As high temperatures have been prevalent in the megacity in recent days, AKOM has warned Istanbulites not to spend too much time under the sun, especially between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., to drink plenty of fluids, and to choose light, cotton clothing appropriate for the weather conditions.
While it is stated that the increase in humidity along with the temperature can cause serious health problems, Bakırköy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases Clinic Education Manager Prof. Dr. Meral Mert He also issued warnings to citizens, especially those with chronic illnesses.
Prof. Dr. Mert stated that attention should be paid to fluid consumption, medication use, blood pressure and sugar control, and emphasized that many points such as clothing selection are important in hot weather.
“WE SHOULD MONITOR OUR SUGAR AND BLOOD PRESSURE”
Speaking about the effects of hot weather on human health, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases Specialist Prof. Dr. Meral Mert said, “Weather conditions affect our health, metabolism, and daily life. We need to avoid activities such as walking outdoors under the sun, working, and exercising during the noon hours when the sun is at its highest, and we need to move these types of activities to the morning and evening hours. We also need to increase our fluid consumption according to our sweating levels. We will prefer to wear appropriate clothing.
If we have to be in the sun, we will also take protective clothing such as hats. Standing under air conditioning for hours, standing in very cold weather for a long time can cause headaches, muscle pain and various health problems. We have diabetics, heart, lung and kidney patients, elderly, pregnant women, babies, they all have different points to pay attention to in terms of health. We will keep our medicines at the right temperatures, so that their effectiveness does not lose, they will not stay in extreme heat. We will not put them under the sun if we go on vacation.
When it gets wet, it changes color anyway, we will not allow this. Usually 4-8 degrees is suitable for storage. A separate warning is needed for our patients using insulin. Insulin can lose its effectiveness in extreme temperatures, you have applied insulin, you have gone out in hot weather, for example you are walking, it acts much faster, our tendency for hypoglycemia increases, we need to be careful. We need to follow our sugar, blood pressure is extremely important for our patients, our blood pressure tends to drop due to fluid loss. We will follow our blood pressure, it is important for everyone,” he said.
“YOU COULD BE HOSPITALIZED WITH SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES”
Prof. Dr. Mert, who stated that not consuming fluids despite the heat would have serious consequences, said, “We sweated excessively, lost fluid and could not replace it, this fluid loss can lead to drops in blood pressure, hypotension, and also deterioration of our kidney functions. It can cause dizziness, fainting, and syncope attacks. Lung and heart patients may have increased complaints of shortness of breath, and their pulses may tend to increase. These occur because they are to balance the hot weather in the body. There are patients who say, ‘Sir, my blood pressure drops in the summer and increases in the winter’ may be correct. ‘My blood sugar goes up and down’ may require adjustment.
We sweat excessively, we may have a headache, we may faint, we may have sunstroke, nausea, vomiting. Of course, we need to control our diet a little in hot weather, we should drink fluids. We should be careful not to consume heavy foods that may bother us during these hot hours or to consume them in a controlled manner during the summer months. Otherwise, our illnesses may worsen. Unfortunately, our patients may end up in hospital and our emergency departments are filled with such patients during the summer. We need to stay in the shade, we should continue our lives with safety measures, it is obvious that we will experience this heat frequently from now on. Your heart may not always be able to compensate for these changes in blood pressure, pulse, and fluid changes. Here, you may end up in hospital with more serious consequences,” he said.
“WE SEE PEOPLE WHO HAVE FALLEN ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BEING BROUGHT IN ON STRETCHERS”
Prof. Dr. Mert said that people should avoid going out if possible during the hours when the sun is at a direct angle and if they are outside, they should take precautions, and continued his words as follows:
“Please rest during those hours, if you have to work, take your medication beforehand, check your blood pressure and sugar. Just as we take flood warnings seriously, we know that extreme heat warnings can have fatal consequences, that our illnesses that we keep in balance with our efforts can disrupt everything, and that even the healthiest person can come across us with sunstroke symptoms. Sometimes we see people who have fainted on the side of the road being brought in on stretchers. These are mostly due to excessive fluid loss and low blood pressure. Most of the time, we correct them with medical intervention.
The elderly, pregnant women, children, and those with chronic diseases are more sensitive. Everyone should be careful, this group should be doubly careful. They have been coming with drops and spikes in their blood sugar and blood pressure, severe headaches, and muscle pains lately. There is an increase in weakness and fatigue. Of course, there is an increase in infections in the summer, I would like to remind you to use air conditioners and ventilation systems correctly. Let’s say that there can also be infections from poorly maintained air conditioners. Let’s also carry some water with us, I don’t want it to be an obsession, there is also water poisoning. Keep in mind that you may need individual arrangements regarding your illnesses, if necessary, consult your physicians and make arrangements on this issue.
Source: www.cumhuriyet.com.tr
