Temperatures in Glasgow across Scotland continued to soar on Tuesday amid the UK-wide heatwave.
Amber weather warnings are in effect in areas that neighbour Glasgow such as South Lanarkshire, as well as Edinburgh, while down south red warnings are in place. Temperatures in Glasgow are set to peak at 29 degrees on Tuesday.
With the weather turning suddenly and uncharacteristically hot, it is important to be aware of the dangers of heatstroke. In many cases, the symptoms of heat exhaustion may not appear until serious medical attention is required.
According to the NHS, the signs of heat exhaustion include; headache, dizziness and confusion, loss of appetite, feeling sick, excessive sweating, pale, clammy skin, cramps in the arms, legs and stomach, fast breathing or pulse, a high temperature of 38C or above, and being very thirsty.
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So long as you can cool down within 30 minutes, heat exhaustion is not normally serious. However, if it turns into heatstroke, emergency medical attention is required.
In order to help people stay cool and avoid suffering from heat-related health problems, health experts from online health clinic FROM MARS have shared tips to stay cool in the hot weather.
Superintendent at FROM MARS Navin Khosla said: “A heatwave is typically registered as a prolonged period of at least three days where there is hot weather relative to the expected conditions of the time of year - and although some of the UK is not too far above average for the month of July, other areas are nearing record levels. Although the hot weather can be enjoyable for holidaymakers, and those just wanting to enjoy the sun, it can also wreak havoc on the daily lives of workers, industries, and the general public.”
"It is vital to maintain your hydration levels, aiming to drink around 20 per cent more than your usual intake of water. Try to avoid caffeinated and sugary drinks such as tea, coffee and alcohol as these can increase dehydration.
"It is also advised to avoid direct sunlight where possible, making sure you are reapplying suncream and covering up with lightweight, loose clothing to reduce chances of sunburn and heat exhaustion.”
Navin added: “Food poisoning can be a common occurrence during heat waves because of the effects a rise in temperature can have on food items. Bacteria thrive in hot and humid conditions which can lead to food moulding and rotting faster than expected.
"Be sure to check your food before eating it, ensuring it is being stored in suitable conditions and out of direct sunlight.”
Here is a roundup of five things you can do to keep healthy during the heatwave;
1. Keep hydrated
It’s vital to drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially during a heatwave. Try to avoid only drinking when thirsty, you want to keep on top of your hydration levels to avoid heat exhaustion.
A way of checking if you’re hydrated enough is to look at the colour of your urine. The darker the colour and stronger the smell, the more dehydrated you are.
2. Stay cool
A good way to keep your home cool is to keep curtains and blinds closed to stop the sun from warming the rooms up. If you’re heading out for the day, it’s advised you wear a hat and find shade if staying outdoors.
Many public buildings also have air conditioning, so if the heat becomes overbearing, it can be good to know where you can go to cool down.
3. Wear light-coloured and loose-fitting clothing
The darker your clothes, the hotter you’re going to be. Darker colours absorb light and heat, so wearing lighter colours can help keep you cool by reflecting that heat, so switch out that black tee for a white one!
Loose-fitting clothes will help avoid trapping heat, allowing air to circulate.
4. Check how you’re storing your food
When the temperature rises, food decays faster. Bacteria thrive in the heat so break down food faster, aka causing our food to rot sooner than expected.
Check your food before eating and also your fridge temperature as this can be affected by the heat. Be sure to move any food out of direct sunlight and into a cool dry place.
5. Protect your skin
Make sure you apply sun cream before going out into the sun. If you have fair skin or are prone to sunburn, the higher the SPF of your sun cream should be, preferably SPF50.
Re-apply your sun cream every 2 hours to ensure no burns. If you have exposed moles or birthmarks, either ensure they’re covered or apply high SPF over them.
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