The heat caused by the heatwave compels you to cool down by any means necessary. However, not all of these reflex actions are suitable for the situation, some can be harmful to your health. Being aware of these misguided good intentions can help avoid problems. Your body will cope better with the heat, and you will be able to navigate the heatwave period cautiously. Let's focus on these actions to avoid.
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Heatwave: The Misconceptions
Summary
- Take a cold shower
- Drinking too much water
- Drinking chilled beverages
- Wait until you are thirsty
- Open the windows
- Consuming alcoholic beverages
- Sleeping near a fan
- Setting the air conditioning to its maximum
Published June 18, 2023,
updated on February 21, 2024,
by
Manon, Scientific Editor
—
4 min read
Take a cold shower.
Although this idea may seem appealing at first, it is not recommended during periods of intense heat. Indeed, a cold shower can disrupt the regulation of body temperature as the body tends to warm itself through the dilation of blood vessels, thereby producing the opposite effect to that desired.
Drinking too much water.
Drinking water to stay hydrated is crucial during periods of intense heat: it is recommended to consume between 1.5 and 2 litres of water per day. However, when this threshold is exceeded, the body tends to expel the excess water through sweating or by overworking the kidneys or bladder, which can exhaust the body. In certain cases of overhydration, there is a risk of cerebral oedema occurring, which necessitates a visit to the emergency department.
Drinking chilled beverages.
Drinking excessively cold water is a habit to be avoided. The refreshing effect is immediate, indeed, but this abrupt change in temperature leads to dehydration and stomach cramps. Your body will be forced to work overtime to maintain a temperature close to 37 °C.
Wait until you are thirsty.
If you feel the urge to drink, it's your body's way of alerting you that it's suffering from dehydration. It is recommended not to drink all at once, but rather regularly throughout the day to maintain a consistent hydration level. Symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue or headaches can be signs of dehydration. Therefore, it's important to consume water regularly throughout the day.
Open the windows.
At first glance, opening the windows to let in fresh air may seem like a good idea. However, this could potentially allow warm air to enter and not cool the room. It is advisable to half-close the shutters and ventilate at dusk.
Consuming alcoholic beverages.
Generally, alcohol is perceived as a refreshing beverage. However, this is only the case in the short term. Indeed, such drinks have a dehydrating effect on the body. It is recommended to favour water and hydrate regularly throughout the day.
Sleeping near a fan.
If you're looking to stay cool at night, it might be tempting to point the fan directly at yourself in the hope of enjoying a cool breeze all night long. However, this idea should be avoided. After a few hours, the fan's air may dry out your sinuses and throat, which can lead to discomforts such as cramps or muscle contractions. Moreover, it exposes those with allergies to more airborne impurities. In this case, it's better to direct the fan towards the lower part of your body to promote air circulation without causing any adverse effects.
Setting the air conditioning to its maximum.
While it is advisable to use an air conditioner, it is not recommended to set it to the lowest possible temperature. Ideally, you should set the thermostat to a maximum of 5 degrees below the outside temperature. However, a difference of 8 degrees between the outside and inside is still acceptable. A greater difference can weaken the body and increase the risk of falling ill or experiencing heat shock, which can range from loss of consciousness to respiratory failure.
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