Heat has been continuing. Watch out for heatstroke!

Watch out for heatstroke!

Make sure to avoid heatstroke from May to September

Heatstroke is the condition where your body temperature rises, causing a water-salt imbalance in your body and/or malfunction of temperature regulation, which results in several symptoms, such as dizziness, spasms, and headaches. Emergency transport to hospital due to heatstroke starts occurring when the highest temperature reaches 30 degrees Celsius and over and increases rapidly on extremely hot days with the highest temperature of 35 and above. In Japan, the number of people suffering from heatstroke usually increases during daytime in July and August when the highest temperature increases. However, it is a different pattern this year. While still in May, some people began to suffer from heatstroke. This is because some days were extremely hot for May, which never happened during recent years. If the temperature rises rapidly when our body is not used to the heat yet, the chance of getting heatstroke increases. Take it easy and let your body get used to the heat gradually.

Conditions and places where you are prone to get heatstroke

The following conditions and places pose a higher risk of heatstroke:

・A day with a high temperature

・A day with a high humidity

・A day with strong sunlight

・The day after a sweltering night

・A day with no or weak wind

・A place with a strong reflection of light

・A place with something hot nearby

・A day with a temperature spike

How to prevent heatstroke

(1) Sleep well

(2) Drink plenty of fluids even if you are not thirsty

(3) Take a rest frequently

Sport drinks and beverages with salt and sugar help smooth fluid absorption as well as supplying salt, which was excreted with sweat. Make sure to always bring a drink with you. If you feel tired, take an adequate rest and take care of yourself. It is also effective to use items which help cool down your body.

If heatstroke is suspected

If a person experiences dizziness, eczema, muscle pain, heavy sweating, headache, nausea, fatigue, and/or impairment of consciousness, you should suspect heatstroke. Here is how to manage the situation:

When a person is conscious:

(1) Move to a cool place quickly, loosen clothes, and cool down the body.

(2) Drink fluids.

(3) Keep quiet, take a rest, and wait for recovery.

If the symptoms are not relieved, please visit a medical facility.

If a person is unconscious:

(1) Quickly call an ambulance.

(2) While waiting for an ambulance to arrive, move the person to a cool place and cool down the body using water and wet towels. Do not try to make the person drink water when he/she is unconscious.

(3) Get medical attention at a medical facility.

Please refer to “Guide for Ambulance Services” (by Fire and Disaster Management Agency) for foreign visitors.

https://www.fdma.go.jp/publication/portal/post1.html

“Guide for Ambulance Services (pamphlet)” is available in English, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), Korean, Italian, French, and Thai.

Watch out for heatstroke, and have a great trip!