Heat wave: 10 things not to do

In period of heat wavethere are things not to do and advice to adopt for yourself and… to protect others.

Iced drink

Hoping to bring down the temperature of the body by running a liquid cold is an illusion. It is unnecessary violence imposed on the organism. Moreover, swallowing an icy liquid is not very pleasant and can encourage you to drink less. It’s here sweating, therefore evaporation, which produces cold. Should we therefore favor hot drinks? The debate is not closed, especially since it also continues for the effect of caffeine. It is not recommended in high heat, because of its diuretic effect, but in moderate doses, it is weak. Indulging yourself with tea is therefore a good idea.

Drink fresh fruit juices

If they are of industrial manufacture and not stamped “No added sugar”, fruit drinks should not be consumed in an excessive way, under penalty of tiring the factory ofinsulinlurking in the pancreas and responsible for lowering blood sugar levels.

Drink beers

She is good beer drunk in the shade on a hot day… Certainly, but thealcohol is not a good friend for our body and does not facilitate its task, for thermal regulation as for the rest. After a few pints, in addition to impaired cognitive abilities, the body will suffer a loss of water due to the diuretic effect. Drink in moderation, therefore.

Take cold showers

This courageous act is also violence against the body. Temperature will decrease rapidly, and will continue as the water evaporates. But the thermal shock, then, will be hard and the body will have to adapt again to a sudden rise in temperature.

Jogging in ozone pollution

In town, the strong sunshine and the absence of wind increase in summer the concentration ofair in ozone (O₃), a powerful and harmful oxidant. Whether stratospheric ozonetwenty kilometers above our lungsprotects us from ultraviolet too energetic, this molecule, at ground level, is a hazardous pollutant. Municipalities are increasingly taking action to mitigate “ozone spikes”. During these periods, run in town and breathing with full lungs is most likely harmful to health.

Harassing old people to make them drink

Since the 2003 heat wave, which caused thousands of premature deaths among the elderly, the – correct – idea that they feel less than young people the sensation of thirst has spread widely. A little too much perhaps, explain today doctors, who recall that the production of sweat decreases with age and that the excess water will have to be eliminated by the kidneys. A tea, a piece of fruit, a glass of water or fruit juicefreshness, ventilationsoftness, presence: combining all this represents a good strategy.

eat very little

appetite decreases when it is too hot. It is still necessary to continue to feed in sufficient quantities and in a balanced way, otherwise the body weakens.

Put the air conditioning of the car at 20°C

When it is 35°C outside, keep the temperature too low in the vehicle (if the heating system air conditioner achieve this and not to mention the fuel consumption) is not a good idea. It is, there again, a violence done to the organism, which must then face up to brutal and very strong changes, in one direction and in the other. Our body is made to adapt to cold and hot, but it takes time. When the temperatures are high outside, our system of thermal regulation is enough to be confused if he is made to believe that, suddenly, thewinter has come.

Open all windows

Good at night, the idea is bad during the day when the temperature outside is higher than inside. By very strong heat, better to barricade yourself. Especially since, in town, Pollution is generally stronger during heat waves.

Think only of your own health

In general, humans survive summer heat waves, so there is no need to worry. On the other hand, lonely, elderly or sick people can suffer. So it’s time to look at the others, to check the opening of the shutters of the nice grandmother opposite or to notice the gait of someone in the grip of a vertigo.