I think that I have a bit of heat stroke, heat exhaustion, or something. I took my grandson out yesterday, concentrated on keeping him safe and well, and didn’t look after myself. Have you been looking after your health during this heatwave here in the UK?
What are the signs of a heat related illness?
Heat exhaustion may cause:
• Heavy sweating
• Dizziness or fainting
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Muscle cramps
• Weakness
If this happens:
• Move to a cool place.
• Drink cool water or an electrolyte drink.
• Loosen clothing and cool the skin with water or a fan.
It is best to seek medical advice if symptoms don’t improve within 30 minutes. Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Call for help if any one has any of these symptoms.
• A body temperature above 40°C (104°F), if measurable
• Confusion, unusual behaviour, or loss of consciousness
• Hot, flushed skin
• Seizures
• Difficulty responding.
While waiting for help, move a person to a cool place and try to cool them with water, ice packs on the neck, armpits, and groin, or cool, wet cloths. Do not force fluids if they are unconscious or confused.
Luckily my symptoms improved and I am taking it easy and mostly staying out of the sun today.
During a heat wave, your body has to work harder to stay cool. Taking a few simple precautions can reduce the risk of heat exhaustion and the more serious condition of heatstroke. Here are some of the best ways to protect your health:
Stay hydrated.
Drink water regularly, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Limit alcohol and excessive caffeine, as they can contribute to dehydration.
Keep your home cool.
Close curtains or blinds during the hottest part of the day, open windows when it’s cooler outside (such as at night or early morning), and use fans if they’re effective. Air-conditioned public places like libraries or shopping centres can provide relief if your home is very hot.
Avoid the midday heat.
Try to stay indoors or in the shade between about 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., when the sun is usually strongest. We went in an air conditioned soft play area yesterday.
Wear suitable clothing.
Choose lightweight, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothes and a wide-brimmed hat if you’re outdoors. Natural fibres are best like cotton.
Use sunscreen.
Advice is to also apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to prevent sunburn, which can make it harder for your body to cool itself. To be honest I never use suntan cream. I have old skin that tans naturally after years in the garden. 😁
Take cool showers or baths.
Wetting your skin with cool water or using damp cloths on your neck, wrists, and forehead can help lower your body temperature. A couple of times this week I have wrapped a wet sheet around myself to cool down.
Reduce strenuous activity.
If you need to exercise or work outside, do so early in the morning or later in the evening, and take frequent breaks in the shade. That is what I did wrong yesterday. I forgot I was 65 and played football with kids.
Eat light meals.
Smaller, water-rich meals such as salads, fruit, and vegetables are often easier to tolerate in hot weather. I don’t know about you but my appetite really reduces when it is hot. This can be dangerous if it continues for over a week ( unless you have blubber to lose like me!)
Check on vulnerable people.
Older adults, young children, pregnant people, and those with chronic illnesses are at greater risk from extreme heat. Make sure they have access to fluids and a cool environment. I went shopping for an old friend this week as she can’t breath properly with the heat if she goes out. I didn’t know until I asked.
Never leave people or pets in parked cars.
Temperatures inside a vehicle can become dangerously high within minutes, even if a window is left slightly open. Even with the AC on yesterday my grandson was melting as we drove in the car.
If you’re in the UK, it’s also worth checking local weather forecasts and any official heat-health alerts during periods of very hot weather, especially if you or someone you care for is in a higher-risk group. What are you doing to stay cool?
White cabbage leaves came off as I moved it in the fridge. 💡 moment from my friend who suffered with mastitis and used to put them in her bra. I opted for on my shoulders but they were wonderfully cooling.
Still sleeping with a pop bottle of frozen water but now also drinking it when I wake in the night as I’m not visiting the bathroom as much as usual so need to hydrate more. Theatre air con last night was heaven, so pleased I’m there again tonight with a SFL member and as I’ve been able to get us free tickets we will buy overpriced ice cream and drinks and donate towards their refurbishment project willingly. Thank you for connecting us. 😎
I am classed as vulnerable because of health conditions also because of the medication I take. Talking of medications there are a lot that should be refrigerated over a certain temperature. I have where possible been only going into the garden early morning and in the evening if it gets cooler.
I am eating sensibly and drinking a bit of extra water. I have sun hats if I need to go out and have got sun lotion but haven’t used it much this year as have hardly been out in the sun.
We air the rooms early morning then close the windows, blinds and curtains in the front of the house. In the evening the windows are opened again. I go out then and see if there’s anything that my husband hasn’t got around to watering and helping and picking some raspberries and blueberries.
We don’t take our dog out after his early morning walk as the paths can get really hot .Then he goes out again in the evening. In between he goes out into the garden for toilet visits but doesn’t stay out. He has got very used to a fan this summer and I have also put his feet into warm water and rubbed a damp cloth around his face and neck to cool him.
When he wouldn’t drink any extra I cut up some pieces of cucumber to give him which he likes to have.
Brilliant important info Toni thank you for sharing xx
Brilliant important info Toni thank you for sharing xx
Good advice, Toni. I have found the heat very difficult to cope with now I’m over 70. Years ago, I’d have loved it.
Our son brought over a fan and it was a great relief but he needed to take it home again as his flat is under a flat roof and gets exceptionally warm. So I have ordered one as there’s a view that the summer is going to continue with further heatwaves. It was very difficult to find a good one that could be delivered within a week, so if anyone is considering purchasing one, it’d be worth doing it soon.
My new tip is to wear a big-brimmed sunhat. Got a dmart paper-based charity shop find, that I had to chase 4 times on coastal walks!
As my face reacted to sunscreen this was a great alternative!