What's the secret to a healthy summer in the heat wave?
Aug 05, 2025
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Professor Ham Seung-heon of the Department of Vocational Environmental Medicine at Gachon University Gil Hospital (vice-center director of Incheon Environmental Health Center) emphasized the importance of active preparation for preventing heat diseases in the summer season.
In the heat wave, especially the elderly, children, chronically ill, and people who are active outdoors for a long time are more vulnerable to heat diseases, so special attention is needed.
◇ Heatstroke among heat illnesses is an emergency...Particular attention paid to the elderly, children, and people with chronic diseases
Heat disease refers to various symptoms that occur when exposed to a high-temperature environment for a long time, the body temperature control function does not work properly. Often mild symptoms include fever cramps, which are muscle cramps that occur after sweating a lot, and fever rashes that appear due to clogged sweat glands. Furthermore, it varies from dizziness, headache, vomiting, heat exhaustion accompanied by extreme lethargy due to loss of large amounts of moisture and salt, and furthermore, heatstroke, in which body temperature rises above 40 degrees and consciousness is blurred.
Heatstroke, in particular, is an emergency and is a fatal disease that can lead to brain damage or death if not transferred to a hospital immediately. In fact, there are already estimated deaths from heat diseases this year alone.
Thermal diseases can occur to anyone, but the elderly, in particular, are at high risk of dehydration because they are insensitive to changes in body temperature and do not feel thirsty. In addition, there are many cases of reluctance to use air conditioners to save electricity bills, so close attention from the surrounding people is required.
In the case of children, although the amount of heat generated in the body is high, the body is not capable of controlling body temperature, so it does not emit enough heat, and in particular, neglect in the vehicle can lead to fatal accidents that threaten the child's life in just a few minutes.
In addition, people suffering from chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, cardio-cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, and kidney disease are more vulnerable to the heat. Farmers who are in the midst of farming season can also harm their health without being aware of danger signals if they work for a long time in a hot environment.
◇Water, shade, and rest are important...Beer, carbonated drinks, caffeinated drinks, and dehydration
The most important countermeasure for heat illness is 'prevention', and in order to maintain a healthy life even in the heat wave, drinking enough water, resting frequently in the shade, and not overdoing it are the key.
Since thirst is already a sign of a lack of moisture in the body, it is important to consciously drink water frequently even before you feel thirsty. In particular, if outdoor activities are scheduled, it is recommended to drink a cup of cool water every 15 to 20 minutes, and if you sweat a lot, it is also helpful to consume water, cucumbers, and fruits mixed with a little salt to replenish salt. However, it is desirable to avoid beer, carbonated drinks, and caffeine drinks because they can cause dehydration due to diuretic effects.
It is recommended to avoid outdoor activities as much as possible from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., when the sun is at its strongest, and to relax indoors or in the shade. If you have to do outdoor activities or outdoor work inevitably, it is safe to control the intensity of the activity, move with colleagues, and check each other's conditions from time to time. Ventilated bright loose clothes and wide-brimmed hats are effective in maintaining body temperature and blocking UV rays. Just soaking a towel in cool water and wrapping it around your neck helps to reduce the fever.
Most of all, in a busy daily life, you may think 'Let's finish this work and rest', but in the heat, 'Courageous Rest' is the shortcut to keeping your health. If you are active outdoors, you must rest in the shade for at least 10 to 15 minutes every hour, and if you develop symptoms of dizziness or nausea, you should immediately stop all activities. In that case, measures should be taken to lower the body temperature.
◇ If you are unconscious, move to a cool place, loosen your clothes...You can't force her to water
If there is a person showing suspicious symptoms of a heat disease around, it is necessary to respond quickly. If you are unconscious, you should immediately call 119 and move to a cool place, loosen your clothes, and lower your body temperature.
It is effective to apply ice bags or wet towels to areas where large blood vessels pass, such as the neck, armpit, and groin. You should never force yourself to water an unconscious person. On the other hand, if you are conscious, it is helpful to move to a cool place, lower your body temperature with a fan or fan, and let you drink water or ion drinks slowly. However, in an outdoor environment with a high temperature of 41 degrees Celsius, which is higher than body temperature, fans and large circulators should avoid hot air by shooting hot air at the body. If the symptoms do not improve, you should visit the hospital without delay.
Professor Ham said, "It takes a small amount of attention and practice to have a healthy and lively summer"I hope everyone will lead a healthy life with a warm heart by checking each other's safety often and handing over a glass of cool water " he said.
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
