ASOURCE Navi

After the end of the rainy season this year, the temperature is expected to be higher than usual, and it is expected to be a hot day in various places, so it is necessary to be well prepared for heatstroke.

This summer, the Japanese archipelago will be covered by high pressure due to the "La Niña" phenomenon, in which the sea surface temperature off the coast of Peru in South America will be lower than normal, and there is a high possibility that there will be many hot summer days in various places. In addition, as the spread of the new coronavirus continues, many people are likely to be less physically fit as they refrain from going out, and the number of people suffering from heatstroke is likely to increase. What kind of points should I be careful of in order not to get heat stroke due to corona misfortune?

Wearing a mask has become a habit due to the corona sickness, but wearing a mask in a hot and humid environment makes it difficult for heat to escape from the skin, and it is said that the risk of heat stroke increases, such as dehydration without realizing it. increase. For this reason, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and the Ministry of the Environment have created a leaflet on "Prevention of Heat Stroke and Corona Infection" and recently released it on their website. According to it, it is recommended to remove the mask outdoors to prevent heatstroke, especially when exercising, and it is not necessary to wear a mask when walking, running, commuting outdoors, etc. is specified. When indoors, keep a distance of at least 2 meters from other people, and if you rarely talk, you don't need to wear a mask. However, it is still required to wear a mask when visiting a medical institution.

Even if you stay indoors, you can get heatstroke, so be careful not to let the room temperature rise by using air conditioners and fans appropriately. A series of shutdowns and shutdowns of thermal power plants have tightened the power supply and demand balance, raising concerns over the possibility of large-scale power outages. Saving electricity is important, but it is also important to prioritize life and health and not put up with the heat. It is necessary to manage the room at an appropriate temperature, using the room temperature of 28°C recommended by the Ministry of the Environment when using an air conditioner as a guide. Also, using the air conditioner while sleeping is effective in preventing heatstroke. While children have not yet developed the ability to regulate their body temperature, the elderly tend to develop dehydration without realizing it because their ability to regulate body temperature has decreased. Be mindful of the people around you on a daily basis.

The Ministry of the Environment's "heatstroke prevention information site" and other sites publish the "heat index" for each region, which can be used as a reference. A heat index of 28 or higher is a "severe warning", and a heat index of 33 or higher is a "heat stroke warning", so special caution is required.

Regarding hydration, it is important for healthy people to drink water frequently. Wearing a mask increases the humidity inside the mask, making it difficult to feel thirsty. Even if you are not thirsty, it is good to decide the time and drink water or tea consciously. If you have an underlying medical condition, talk to your doctor about how much and how to rehydrate, as drinking too much water can exacerbate a medical condition.

Symptoms of heat stroke include lightheadedness and dizziness in mild cases, but headaches and vomiting are seen in advanced symptoms. In some cases, people who thought they had a heat stroke were actually infected with the new coronavirus. Fever, headache, and fatigue are common to both, but the new coronavirus infection is characterized by coughing, shortness of breath, taste and smell disorders, and heat stroke is characterized by dizziness and convulsions.

I want to get through this summer, which is said to be extremely hot, by building physical strength in preparation for the heat and managing my physical condition on a daily basis.