Heat is an almost invisible but deadly danger. In France, since 2014, 35,000 people have lost their lives due to the summer heat, according to 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.
• About yourself
Is it easier to spot 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 hot flashes after 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” when passing the arm under the water. This is a signal to increase “humidification and ventilation of [sa] skin”, according to SPF. Other signs, more visible and symptomatic of an advanced stage: cramps, headaches, nausea or unusual tiredness. Incoherent speech or loss of orientation can also be warning signs.
• In children (small)
“From one end of life to the other, we are very vulnerable to heat,” stresses Brigitte Virey, president of the National Union of Pediatricians. Thus, children are part of the public at risk, to a degree that varies by age. Babies and infants are particularly exposed and their suffering is more difficult to express.
“Among the signs to look out for is the fact that the baby sleeps a lot and has trouble waking up. You have to be aware of unusual fatigue, drowsiness and irritability”, says the expert.
Other visual clues can identify overheating. The fact that the child is breathing rapidly, has a pale appearance and sunken eyes and/or dark circles. As for the danger of dehydration, parents can watch the baby’s mouth. If your tongue is dry and there is little saliva, you are probably dehydrated. A dry diaper and too much spaced urine are also indicators. Last sign of dehydration, if the fontanelle, the soft space on top of the head, collapses.
To guard against this, you should regularly hydrate your baby, keep him inside, and feel free to soak him in water or use a spray bottle. But not in too cold water, “otherwise it’s a thermal shock.”
“For older children, the symptoms are more or less the same. Except that they will be able to express them, say that they are thirsty or that they feel bad ”, concludes the pediatrician Brigitte Virey.
• In old age
Heat waves are painful reminders that heat poses great risks for older people. 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, especially in establishments for people in situations of dependency (EHPAD).
Juliette Sabourault, a geriatric doctor from the Ambroise-Paré Hospital, stresses that it is important for relatives to “call regularly” and, if possible, visit the elderly. Certain visual signs, such as excessive sweating, can suggest overheating.
As at any age, hydration is key. However, after a certain age, “the sensation of thirst may decrease.” Feel free to offer water regularly and make sure the person has had a few sips. Reminders are even more important in people who have developed memory problems.
Drinking water is not enough, it is also necessary to ensure that the diet is sufficient, with water being naturally present. At the same time, salt intake must be sufficient to ensure good hydration.
Almost invisible signs can also be present. “Confusion” may be one of them. It is characterized by incoherent actions or words. A voltage drop may also occur. And, in the most serious cases, confusion can lead to falls. “If a person falls, you have to call the doctor quickly,” orders the geriatrician.
Source: BFM TV
