Heat waves, the activities of the Ministry of Health – Help Consumers

out of the house in the cooler hours of the day, wear appropriate clothing and a light, refreshing both home and work. These are some of the recommendations contained in the handbook developed by the Ministry of Health to cope with heat waves. The arrival of the summer season once again, in fact, the theme of the defense of the most vulnerable part of the population from health risks associated with heat waves, especially young children, pregnant women, the elderly and chronically ill. For this, the Ministry has taken steps to activate a series of initiatives under the program of Safe Summer 2014.

From June 3 and up September 15, is on the National System of forecast alarm heat waves , which allows the prediction, monitoring and prevention of the effects of heat waves on the health of the population. Set in 27 Italian cities, allowing you to identify, from Monday to Friday, for each specific urban area, the weather-climatic conditions which may have a significant impact on the health of vulnerable groups. On the basis of these models are processed daily newsletters for every city in which they are informed of the possible health effects of expected weather conditions at 24, 48 and 72 hours. Newsletters are published on the corporate portal of the Ministry (www.salute.gov.it / caldo.html) and are disseminated daily to referral centers identified by the local government authorities, for activation in case of need for intervention plans for the vulnerable population.

These, finally, the other recommendations that the Ministry has issued:

REDUCE THE BODY TEMPERATURE . Take baths and showers with warm water, wet face and arms with fresh water. In cases of very high temperatures put a wet towel on the nape.

REDUCE THE LEVEL OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY . During the hottest hours of the day to avoid strenuous physical activity or exercise outdoors heavy work.

DRINK REGULARLY AND EATING IN THE CORRECT WAY . Drink at least 2 liters of water a day (unless otherwise directed by your doctor). The elderly should drink even if you do not feel the need. Avoid drinking alcohol and limit your intake of carbonated beverages or too cold. Eat light foods and preferably with high water content (fruits and vegetables). Pay particular attention to the preservation of foods and avoid leaving them outdoors for more than 2 hours.

DOTTARE A FEW PRECAUTIONS IF YOU COME OUT IN THE MACHINE . If you get into a car parked in the sun, before getting the doors open, then start the trip with the windows open or use the air conditioning system. Be careful when placing children about child safety seats, ensure they are not overheated. When you park the car never leave, even for a few minutes, people or animals in the cockpit.

KEEP THE CORRECT MEDICATION . Carefully read the instructions given on the packaging of drugs and keep all medications in their package, away from heat and direct sunlight. Store in a refrigerator drugs for which there is a storage temperature not exceeding 25-30 ° C.

TAKE SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS IN CASE OF PERSONS AT RISK . When it’s very hot, older people with chronic diseases (cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, diabetes, etc.) and people who take drugs, they must observe the following precautions:

• consult your doctor for possible adjustment of therapy or the frequency of clinical and laboratory findings (eg for diabetics is advisable to increase the frequency of blood glucose testing);

report to their physician any discomfort, however slight, manifesting itself during the farmacolgica therapy;

not ever suspend its own initiative ongoing therapy.

SUPERVISE AND TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE AT RISK . In prolonged periods of intense heat, pay attention to elderly family members or neighbors, especially if they live alone and, where possible, help them do some small chores, like grocery shopping, pick up your medications at the pharmacy, etc.. Report to the health services of any situations that require intervention, such as people living in situations of extreme poverty or health hazard (eg the homeless in severe need).

09/06/2014 – 10:32 – Author: VC