The Athens Medical Association calls on citizens to take precautionary measures against the heatwave especially if they belong to vulnerable groups of the population.
When the ambient temperature exceeds the upper tolerable limits and in combination with certain other factors (humidity, apnea, calm, prolonged low one-directional winds, etc.), conditions that are not tolerated by the human body can be created. The resulting pathological conditions may lead to serious complications and endanger the patient's life.
«We urge citizens to scrupulously observe precautionary measures against high temperatures, which can endanger health, especially for those belonging to vulnerable groups of the population. We must take individual responsibility for protecting our health and follow the recommendations of the scientific community. We have a duty both to ourselves and to society as a whole», commented the President of the IAA, George Patoulis.
The most important development of disorders of the body from high temperatures is heatstroke, which occurs after prolonged exposure to the sun, especially during a heatwave, and is manifested by a sudden increase in body temperature (>40-41oC), redness and dryness of the skin, intense thirst, confusional behavior, body spasms and finally loss of consciousness and coma. In particular, people suffering from cardiovascular diseases and other diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, renal failure, lung diseases, etc., belong to particularly vulnerable population groups and should take appropriate measures during the summer months to avoid the above-mentioned morbid conditions.
Precautionary instructions:
- Avoid exposure to the sun and stay in shaded and cool areas. In case of forced exposure to the sun, a hat and dark glasses should be used. Clothing should preferably consist of thin, loose-fitting, light-coloured, mainly cotton clothing.
- Avoid, as far as possible, physical fatigue and work during the hottest hours of the day.
- Plenty of cool water or natural juices. Avoid sugary, carbonated drinks.
- Intake of light, non-fatty, salted food, divided into small frequent meals. Avoid alcoholic beverages.
- Often cool baths, laying cold patches.
- People on medication, especially those taking diuretics, sedatives, antihypertensives, antihistamines, B-blockers, etc., should be in constant contact with their doctors in order to receive the appropriate instructions.
- Also, those suffering from diseases of the cardiovascular, central nervous and respiratory systems, diabetics, kidney patients, alcoholics and those suffering from all kinds of heavy diseases should be in constant contact with their doctors.
- Residents of the centre of Athens to limit their movements in the areas of the centre characterised by high air pollution and increased traffic. Residents of the centre of Athens should preferably stay at home during the hottest hours of the day.
- Vulnerable categories of the population (infants, pre-school children, elderly, pregnant women, obese, etc.) should strictly observe the precautionary measures and contact their doctor immediately if they experience any symptom that may be a result of the weather conditions such as dizziness, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, behavioural disorders, nausea, vomiting, cramps, etc.
For more information and instructions on how to protect themselves from the high temperatures, citizens can visit the website of the General Secretariat for Civil Protection at www.civilprotection.gr and the website of the Ministry of Health: https://www.moh.gov.gr/articles/health/dieythynsh-dhmosias-ygieinhs/metadotika-kai-mh-metadotika-noshmata/c388-egkyklioi/7184-prolhpsh-twn-epiptwsewn-apo-thn-emfanish-ypshlwn-thermokrasiwn-kai-kayswna and http://www.moh.gov.gr/articles/heaIth/agogiygeίas/596-Ρrostateytika-metra-gia-ton-kayswna
In addition, the General Secretariat for Civil Protection (www.civilprotection.gr) of the Ministry of Citizen Protection has informed the competent government departments involved, as well as the regions and municipalities of the country, in order to be in increased readiness for civil protection, in order to deal immediately with the effects of the prevalence of high temperatures.
