2023-07-17 10:29:04
Periods of high heat put the body under great stress, but the danger signals are not the same for everyone.
Heat is an almost invisible but deadly hazard. In France, since 2014, 35,000 people have lost their lives due to summer heat, as highlighted by a study by Public Health France. Dangerous episodes that tend to intensify and lengthen. More or less obvious signs should alert, but they are not the same for everyone.
• On oneself
Is it easier to detect the signs of heat stroke when you are the victim? Not necessarily. Some clues are not immediately visible, in particular dehydration, as noted by the SPF agency.
“If you have flushes of sweat when drinking a glass of water, if you have not urinated for more than 5 hours or if your urine is dark: drink immediately even if you are not thirsty.”
Another equally unsuspected indicator, feeling “well-being” by passing your arm under water. This is a sign to increase “the wetting and ventilation of [sa] skin”, according to SPF. Other signs, more visible and symptomatic of an advanced stage: cramps, headaches, nausea or unusual fatigue. Incoherent talk or loss of bearings can also be warning signs .
• In (young) children
“From one end of life to the other, we are very vulnerable to heat”, underlines Brigitte Virey, the president of the National Union of Pediatricians. Children are therefore part of the public at risk, to a degree that varies according to age. Infants and babies are particularly exposed, and their suffering more difficult to express.
“Among the signs to watch out for, there is the fact that the infant will sleep a lot, and have trouble waking up. You have to watch out for unusual fatigue, drowsiness and irritability”, points out the expert. .
Other visual clues can identify overheating. The fact that the child is breathing fast, has a pale appearance and sunken and/or dark circles in the eyes. As for the danger of dehydration, parents can observe the baby’s mouth. If his tongue is dry and there is little saliva, he is probably dehydrated. A dry diaper and too much spaced urine are also indicators. Last sign of dehydration, if the fontanel, the soft space at the top of the head, sinks.
To protect yourself once morest this, you must regularly hydrate your infant, keep him indoors and do not hesitate to soak him in water or use an atomizer. But not in too cold water, “otherwise, it’s thermal shock”.
“For older children, the symptoms are regarding the same. Except that they will be able to express them, say that they are thirsty or that they feel bad”, concludes pediatrician Brigitte Virey.
• In the elderly
Heat waves are painful reminders that the heat poses great risks for the elderly. A third of the 35,000 heat-related deaths involved people over the age of 75. However, systems have been put in place to protect them, particularly in establishments for dependent people (EHPAD).
Geriatrics doctor Juliette Sabourault, of the Ambroise-Paré Hospital, stresses that it is important for relatives to “call regularly” and if possible to visit the elderly. Certain visual signs such as excessive sweating may suggest overheating.
As at any age, hydration is key. However, from a certain age, “the feeling of thirst can diminish”. Do not hesitate to offer water regularly, and to make sure that the person has drunk a few sips. Reminders are all the more important in people who have developed memory problems.
Drinking water is not enough, it is also necessary to ensure that the food is sufficient, water being there naturally. At the same time, the salt intake must be sufficient to ensure good hydration.
Nearly invisible signs may also present themselves. “Confusion” can be one of them. It is characterized by incoherent actions or words. A voltage drop may also occur. And, in the most severe cases, confusion can lead to falls. “If a person falls, you must quickly call the doctor,” orders the geriatrician.
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