Important tips to avoid deadly sunstroke

Health experts have warned of the real dangers of heatstroke as summer temperatures rise.

The risk increases as temperatures rise above 25°C, especially if the weather is humid or hot.

Experts said some groups are particularly at risk, such as the elderly and people who are obese, because these conditions impair the body's ability to regulate its temperature.

The main risk factor is not being accustomed to high heat. 

But Professor Rob Galloway offers ways to prevent heatstroke, especially since he has treated similar life-threatening cases.

First, Galloway explained that our bodies operate in temperatures of up to 37 degrees Celsius.

Enzymes and proteins that are vital to processes such as sending nerve signals around the body begin to break down as temperatures rise above this limit.

This can have dire consequences as cells die, toxic compounds are released and organs actually begin to stop working.

To avoid this, our bodies have mechanisms to sense and regulate body temperature to around 37 degrees Celsius as much as possible. This is why we sweat when it is hot outside, as the sweat that evaporates from the skin has a cooling effect on the body.

But in some cases, these mechanisms are not effective. For example, in hot, humid conditions, the air is already full of moisture, which prevents sweat from evaporating efficiently.

When sweat does not evaporate, it cannot cool the body, causing a dangerous rise in body temperature.

The first sign of heat stroke is often confusion, because brain cells are most sensitive to changes in temperature.

Other symptoms include dizziness, nausea, headache, hot, red, dry skin, rapid pulse, and fainting.

In this regard, Galloway says that if you are planning a holiday in hot conditions, acclimatizing to the high heat is of utmost importance, so a sauna before the holiday can be used as an effective preventative strategy.

You should stay away from the sun in the summer, where temperatures reach 30 degrees Celsius, and you can go out in the evening when the weather is cooler.

In addition to sunscreen and a hat, Galloway says to wear light-colored clothing made of cotton.

It is necessary to drink much more water than usual, while avoiding coffee and alcohol because both are diuretics.

Snow jackets can be worn before outdoor exercise.

You should also avoid anti-inflammatory medications such as Voltarol and ibuprofen, as they can impair kidney function and damage the intestines, making you more susceptible to heat stroke.