Health Ministry issues heat protection reminder

The Ministry of Health recalls the importance of preventing and mitigating the negative effects that excessive heat can have on the health of citizens.

The Ministry highlights the effects that heat can have, especially on risk or more vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, pregnant women, minors and people with chronic diseases, as well as on those groups that carry out their work or make efforts outdoors.

With this objective, the ministry maintains the National Preventive Action Plan for the Effects of Excess Temperatures on Health active, which this year brought its entry into force forward to May 15 and will remain in force until September 30. To minimise the damage that people can suffer as a result of heat, the department insists on the following decalogue of general recommendations:

Drink water or liquids frequently, even if you don’t feel thirsty and regardless of the physical activity you do.

Avoid drinks with caffeine, alcohol or very sugary, as they can promote dehydration.

Although anyone can suffer a heat-related problem, pay special attention to: babies, minors, pregnant or lactating women, as well as the elderly or those with illnesses that can be aggravated by heat (such as heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, cancer, pathologies that hinder mobility, dementia and other mental illnesses, as well as drug or alcohol abuse).

Stay as long as possible in cool, shaded places, and refresh yourself whenever you need it.

Try to reduce physical activity and avoid practicing outdoor sports in the central hours of the day.

Wear light, loose clothing that allows you to perspire.

Never leave anyone in a parked, locked vehicle (especially minors, the elderly, or those with chronic illnesses), or animals.

Consult your healthcare professional for symptoms that last for more than an hour and that may be related to high temperatures.

Keep your medicines in a cool place; heat can alter composition and its effects.

Eat light meals that help replace the salts lost through sweat (salads, fruits, vegetables, juices, etc.).

With the aim of alerting the health authorities and the public sufficiently in advance of possible risk situations, the Ministry of Health provides the autonomous communities with the (maximum) temperature predictions prepared by the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) on a daily basis, as well as the levels health risk due to high temperatures. This information is also available to the public via the official alert system which is free to your email or mobile.

The Plan takes into account the maximum temperatures forecast for three days, the maximum and minimum observed temperatures recorded the day before and the maximum threshold temperatures, established on the basis of epidemiological studies that have made it possible to relate excess temperature and mortality. In addition, the persistence over time of excess temperature is considered a risk factor for health.

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