Three golden rules for hot days
How to protect yourself from heatwaves: recommendations for elderly people and those in need of assistance.
Heatwaves can affect health, compromising the physical and mental well-being of those affected. Elderly people, the sick (chronic patients), young children, and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to this risk. It is especially the elderly who need assistance: we must all be concerned about their health during extremely hot days. Elderly people living alone and those in need of assistance deserve our full attention.
1. Avoid physical exertion
- Take it easy, especially during the hottest part of the day, and stay in the shade.
- Consume salty foods and beverages after sweating.
- Cover your skin with clothing and apply sunscreen regularly when you are outside.
2. Keep the heat away, cool your body
- Close the windows during the day and keep the sun out, open them at night and early in the morning.
- Cool your body with cool showers, cold cloths on your forehead and neck, and cold foot and hand baths.
- Wear light, loose-fitting clothing made of natural materials.
3. Drink plenty, eat light, adjust medication
- Drink regularly (at least 1.5 liters per day) and avoid sweetened and alcoholic beverages.
- Eat fruits and vegetables with high water content, and avoid fatty and hard-to-digest foods. Consult a specialist about your diet.
- Discuss your medication dosage with a specialist.
Possible consequences of heat
- Weakness
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Muscle cramps
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
Take action immediately!
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Cool your body
- Move to a shady or cool area
- Lie down
- Call a doctor or 144!
The English version of this page was created with the aid of automatic translation tools and may contain errors and omissions.
The original version is the page in Italian.