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Dealing with hot weather

Summer is just around the corner and temperatures are rising. Time to enjoy summer at home. But, how can you best do this without developing symptoms? Because your body can get too hot or even dehydrate if you don't adjust to hot temperatures.

Here’s what you can do when it gets hot

1.

Drop by or give us a call

Give vulnerable people – such as the elderly, those with a chronic illness and young children – a call or pop round to see them, and ask how they’re getting on.
2.

Make sure you drink enough

Drink 2 litres of water or more a day. Encourage others to drink water, tea or other drinks regularly, even if they aren’t thirsty.
3.

Keep the house cool

Use sun blinds, keep windows closed during the hottest part of the day, and open them for ventilation when it cools down.
4.

Keep the body cool

Seek out the shade, wear light, breathable clothing and plan your activities for the morning or evening wherever possible. Have a cool foot bath or place a wet towel around your neck.
5.

Be on the lookout for overheating

Watch out for symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, tiredness or extreme thirst. Take these symptoms seriously.
6.

Please take care when taking medication

Some medicines may work differently in hot weather. If necessary, ask your pharmacist for advice.

Heat-related complaints

When it’s very hot, your body may struggle to cool down sufficiently. You may then experience symptoms such as:

  • Excessive sweating
  • Fatigue
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Skin problems, such as a burning sensation, itching or a rash with blisters.

Do you have one or more of these symptoms? If so, find somewhere cool, drink plenty of water and avoid strenuous activity. If the symptoms persist or get worse, you may be suffering from sunstroke or heatstroke.

Learn more about dehydration

Sunstroke and heatstroke

Sunstroke is usually caused by your head and neck being exposed to the sun for too long. This causes the meninges to become irritated by the heat. You may experience headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, tiredness and red, warm skin. Resting in a cool place, cooling down and drinking plenty of fluids often help to alleviate the symptoms.

Heatstroke is a severe form of overheating. In the event of heatstroke, the body is no longer able to dissipate heat and the brain’s temperature regulation system can be disrupted. Body temperature often rises above 40 degrees. You may become confused, lose consciousness, develop a rapid heartbeat or start having convulsions. Sometimes the body even stops sweating. Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Call 112 immediately if you suspect someone is suffering from heatstroke.

Recognise a sunstrokeRecognising heatstroke

Taking medication in hot weather

On hot days, your body has to work harder to get rid of heat. It does this mainly by sweating. As a result, you lose more fluid than usual. It is therefore important to drink enough, so that your body can continue to cool down properly and keep functioning well. Some people find it harder to maintain their body temperature. They are also at greater risk of dehydration. You should therefore take extra care if you:

  • are aged 70 or over;
  • have reduced kidney function;
  • have heart failure;
  • are taking certain medicines, such as diuretics, medicines for high blood pressure or some medicines for diabetes.

Prevent dehydration by drinking plenty of water, tea or coffee throughout the day. In hot weather, try to drink at least 2 litres of fluid a day, unless your doctor has advised otherwise. Do you have heart failure? If so, speak to your doctor about how much extra you can drink in hot weather.

Are you taking one or more of these medicines and experiencing symptoms that suggest dehydration, such as excessive thirst, dizziness, reduced urine output or dark-coloured urine? Or are you experiencing prolonged heat? If so, please contact your GP or pharmacist. Together, you can assess whether it is necessary to temporarily adjust your medication.

Note: Never stop taking your medication on your own, and do not adjust the dose yourself. Always consult your GP, specialist or pharmacist first.

Read the leaflet 'Sometimes you may need to skip a dose of your medication'