15 recommendations from experts against extreme heat

According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service, May 2024 was the 12th consecutive month since July 2023 in which record temperatures were measured.

According to the statement of the General Directorate of Meteorology, temperatures will rise 4-12 degrees above seasonal norms in the coming days.

It is worth reminding that 4,281 extra deaths occurred in Turkey in the summer months of 2004-2017 due to heat waves in Istanbul.

Do not go out between 10.00-15.00

Since heat stroke, which occurs due to rapidly increasing air temperature, may cause an increase in complaints in people with lung diseases such as asthma, bronchiectasis or COPD and heart patients, care should be taken not to go out between 10.00-15.00.

What is heat stroke?

Heat stroke is characterised by a rapid rise in body temperature to 40 degrees Celsius and above, hot and dry skin, reddening and then turning pale and purplish, breathing faster than normal, pulse beating faster than normal, nausea, vomiting, headache, muscle cramps, incoherent speech, inability to recognise the environment, confusion, aggressive speech or behaviour, hallucinations, drowsiness or drowsiness, convulsions and loss of consciousness.

Who are more affected by the heat?

-In this period, especially allergic reactions increase.

-Patients with cardiovascular diseases, Parkinson's disease, dementia are at risk.

-Particularly those over the age of 50 are in the risk group, but this risk increases even more over the age of 75.

-Heat stroke can cause an increase in complaints and exacerbations in people with lung diseases such as asthma, bronchiectasis or COPD.

-The homeless, the poor, those who do not have the opportunity to go to a cooler place are among the groups at risk.

-Agricultural, construction, cleaning, transport, postal, landscaping workers, traffic police, soldiers, athletes working outdoors should be careful against extreme heat.

Precautions against heat stroke:

Experts made the following recommendations especially for risk groups to avoid serious health problems:

-Air conditioning should be used in public transport.

Light, loose and light-coloured clothes made of natural materials should be worn.

-Heavy meals should be avoided.

-Every healthy person should take care to drink 1.5-2 litres of water a day.

-People who work in hot conditions and sweat should take frequent breaks.

-Avoid drinks containing sugar, alcohol and caffeine.

-It must remain in the shade.

Wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses should be used.

-Sun cream with a high protective factor should be applied.

-Care should be taken not to go out during hot hours, especially between 10.00-15.00.

-All windows and blinds must be opened at night and early in the morning.

-On extremely hot days, if possible, the room temperature in the house should be kept below 32 degrees during the day and 24 degrees at night.

-Artificial lighting and electrical appliances should be switched off as far as possible.

If there is a lung condition and exercise is to be done, exercise should be done in a cool, well-ventilated room, in a gym, or early or late if outdoors.