The Ministry of Health reminds the public of the importance of preventing and mitigating the negative effects that excessive heat can have on the health of citizens.
Health reminds people
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The Ministry highlights the effects that heat can have, especially on at-risk or vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, pregnant women, minors and people with chronic illnesses, as well as those groups who work or exercise outdoors.
With this objective in mind, the Health Department is keeping the National Plan for Preventive Actions against the Effects of Excess Temperatures on Health active, which this year brought forward its entry into force to 15 May and will remain in force until 30 September. To minimise the damage that people can suffer as a result of the heat, Health insists on the following decalogue of general recommendations:
The Ministry of Health reminds the public of the importance of preventing and mitigating the negative effects that excessive heat can have on the health of citizens.
The Ministry highlights the effects that heat can have, especially on at-risk or vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, pregnant women, minors and people with chronic illnesses, as well as those groups who work or exercise outdoors.
With this objective in mind, the Health Department is keeping the National Plan for Preventive Actions against the Effects of Excess Temperatures on Health active, which this year brought forward its entry into force to 15 May and will remain in force until 30 September. To minimise the damage that people can suffer as a result of the heat, Health insists on the following decalogue of general recommendations:
Drink water or liquids frequently, even if you do not feel thirsty and regardless of your physical activity.
Avoid caffeinated, alcoholic or sugary drinks, as they can promote dehydration.
Although anyone can suffer from a heat-related problem, pay special attention to: babies, children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, as well as elderly people or people with illnesses that can be aggravated by heat (such as heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, cancer, pathologies that hinder mobility, dementia and other mental illnesses, as well as drug or alcohol abuse).
Stay as long as possible in cool, shady or air-conditioned places, and cool down whenever necessary.
Try to reduce physical activity and avoid outdoor sports in the middle of the day.
Wear light, loose-fitting, breathable clothing.
Never leave anyone in a parked and locked vehicle (especially minors, elderly or chronically ill people).
Consult your health professional for symptoms that last more than one hour and that may be related to high temperatures.
Keep your medicines in a cool place; heat can alter their composition and effects.
Eat light meals to help replenish salts lost through sweating (salads, fruit, vegetables, juices, etc.). With the aim of alerting health authorities and the public sufficiently in advance of possible risk situations, the Health Department provides the autonomous communities with daily (maximum) temperature forecasts drawn up by the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) as well as the levels of health risk due to high temperatures. This information is also available to the public on the Ministry’s website.
The Plan takes into account the maximum temperatures forecast for three days, the maximum and minimum observed temperatures recorded the previous day and the maximum threshold temperatures, established on the basis of epidemiological studies that have made it possible to relate excess temperature and mortality. In addition, the persistence over time of excess temperature is considered as a health risk factor.