The record heat that will hit several provinces in Sardinia starting today poses a serious threat to human health , especially for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and residents with pre-existing conditions. And the soaring temperatures pose risks to human health, including possible damage to vital organs and the brain.

The alarm was raised by experts from the Italian Society of Environmental Medicine (SIMA).

"Excessive heat causes health problems because it can alter the body's temperature regulation system," says SIMA President Alessandro Miani. "The human body cools itself through sweating, but in certain environmental conditions, this isn't enough: excessive humidity prevents sweat from evaporating, causing body heat to rise rapidly and potentially damaging vital organs and the brain. Excessively high temperatures can cause mild ailments such as cramps, fainting, and edema, but also serious problems, from congestion to dehydration, worsening the health of people with pre-existing chronic conditions."

Sima also lists the most frequent heat-related ailments:

  • Sunstroke: causes erythema or burns, sometimes accompanied by symptoms similar to heat stroke;
  • Cramps : physical pain caused by a loss of sodium due to sweating and a consequent alteration of the water-salt balance;
  • Edema: caused by fluid retention in the lower limbs as a consequence of prolonged peripheral vasodilation;
  • Congestion: Caused by drinking iced drinks in an overheated body, symptoms include sweating and chest pain;
  • Dehydration : main symptoms are thirst, weakness, dizziness, palpitations, anxiety, dry skin and mucous membranes, muscle cramps, low blood pressure;
  • Heat stroke occurs when the body's natural ability to regulate temperature is compromised and manifests with a wide range of signs and symptoms depending on the severity of the condition. The first symptom is sudden general malaise, followed by headache, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness, eventually leading to anxiety and confusion.

The Italian Society of Environmental Medicine also releases a series of practical tips for protecting yourself from the heat :

- Avoid exposure to heat and direct sunlight and only leave the house during the coolest hours

- Ensure adequate air exchange in the home and facilitate natural ventilation

- Keep rooms cool by screening windows exposed to the sun (using blinds, shutters, curtains, etc.)

- Close windows during the day and open them during the cooler hours of the day (evenings and nights)

- Take frequent baths and showers with warm water

- Drink at least 1.5/3 litres of water during the day, avoid alcohol and prefer foods that contain a lot of water, such as fruit and vegetables

- When leaving the house, protect your eyes with sunglasses and prevent sunburn with high-factor sunscreen.

- Wear clothes made of natural fibres (linen or cotton) and breathable garments, preferably light-coloured

- Avoid outdoor sports activities during the hottest hours

(Unioneonline)

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