Citizens emphasized the importance of drinking water in extreme heat, abundant, avoiding foods that affect blood sugar quickly.
With the arrival of the summer months, body temperature increases due to the increase in temperature and humidity. Under the influence of heat, the body can lose water and minerals, which can lead to health problems such as fainting and nausea.
People aged 65 and over, young children, people in need of care, people with disabilities, pregnant women, those who work in heavy labor, people with chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, chronic respiratory system diseases, liver diseases, kidney diseases and especially people who constantly use blood pressure lowering, diuretic and depression medications are most affected by extreme heat.
In order to protect against extreme heat, it is recommended to wear loose, light and light-colored clothes and take warm showers to cool off during the day.
It is important to drink more water than usual during the hot summer months and not to wait until you are thirsty to consume water. Since water is the most natural and important source of fluid for the body, excessive fluid loss can be dangerous. Water requirement may vary according to air temperature, physical activity and the diet consumed.
Water excretion increases in hot weather, when physical activity is high, when the amount of protein and salt in the diet is high, through sweating and kidneys, through respiration in febrile diseases, and through the intestines in diarrhea. In this case, the water-liquid requirement also increases.
“Consumption of food sold outdoors and in the open should be avoided”
Diet is also of great importance to protect against the negative effects of hot weather. It is recommended to maintain health in extreme heat, to eat a sufficient and balanced diet and to avoid heavy meals. Foods that raise or lower blood sugar rapidly should not be preferred, and fiber-rich foods such as whole wheat bread and bulgur should be consumed instead of white bread and rice.
It is recommended to reduce the consumption of sugary foods such as pure sugar and sweets, cakes, biscuits and chocolates, which are simple carbohydrates with high energy. It is recommended to eat milk or fruit desserts instead of pastry desserts.
Food poisoning due to food spoilage can be encountered more frequently with the effect of hot weather. For this reason, it is important to avoid the consumption of food sold outdoors and in the open especially in summer, not to keep potentially risky foods such as meat, eggs, milk and fish in the open, and to pay attention to hygiene rules during the preparation and cooking stages of food.
In order to prevent diarrhea, which is especially caused by rotaviruses and is common in infants and children in the summer months, attention should be paid to hand hygiene, vegetables and fruits should be washed thoroughly with plenty of water before consumption, and those with diarrhea should apply to the nearest health institution.
