Reference; 2022-07-27; https://mbp-japan.com/jijico/articles/32295/
Translated and modified by CFJA
Heat stroke prevention is required in hot summers. Does lack of exercise induce heat stroke?
When the weather is cool and suddenly it gets hotter your body is not yet acclimated to the heat and your body has to work harder to regulate your body temperature Which is why many people have started using air conditioners to help regulate their temperature to avoid heat stroke. Air conditioners are good for temporarily preventing a rise in body temperature, but the problem lies in when there is a large difference between the outside temperature and the inside temperature it causes fatigue as people are constantly changing temperature indoor and outdoor. In addition, when a person has been using an air conditioner day after day during hot weather and continues to use the air conditioner when the weather cools down, as well as eating and drinking cold food frequently, the person’s immune system will decline.
People at high risk of heat stroke
- People with low body water content such as those who sweat profusely and the elderly who are less likely to notice that they are sweating.
- People with reduced muscle mass such as the elderly who are less active and young people with low muscle mass. Also included are adults who are coronary and inactive. Because muscles store water, people with reduced muscle mass are more prone to dehydration. It is also important to note that those people who now work from home need to ensure they exercise moderately everyday in order to prevent muscle mass loss.
Is it necessary to carefully use air conditioners at bedtime? What is the ideal temperature setting?
Many people find it difficult to sleep at night in the hot summer because of the heat. Living in an air conditioner every day reduces the body’s ability to regulate temperature, so people in environments where it is not possible to sleep with the windows open will not feel comfortable without using an air conditioner to go to bed. Based on our clinical experience, we believe that people who are living and working in spaces with air conditioning all the time are more likely to get sick.
In particular, those who use the air conditioner all night at bedtime tend to
- 31°C-28°C; No discomfort
- 27°C-26°C; Feel unwell
- 25°C-24°C; Feel pain in various joints, such as back pain
- 23℃-22℃; Feel internal organ discomfort
- Below 21°C; Be prone to infection
The specific temperature settings make a difference to your physical condition, so we would like you to refer to the above. When air conditioners are used, the body produces heat to maintain body temperature during sleep, so the temperature deep inside the body becomes higher. Therefore, you will wake up feeling hot. When you wake up in the middle of the night, you are more likely to feel hot flashes in your body. Using a fan is effective in reducing hot flashes. The body temperature will drop immediately, making it easier to fall asleep. If you sleep in an environment where you cannot open the windows, it is also effective to use a circulator to create an environment where a gentle breeze enters your bedroom. You would need to consider your living situation to determine which is best.
Can heat stroke occur even in an air-conditioned room? What is the first thing to do when symptoms of heat stroke appear?
If you are constantly inside an air-conditioned room, you tend to lack hydration because you do not feel thirst as often, and you may suffer from heat stroke even if the room is air-conditioned.
Symptoms of heat stroke include
- Degree I: Dizziness, fainting, muscle pain, muscle stiffness, profuse sweating.
Heat stroke should be suspected if your feet cramp, or if you feel lightheaded.
- Degree II: Headache, discomfort, nausea, vomiting, malaise, collapse.
If you feel the body becomes limp or weak, be careful.
- Degree III: impaired consciousness, convulsions, impaired limbs movement, high body temperature.
If the person shows signs such as abnormal response to calls or stimuli, jerking or twitching of the body, or inability to run or walk straight, it is necessary to take him or her to an emergency medical centre.
If the condition is degree III, it is difficult for the patient to move on his or her own and an ambulance should be called immediately. If the patient is in the degree Ⅱ, he or she can move on his or her own, but if he or she feels that his or her condition is worsening, it is advisable to call 911. If you are outdoors and absorbed in work or sports, you may not be aware of your condition and your deep body temperature may be elevated, causing dehydration. If you are in a state of heat stroke, you need to take immediate steps to rehydrate and lower your body temperature. Water is not immediately absorbed by the body. Oral rehydration solutions are absorbed relatively quickly by the body and should be prepared in case of emergency. To lower the body temperature quickly, it is a good idea to temporarily immerse the hands and feet in cold water. First, simply running your hands under the tap water for a few minutes will prevent your body temperature from rising. If possible, cool the forehead and back of the head. Cooling the armpits and the groin regions is also helpful. If symptoms persist, a visit to a specialist is necessary.