Beijing enters
the super-long version of 20 days of mid-summer days,
strong warm and humid air flow, and the hot summer heat is “hot water”,
sultry is the recent weather the norm.
Hot weather not only brings us
emotional discomfort, but also has a great impact on our health.
01. In the hot summer, the body faces many “challenges”
High temperature, high humidity and strong heat radiation weather can cause a series of physiological changes in the body’s body temperature regulation, water and salt metabolism, circulatory system, digestive system, nervous system, urinary system, etc., which may lead to heat stroke and may affect emotional stability , may also aggravate the pre-existing disease.
Older people often suffer from a variety of chronic diseases, and the consequences of heatstroke are more serious. Recently, hot weather has appeared in many places, which is undoubtedly a threat to the elderly.
In the hot summer, the elderly still wear thick clothes, isn’t it hot?
With the increase of age, the sensitivity of the elderly to external temperature changes is weakened, and the ability to perceive hot and cold becomes worse, but the physical function’s demand for temperature does not actually decrease.
The normal regulation of body temperature is essential for our body. In extremely hot weather, the abnormal thermoregulation function will not be able to maintain the relative balance between heat production and heat dissipation, which will cause discomfort, disease and even death.
Why is there a high incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in hot weather?
In a high temperature environment, in order to strengthen heat dissipation, blood vessels dilate, blood concentrates on the body surface, and blood supply to the heart and brain decreases. At the same time, a lot of sweating will lead to the loss of water in the body and the increase of blood viscosity, which is easy to induce cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases such as stroke and myocardial infarction.
What are the effects of high temperature, humidity and no wind on the body?
Respiratory system: Heat waves can irritate the respiratory system and increase the risk of respiratory-related diseases. At the same time, because pollen, fungal spores and mold are more active, allergic respiratory diseases are prone to occur.
Digestive system: In high temperature days, the blood vessels of the abdominal cavity constrict, the secretion of gastric juice is reduced, and the gastric motility is weakened, which can cause loss of appetite, indigestion and other gastrointestinal diseases.
Emotional reactions: Irritability is the most common negative emotion during high temperature, and it is also prone to emotional reactions such as feeling depressed, easy fatigue/drowsiness, etc.
02. The elderly, pay more attention in high temperature weather
The elderly’s physical function has degenerated, and their constitution is relatively weak. The response will become sluggish, and it may be accompanied by underlying diseases. It will be more easily affected in high temperature weather, and it is an important group of people who are vulnerable to high temperature weather. Therefore, the elderly need to pay more attention to their daily life style.
Diet should be light
You should choose light and easily digestible food every day. Also pay attention to dietary hygiene, it is best not to eat leftovers, and raw fruits and vegetables should also be washed and peeled. Eat less or no cold drinks, alcoholic or sugary drinks, or high-fat, spicy and spicy foods. Make sure to drink plenty of water, don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink water, drink small amounts of water several times.
Moderate activity
To avoid high-intensity exercise, use daily physical activity within your means. Morning exercise should not be too early, but also avoid exercising under the direct sunlight. Pay attention to the weather forecast and avoid outdoor activities when the temperature is too high. If you must go out, be prepared for the shade.
Mood should be stable
Slow down the pace of life and focus on emotional relaxation. Keep your mind as quiet and comfortable as possible to avoid losing control of your emotions. Living well and ensuring adequate sleep. If you don’t sleep well at night when the weather is hot, you can take a 30-minute nap in the afternoon to make up for it.
The environment should be comfortable
You can turn on the air conditioner when the temperature is too high . To clean the air conditioner, the temperature should not be set too low, and the temperature difference between indoor and outdoor should be moderate. Generally, it is better to be 5°C to 8°C lower in the house than outside. When using air conditioners and fans, be careful not to blow directly at the elderly. Minimize the use of stoves, ovens, etc. If you use them, you should pay attention to replenishing water in time, leave the kitchen often, and rest in the shade or in a cool and ventilated place.
For the elderly with chronic diseases, it is also necessary to adhere to regular medication, and to monitor blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood lipid levels. If severe discomfort occurs, seek medical attention immediately.
Source: Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Editor: Xie Yongli
Process Editor: Guo Dan