Following custom, the months of August and September were difficult months for Brasilia residents, as they were marked by high temperatures, low air humidity and intense drought. Last Wednesday (20), for example, the maximum temperature recorded was 35º, making it the hottest day of the year.
At the beginning of this week, the National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet) issued an orange heat wave alert, which is expected to persist until 6pm next Sunday (24), predicting temperatures that could exceed 40°C in regions of the Central-West. and the North.
The extreme heat wave brings a series of challenges to the health of Brasilia residents. The most common problems include nosebleeds, dry lips, itchy eyes, dry skin and an increase in respiratory illnesses.
Symptoms that chef Kevin da Libra has already felt and takes precautions to avoid. “I use a lot of sunscreen, I have a bottle in my backpack, I always drink a lot of water. The worst time for me is when I leave work, around 3pm, the heat is blistering.” During these months, the human body constantly loses water due to breathing, sweat and urine, resulting in the loss of mineral salts vital for the healthy functioning of the body.
Therefore, the Primary Care Coordinator of the Department of Health (SES-DF), Fabiana Fonseca, alerts the population about the importance of adopting preventive measures. “During this period, we should increase water consumption and avoid sun exposure between 10 am and 4 pm, especially children, the elderly and people with chronic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes”, she advises. It also warns of signs of dehydration, which may be subtle at first, including weakness, dizziness and malaise.
Street vendor Maria Nazaré Dantas, 55 years old, works from 9am to 5pm and says she has already felt sick twice due to the intense heat. “It’s horrible. In addition to having high blood pressure, I’m very uncomfortable and feel unwell,” she says.
Mental health
With high temperatures, the effects are not just limited to physical discomfort, they also have a direct impact on the mental health of the population. According to SES-DF clinician Luan Diego Marques, prolonged exposure to these intense weather conditions can trigger a series of psychological problems.
“Dehydration, for example, can lead to cognitive problems, such as difficulty concentrating and making decisions.” Furthermore, the doctor points out that cases of thermal and hormonal stress, sleep disturbance, social isolation, anguish and anxiety may occur.
Protection and well-being
- To maintain health care during the period of intense heat, the Ministry of Health gives a series of valuable tips:
- Constant hydration: increase your intake of water or natural fruit juices, without added sugar, even if you are not thirsty;
- Sun protection: use sunscreen 30 minutes before exposing yourself to the sun, reapplying it every two hours of exposure. This includes protecting areas such as hands, ears, neck and feet;
- Essential accessories: use hats and sunglasses to protect your skin and eyes from the sun;
- Light eating: opt for light, lightly seasoned and more frequent meals to facilitate digestion.
- Solidarity: regularly inform yourself about the health status of people living alone, elderly or dependent, who are nearby, and help them protect themselves from the heat;
- Appropriate clothing: choose light clothing that does not retain too much heat;
- Humid environments: keep indoor environments humid with air humidifiers, wet towels or buckets of water;
- Moderate bathing: during heat peaks, take baths with slightly warm water to avoid sudden changes in temperature;
- Medication storage: make sure that medications are kept below 25ºC in the refrigerator, following the storage instructions on the packaging;
- Ventilation in vehicles: in cars without air conditioning, keep the windows open to facilitate air circulation.
The post Health warns of high temperatures and low humidity appeared first in Jornal de Brasília.
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