HOT!

13.Ene.2012

The ministry of Health issued a series of recommendations for the heat wave that has been affecting the country for the last couple of days.

The Ministry of Public Health issued a warning regarding the heat wave that has been affecting the country for the past couple of days, stating that it could cause a series of health problems.

According to the National Health Director, Salomé Colman, the high temperatures can cause cramps, exhaustion, headaches, nausea and vomiting. If people get dehydrated it’s possible to have symptoms such as intense weakness, dry skin and sunken eyes.

In children the most alarming symptoms are crying without tears or low pressure.
The effects of the heat wave, in the most extreme case, are produced when the body is exposed to temperatures over 40°. In these cases it’s possible to have deliriums, instability to walk or stand up, sleepiness and even convulsions and coma.

Generally people with tendencies to be affected by the heat are children under 6 and adults over 65 years of age. In addition, people with chronic diseases and those who are doing intense physical exercise.

For these reasons the Ministry of Public Health recommends not leaving the house between 11am and 6pm and consuming, especially in the case of children, more water than usual “even if they’re not thirsty”

As far as food is concerned it’s preferable to avoid “rich and heavy” foods and ingesting as much fruit and vegetables as possible. Too much alcohol can also be negative when there are high temperatures and it’s essential to take various showers a day.