chest pain); dehydration (main symptoms are thirst, weakness, dizziness, palpitations, anxiety, dry skin and mucous membranes, muscle cramps, low blood pressure); heat stroke (occurs when the physiological capacity for thermoregulation is compromised and manifests itself with a wide range of signs and symptoms depending on the severity of the condition. The first symptom is represented by a sudden general malaise, followed by headache, nausea , vomiting and a feeling of dizziness, up to states of anxiety and confusion).
ADVICE – From Sima comes a guide with practical advice for protecting yourself from the heat : avoid exposing yourself to heat and direct sun and only leave the house during the coolest hours; ensure adequate air exchange in the home and facilitate natural ventilation; keep rooms cool by screening windows exposed to the sun (using shutters, shutters, curtains, etc.); close the windows during the day and open them during the cooler hours of the day (in the evening and at night); take frequent baths and showers with warm water; drink at least 1.5/3 liters of water during the day , avoid alcohol and prefer foods that contain a lot of water, such as fruit and vegetables; when you leave the house, protect your eyes with sunglasses and prevent sunburn with high protection factor sunscreens; wear clothes made of natural fibers (linen or cotton) and breathable clothing, preferably light in colour; avoid outdoor sporting activity during the hottest hours
(Unioneonline/vl)