Respiratory illnesses and strokes are on the rise.
While being treated for pneumonia at Thong Nhat Hospital (Ho Chi Minh City), Mr. NVNh. (72 years old) said that the weather constantly changes, with intense heat during the day but heavy rains in the evening, causing him to cough, feel very tired, and have difficulty breathing, leading to his hospitalization.
At the same time, Mr. NTH (75 years old) also had to be hospitalized after many days of prolonged hot weather. The sweltering weather caused him insomnia, fatigue, and high blood pressure, so his family quickly took him to the hospital for monitoring.
According to Dr. Pham Minh Tri, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Thong Nhat Hospital, the changing weather, with alternating periods of intense heat and sudden rain, is increasing respiratory illnesses, especially among the elderly. Most older adults have weakened immune systems and multiple underlying health conditions, making them susceptible to pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or asthma. Sudden weather changes can trigger acute asthma attacks or worsen COPD, leading to shortness of breath and hospitalization.
“Every day, the Respiratory Internal Medicine Department at Thong Nhat Hospital receives approximately 10-12 patients admitted due to respiratory illnesses, the majority of whom are elderly and middle-aged individuals. This group needs close monitoring during unusual weather patterns, as even a small change in temperature or humidity can trigger underlying conditions or lead to dangerous complications,” Dr. Pham Minh Tri informed.
People waiting for medical examination and treatment at Cho Ray Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: NGUYEN QUYEN
At People's Hospital 115, the Emergency Department receives approximately 320-350 emergency cases daily. Of these, about 80-90 cases involve illnesses related to weather conditions.
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Heavy rain in the North; beware of flash floods and landslides.From the night of June 28th to the morning of June 30th, the mountainous and midland areas of Northern Vietnam will experience heavy rain, posing a risk of flash floods and landslides. Hanoi will continue to experience thunderstorms in the late afternoon and evening, with temperatures tending to rise. According to Dr. Nguyen Kim Long, a specialist in the Emergency Department of People's Hospital 115, extreme weather conditions, with sudden changes between sunshine and rain or prolonged heatwaves, are increasing the incidence of various illnesses in the community. Common illnesses include colds, seasonal flu, upper respiratory viral infections, and dengue fever. For the elderly and those with underlying health conditions, erratic weather changes cause fluctuating blood pressure, increasing the burden on the cardiovascular system. Prolonged heatwaves can easily lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, poor appetite, weakened immunity, and even stroke.
Protect your health from extreme weather.
According to Dr. Truong Thien Niem, Head of the Outpatient Department at Gia An 115 Hospital (Ho Chi Minh City), in older adults, the body's ability to regulate temperature is often less sensitive than in younger people, and most of them have cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, myocardial ischemia, heart failure, diabetes, etc.
Sudden weather changes, such as intense heat during the day followed by thunderstorms in the evening, a drop in temperature, an increase in humidity, and changes in air pressure, can create a "sudden shift in the body's thermoregulation balance." When it's hot, blood vessels tend to dilate to dissipate heat, and the heart has to work harder to maintain blood circulation and regulate body temperature. If the temperature then drops rapidly due to thunderstorms or cold winds, blood vessels may constrict suddenly, causing blood pressure to fluctuate and potentially increase, putting more strain on the heart.
In addition, changes in air pressure and humidity can also affect heart rate, breathing, and cause discomfort in people who already have underlying cardiovascular conditions, hypertension, or chronic respiratory failure.
In older adults, the ability to adapt to the environment is often slower, making them more susceptible to fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, or chest pain when the weather changes erratically. Those with underlying cardiovascular conditions may even experience an increased risk of acute hypertensive crises, arrhythmias, or other cardiovascular events if not properly monitored and managed.
Many health experts note that cardiovascular events in older adults sometimes do not present with very typical symptoms. Some people may only complain of increased fatigue, shortness of breath when walking, or insomnia before more serious conditions appear. Therefore, during periods of erratic weather, people with underlying cardiovascular disease or hypertension need to monitor their bodies more closely and should not be complacent about prolonged unusual symptoms.
Elderly people should limit direct exposure to strong sunlight, cover themselves well when going outside, drink enough water, replenish electrolytes when necessary, and maintain a balanced diet. If symptoms such as persistent cough, sore throat, or fever appear, they should gargle with saline solution or a suitable solution and go to a medical facility for examination and treatment to determine the cause.
Vietnam encourages US businesses to expand investment in high technology.On the morning of June 26th, at the Government Headquarters, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung received Mr. Jeff Place, Supply Chain Director of Coherent Group (USA). During the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam encourages US businesses to expand investment, especially in high-tech, innovation, and semiconductor industries. According to the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control, erratic weather changes, from hot to cold, from sunny to rainy during transitional seasons, can affect health, especially in children whose immune systems are not yet fully developed. Common illnesses in children during these weather changes include upper respiratory infections and acute diarrhea.
To protect children, parents need to pay attention to their diet to boost their immunity; change their daily routines and choose appropriate clothing for them throughout the day to ensure they stay warm, especially at night. In addition, proper care is essential when children are sick, and parents should proactively take them to a medical facility if their condition does not improve; vaccinations should be administered on schedule and with all recommended doses as advised by the Ministry of Health.
THANH AN - KIM HUYEN
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/do-benh-vi-mua-nang-that-thuong-post859668.html
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