Azerbaijan Medical University professor on ways to cope with abnormal heat in Baku

Can you please tell, how one can protect himself/herself against the heat? This question is now something everyone wants to know.

Heat poses a health risk and people suffering from cardiovascular diseases should be especially cautious. Risk group people are those aged over 55, children under 3 years old and people with chronic diseases. Therefore, they must, above all, avoid direct sunlight. It is better to stay in the shade and reduce physical activity. Actually, this same rule applies to mental activity, which adversely affects the nervous system. They should also protect themselves against overheating.

What can you say about the summer diet?

Heavy food is poorly digested in the heat. So, it is advisable to eat light, low-fat meals, cold fruit and vegetables and reduce meat consumption.

And what clothes it is better to put on?

It is better to not to wear synthetic clothes and wear a hat when going outside. Clothes have to be made from natural fabrics of preferably light color. Shoes also should be easy.

What are the preferred drinks ? And how much fluid is required to ensure safe operation of the body?

Average daily fluid intake is about two and a half liters. Carbonated beverages should be excluded from diet as they contain a lot of sugar. In addition, they cause bloating, the diaphragm rises, and this hinders the work of the heart. I would recommend hot green tea.  

And what about beer? Those who love this drink say it quenches thirst in summer...

Beer, of course, quenches thirst. It is difficult to disagree. However, peculiarity of beer is that people often drink it not to quench thirst. We all know that beer has a distinctive taste which people like very much. Beer increases the fluid requirements like coffee. Therefore, beer, like any alcohol, is absolutely contraindicated during this period.  

Should people give up eating chocolate in summer?

It is known that chocolate promotes good mood. The fact is that it rises the level of serotonin and endorphins, which gives us joy, pleasure and other positive emotions. I do not think that it is necessary to limit the use of chocolate, even in summer.

How one can avoid summer flu and guard against intestinal infections in the summer heat?

ARD is not a winter malaise, as many tend to believe. It can well can appear in summer. This is a viral disease which is usually taken up by people with weak body. I advise to do sports, to improve nutrition, to spend more time in fresh air and to spend vacation in the bosom of nature to take on forces. Furthermore, I advise to give up alcohol. In summer bacteria and viruses get almost ideal conditions for reproduction due to high temperature and humidity. Bacteria and viruses cause disease entering the human organism. Flies that transmit very many agents penetrate infection into the body. To protect against intestinal infections, people should take some simple steps to prevent them: a careful personal hygiene, be sure to wash fruits and vegetables before eating them, store food properly and keep them in refrigerator.

What are the symptoms of solar or heat stroke?

First and foremost, I should explain that the difference between heat stroke from sunstroke is that heat stroke can occur from general overheating of the body even without sunlight. In case of sunstroke, overheating occurs due to direct sunlight. The symptoms of both conditions cannot be immediately apparent, but within a few hours after termination of high temperature or sunlight.


/Day.Az/