Summer is in full swing: how to protect yourself from sunstroke and help others

Doctor's advice: how to recognize and treat sunstroke

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23 June, 17:05

Summer is finally delighting with warm and sunny days, calling for walks and travel. However, along with the long-awaited warmth comes a hidden danger – the risk of heatstroke or sunstroke.

In a comment to "Your City", family doctor Tetiana Berezniuk explained how to recognize and treat sunstroke.

"Every summer, as soon as the sunny days begin, patients come to me with sunstroke. True, with each passing year, there are fewer such cases, because people are becoming more aware of this and understand the risks. It is important to wear a cap or hat when going outside on sunny days and always have water with you," notes the doctor.

The doctor explains how to determine if you have sunstroke:

"A person suddenly becomes lethargic, their temperature rises, they experience severe exhaustion and weakness, and may have a high fever. Sometimes, with sunstroke, one can feel nauseous and even lose consciousness.

What to do in such cases

"First of all – move the person out of direct sunlight into the shade, let them rest sufficiently, and ensure they drink. If they have a fever – of course, it must be reduced. If the condition is severe, even leading to loss of consciousness, then you need to call an ambulance immediately," emphasizes the doctor.

Ministry of Health of Ukraine urges to pay attention to your well-being, especially if you have been working outdoors or exercising in the heat. Main symptoms:

Confusion and disorientation;

Nausea and vomiting;

Severe headache;

Rapid heartbeat and difficulty breathing;

Reddening of the skin, which becomes dry and hot to the touch;

Increased body temperature and severe fatigue;

Brief loss of consciousness.

How to avoid overheating: simple rules from the Ministry of Health

To ensure that summer days bring only joy, follow these basic recommendations:

Avoid excessive heat. From 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, try to stay in the shade or indoors, avoid direct rays.

Cool down rooms without air conditioning. To save electricity, close windows during the day (you can apply reflective film), and only open them at night.

Cool your body. Take a cool shower or wipe yourself down with water as often as possible.

Drink plenty of fluids. Regularly consume water or unsweetened, caffeine-free beverages, even if you don't feel thirsty.

Choose the right clothing. Wear light, loose-fitting clothing made of natural fabrics.

Limit physical exertion. Postpone training or heavy labor until morning or evening.

Take care of your loved ones. Look after children and elderly relatives. If you have elderly neighbors who are alone, call them and ask how they are feeling.

The Ministry of Health especially emphasizes: Never leave children and animals in closed cars, even with the air conditioning on. It is deadly dangerous for their lives.

What to do if heatstroke has already occurred

If you suspect heatstroke in yourself or your loved ones, call 103 immediately. The dispatcher will help you contact a doctor and, if necessary, will dispatch an emergency medical team.

Before the medics arrive, follow these steps:

Move or carry the victim to a shaded, cool place.

Begin cooling: use cool, damp towels or ice packs (apply to the neck, armpits, groin) to reduce body temperature.

If the victim is conscious, give them water in small sips.

In case of vomiting, be sure to place the person on their side.

Constantly monitor the victim's condition: breathing, pulse, and consciousness until medical help arrives.

Take care of yourself, pay attention to the weather forecast, and be mindful of those around you!

We remind you that sunstroke is a dangerous emergency condition, a type of heatstroke, which occurs due to prolonged exposure of direct sunlight to the head and general overheating of the body. The condition leads to a disruption of the thermoregulation system and requires immediate medical attention.