Please Attention!!

Click here to access Circular No. 2007/52 on Extreme Heat.

Extreme heat brings with it various health problems. Due to the increase in temperature and humidity, body temperature rises, and the metabolism tries to adapt to this new situation. Normally, sweating is the way to maintain body temperature. However, in extreme heat, sweating alone cannot regulate body temperature. For the elderly, infants, and those with chronic illnesses, maintaining body temperature through sweating may not always be possible. Furthermore, if the humidity in the environment is high, body temperature may not be sufficiently reduced through sweating. Other factors that affect sweating in hot weather include obesity, high fever due to any illness, excessive fluid loss (dehydration), heart disease, mental and neurological disorders, alcohol and drug use, and the use of certain medications (blood pressure lowerers, diuretics, etc.). In such cases, increased body temperature can lead to damage to the brain and other vital organs.

The groups most affected by extreme heat are:

Elderly people aged 65 and over living alone,
Children under four years old,
People requiring care,
Pregnant women,
Workers working outdoors,
Overweight people,
Those with chronic illnesses (diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, psychological illnesses, chronic respiratory diseases, liver diseases, and kidney diseases),
People taking regular medications (especially antihypertensives, diuretics, antidepressants, and sleeping pills),
Street children, and the homeless.
Elderly people with chronic illnesses who live alone are particularly at risk.

Nutrition and Fluid Intake

Even if you don't feel thirsty, you should drink at least 2-2.5 liters (12-14 glasses) of fluids every day.

• Breakfast should include low-fat cheeses, olives and fresh vegetables, and instead of caffeinated drinks, milk, fruit juice and herbal teas such as linden and rosehip should be preferred.

• Fatty foods and fried foods should be avoided; vegetable oils should be used in cooking. When cooking, healthy cooking methods such as boiling, grilling, and braising or simmering should be used instead of frying or roasting.

• Plenty of vegetables and fruits should be consumed to increase body resistance and ensure that the body receives adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals.

• To prevent increased fluid and mineral loss due to sweating, more fluids should be consumed than usual.

• While drinking water is essential for fluid intake, non-water beverages like milk, ayran, and fruit juice should be preferred over coffee, tea, and soda. If your doctor has prescribed fluid restrictions or you are taking diuretic medications, consult your doctor.

• Very cold and icy drinks should not be preferred as they may cause stomach cramps.

• Beverages containing caffeine, alcohol and high amounts of sugar should not be consumed as they cause further fluid loss from the body.

• Food sold outside and in the open should be avoided, foods that are at risk of spoiling quickly (meat, eggs, milk, fish, etc.) should not be kept out in the open, and hygiene rules should be taken into account during the preparation and cooking stages of food.

Body temperature can rise above 40-41°C within 10-15 minutes. If sunstroke or heatstroke is not treated immediately, it can cause permanent damage or death. The chance of recovery is quite high if treatment is initiated before loss of consciousness. The person's temperature is above 39.4°C, the skin is dry, red, and hot, there is no sweating, nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, prominent eye sockets, impaired vision, and confusion or loss of consciousness, which can progress to coma.

In first aid, the person should be immediately taken to a cool, well-ventilated area, loosened from tight clothing, and attempts should be made to cool them with cold water or coolers (fans, air conditioners, etc.). If unconscious, do not give them liquids to drink and they should be taken to the nearest healthcare facility. If necessary, open the airway and perform artificial respiration.

Sunstroke or Heatstroke: This condition is characterized by the inability to lower body temperature due to the disruption of the sweating mechanism that regulates body temperature due to exposure to extreme heat.

Body temperature can rise above 40-41°C within 10-15 minutes. If sunstroke or heatstroke is not treated immediately, it can cause permanent damage or death. The chance of recovery is quite high if treatment is initiated before loss of consciousness. The person's temperature is above 39.4°C, the skin is dry, red, and hot, there is no sweating, nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, prominent eye sockets, blurred vision, and confusion or loss of consciousness, which can progress to coma.

In first aid, the person should be immediately taken to a cool, well-ventilated area, loosened from tight clothing, and attempted cooling with cold water or coolers (fans, air conditioners, etc.). If unconscious, do not give them liquids to drink. They should be taken to the nearest healthcare facility. If necessary, open the airway and perform artificial respiration.

Heat Exhaustion and Heat Cramps

Heat Exhaustion: This occurs due to dehydration and mineral loss due to prolonged exposure to extreme heat and inadequate fluid intake. It is more common in the elderly, those with high blood pressure, and those working in the sun. It manifests with symptoms such as excessive sweating, fatigue, weakness, fainting, rapid pulse, and fever. The skin is cold and clammy, the pulse is rapid and weak, breathing is rapid and shallow, and consciousness is clear. It is a milder form of sunstroke and is not life-threatening.

If first aid is administered appropriately and promptly, the patient's general condition improves rapidly. After resting in a cool place, loosen their clothing, lie on their back, and elevate their legs. A wet towel or cloth is used to cool them. They are given plenty of fluids, especially salty ayran. If the person's general condition does not improve within approximately one hour, they should immediately seek medical attention.

Heat cramps: Excessive activity causes rapid water and mineral loss in the body due to sweating. Low mineral levels can cause muscle heat cramps. Heat cramps are also a symptom of heat exhaustion. They typically occur with painful spasms in the abdominal, leg, and arm muscles during physical activity. Medical treatment is not necessary for heat cramps. The person should stop the activity, sit in a quiet, cool area, and drink fruit juice or mineral drinks. Physical activity should be avoided for at least a few hours after the cramp occurs. If it does not subside within an hour, the nearest healthcare provider should be consulted.

"Sunburns and Heat Rash (Heat Rash)"

Sunburns: Sunburns should be avoided because they can damage the skin. They occur from prolonged exposure to sunlight. The skin becomes red, painful, and extremely hot. If the affected person has a fever, blisters (blisters), severe pain, or is under one year old, they should be consulted at the nearest healthcare facility. To protect against sunburn, avoid exposure to sunlight, wipe sunburned areas with cold water, and apply moisturizing medicated lotion to the affected areas. Substances such as oil, tomato paste, yogurt, toothpaste, etc. should never be applied, and blisters should not be popped.

Heat Rash (Heat Rash): This is an irritation of the skin due to excessive sweating in hot and humid weather. It can occur at any age, but is most common in infants. It presents as small red rashes. It is most often seen in the creases of the neck, chest, and inner elbows. Reddened areas should be kept dry and provided with a cooler, less humid environment.

Late-Term Effects of the Sun: Sunlight has significant positive effects on health. Prolonged exposure can also cause negative effects. These include premature skin aging, the development of eye cataracts, skin cancer, and the appearance of sunspots.

The effect of relative humidity on perceived temperature is shown in the table below: