Given the record temperatures being observed throughout Spain, it is imperative that we prioritise the well-being of older people and individuals with medical conditions that may worsen due to heat and dehydration, including heart disease. This is useful information on coping with extreme heat from the Spanish Government, to help you keep cool in extreme temperatures.
The following guidance is taken from the website of the Ministerio de Sanidad :
Given that the best defence is prevention, the following list of recommendations need to be followed in order to "Enjoy this summer in good health":
Drink water and fluids frequently , even if you don't feel thirsty and regardless of the physical activity you do.
Avoid drinking too much caffeinated beverages, alcohol or large amounts of sugar , as these can cause you to lose more body fluids.
Although anyone can experience heat-related problems, pay special attention to infants and young children, the elderly, and people with medical conditions that can be aggravated by heat and dehydration, such as heart disease.
Stay in cool, shaded or air-conditioned places as much as possible , and cool down whenever necessary.
Try to reduce physical activity and avoid outdoor sports during the hottest hours (from 12:00 to 17:00).
Wear light , loose, breathable clothing.
Never leave anyone in a parked, closed vehicle (especially children, the elderly, or the chronically ill).
Consult your doctor if you have symptoms that last more than an hour and may be related to high temperatures.
Keep your medicines in a cool place ; heat can alter their composition and effects.
Eat light meals that help replenish salts lost through sweating (salads, fruits, vegetables, juices, etc.)
Keeping your home cool
It is advisable to ventilate your home in the morning and then close the windows during the hours of high temperatures and open them in the late afternoon and at night, when it is a little cooler. If you have air conditioning, keeping the house cool is a good option, but it is not recommended to reduce the temperature below 23 degrees. Use blinds and curtains to keep out the sun during peak hours.
Heat stroke symptoms in older people
It is important to know the warning signs, because if we experience any of the symptoms of heatstroke we may need to seek medical attention. The following symptoms can warn us that we are suffering from heat stroke:
Muscle cramps
In the heat, it is common for our sweating process to increase and, therefore, the loss of water and electrolytes through the pores of the skin also increases . When the level of liquids in our body drops, we can suffer from muscle cramps in the extremities and abdomen.
Although these are painful muscle spasms, they do not pose a danger to our health. However, these symptoms are a warning that a more serious condition is occurring . That is, if we ignore the cramps and do not treat possible heat stroke or dehydration, we could end up altering the functioning of various organs.
Heat exhaustion
Another warning sign is tiredness or exhaustion , which is characterised by the following symptoms:
Thirst.
Weakness, tiredness and fatigue.
Tachycardia - your heart beating much faster.
State of mental confusion and anxiety.
Increase in body temperature.
Specifically, heat exhaustion usually occurs after prolonged physical exertion .
Sunstroke or heat stroke
The onset of heat stroke occurs when the above symptoms have not been addressed, which causes them to worsen and the consequences to be greater. Generally, these conditions are characterised by the following symptoms:
Headache.
Very high body temperature.
Dilation of the pupils.
Disorientation and mental confusion.
Vomiting.
Spasms, tremors and lack of coordination.
Loss of ability to sweat.
As a footnote - It is important to also consider the well-being of our canine companions. Ensure they have access to clean, fresh water, a cool and shady resting spot, and refrain from walking them during the hottest part of the day. Pavements can retain significant heat, causing discomfort and potential harm to their paws.
Want to keep up to date with news and articles to help you live your life in Spain? Sign up here for our free quarterly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.
Before you go! We absolutely depend upon the vital support of people like you to ensure that our services and guides are freely available for everyone who needs help. We depend on public support and your donation will help us continue to provide everyone with free, reliable and accessible information to help you plan for and live your life in Spain.
Can you help us?
Your regular donation of just €10 per month will enable us to provide a weekly friendship call to an isolated older person, every week of the year.
Your one off donation of €50 will enable us to make a home visit to a vulnerable person who is struggling to access vital services.
A regular donation of €100 per month will enable us to open our phone lines for longer, so we can continue to help make a difference every day of the week.
It’s easy to make a donation by credit or debit card - here is the link to our donations page.
And remember, if you are a tax payer in Spain, you can claim up to 80% tax relief on your donations of up to 150€ in any tax year and 35% tax relief on amounts over that. So a 20€ donation could cost you only 4€ - or a donation of 100€ would cost you just 20€. We can send you a receipt so you can reclaim your tax when you submit your tax return.
Disclaimer:
The content displayed on this blog is the intellectual property of Age in Spain. You may not reuse, republish, or reprint such content without our written consent. All information posted is merely for educational and informational purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Should you decide to act upon any information on this blog, you do so at your own risk. While the information on this blog has been verified to the best of our abilities, we cannot guarantee that there are no mistakes or errors. We reserve the right to change this policy at any given time, of which you will be promptly updated. If you want to make sure that you are up to date with the latest changes, we advise you to frequently visit our website disclaimer notice.
Age in Spain provides information about service providers for information only. This list is not exhaustive, and is subject to change at any time. None of the service providers are endorsed or recommended by Age in Spain. You should research whether a service provider will be suitable. Age in Spain does not accept any liability arising to any person for any loss or damage suffered through using these service providers or this information.
Comments