Proactively prevent stroke in hot weather

Prolonged hot weather not only makes the body tired and dehydrated but also poses many potential health risks, especially the risk of heat stroke. If not treated properly and promptly, heat stroke can leave serious sequelae, even death.

Mr. Phung Thanh Hoang (Lien Chieu district) shared: "The extremely hot weather makes me worried, I don't know what the signs of a stroke are and if I encounter someone with heat stroke, how to handle it properly."

Similarly, Ms. Nguyen Thi Pham (Ngu Hanh Son district) said: “Prevention is better than cure. People really need specific instructions on how to prevent stroke during the hot season, especially the elderly and people with underlying diseases.”

Speaking to reporters, Dr. Hoang Huu Hieu, Deputy Head of the Intensive Care and Anti-Poison Department at Da Nang Hospital, said that recently, the department has received many emergency cases of heat stroke. Most of the patients are outdoor workers, elderly people with underlying diseases, and young people who do intense exercise in the sun.

“The common point of these cases is that they all fall into a critical condition if not intervened promptly. Prolonged heat causes dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and makes the heart work too hard to regulate body temperature. People with underlying diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, etc. are especially susceptible to serious effects,” said Dr. Hieu.

Warning signs of heat stroke include: severe headache, dizziness, nausea, hot red skin without sweating, rapid breathing, rapid heartbeat, confusion, slurred speech, seizures, weakness in the arms and legs, collapse and even coma.

According to Dr. Hieu, when detecting a person with suspected signs of heat stroke, it is necessary to quickly handle the following steps: take the victim to a cool, airy place, such as an air-conditioned room or under a tree; loosen clothing, cool the body with wet towels, fan, spray water all over the body; can apply ice to areas such as the armpits, groin, neck where there are many large blood vessels. Absolutely do not immerse the whole body in cold water; call 115 immediately.

The “golden” time in the first 30-60 minutes is crucial to the ability to save lives and limit damage to vital organs such as the brain, heart, and kidneys. Monitor breathing and circulation. If the patient stops breathing or has cardiac arrest, cardiopulmonary resuscitation should be performed if skilled. In particular, do not force the patient to drink water when they are drowsy or unconscious, to avoid the risk of choking and airway obstruction.

The elderly (especially those aged 65 and over), children, and people with chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and neurological disorders are at high risk of stroke during hot weather. In addition, outdoor workers and people who exercise vigorously in the sun are susceptible to the effects of hot weather.

According to Dr. Hieu, many people, when seeing their loved ones tired from the sun, arbitrarily scrape the wind, apply leaves, rub oil or wait for the rest to pass, unintentionally losing the "golden time" for effective first aid.

In some other cases, cooling incorrectly, such as pouring cold water or taking a cold shower, can cause sudden vasoconstriction and low blood pressure, making the condition worse. Particularly dangerous is driving a motorbike to take an unconscious person to the hospital, which can cause a stroke if the patient suddenly stops breathing or has a seizure on the way.

To prevent stroke during the hot season, doctors recommend avoiding outdoor work between 10am and 4pm, especially for the elderly and people with underlying diseases. If you must go outside, wear a wide-brimmed hat, light-colored long-sleeved shirt, sunglasses, and a mask.

Drink enough water every day, even when you don't feel thirsty. Prioritize drinking filtered water, electrolyte water, limit alcohol, beer, coffee. Improve the working environment to be airy, take reasonable breaks between shifts. Limit heavy physical activity in the sun or immediately after leaving an air-conditioned room. Increase proper nutrition, supplement with fruits, juices, oresol to improve resistance.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/chu-dong-phong-tranh-dot-quy-mua-nang-nong-3264711.html