The month of August is characterized by a strong heat and a dry climate, as well as sudden changes in temperature, which put your health at risk.
The strong heat and low humidity recorded since the beginning of the week in most of the country should remain constant throughout the week. Projections from the National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet) indicate that relative humidity rates are expected to hover between 20% and 30% in cities in the Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast regions.
In São Paulo, the dry weather was even more punishing. According to Climatempo, in some places the relative humidity of the air varies from 10% to 15%. This percentage is well below the 20% considered by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a state of alert.
Furthermore, the temperature should fluctuate a lot in the coming days in the capital of São Paulo: from 33ºC on Wednesday to 13ºC on Saturday (26). The sudden changes in temperature and the low humidity of the air draw attention to health care, especially respiratory care.
Health care period
“With the reduction of humidity, the ocular, oral and nasal membranes can become dehydrated, facilitating the influence of external elements, such as microorganisms and germs, or even pollutants resulting from fires and burns. Some of the main diseases that can occur in this situation are: rhinitis, sinusitis, pneumonia and asthma”, comments the coordinator of the Nursing course at the Faculdade Anhanguera, Cláudia EF Bis Furlan.
According to the nurse, the concern is greater for children and the elderly. Due to the fragility of the organism, there is an increased possibility of complications and deterioration of the state of health. Therefore, it is necessary to double the treatments and, in the event of feeling unwell or short of breath, go to a professional at the health unit closest to your residence.
According to Dr. Cristiane Passos Dias Levy, otolaryngologist at the Paulista Hospital and specialist in respiratory allergies, cold, pollution and some bad habits are factors that make us even more vulnerable.
“Lack of hydration, indiscriminate use of nasal decongestants, smoking and even exercising, depending on the time and place, are aggravating aspects that can never be ignored,” he says.
How to take care of your health during the hot and dry season
Cláudia explains that, on very hot days, it is important to drink more water, ensure hydration, wear light clothes and maintain a balanced and light diet, during the hottest moments of the day.
It also emphasizes that hydration means, in addition to the volume of water to be ingested, also the frequency of intake. “In other words, always drink some water to avoid thirst. It is essential to increase the consumption of liquids, and another suggestion is to cleanse the nostrils with saline and preserve the hydration of the skin through the use of moisturizing lotions,” she advises.
“The ideal is to drink, on average, eight glasses of water during the day, mainly in between physical exercises or when using the voice with great intensity, as in the case of teachers, conductors and other professionals who depend on oral communication”, underlines Dr. Cristiane.
Tips for coping with periods
Experts give some advice to better face the heat and drought. Watch:
- Drink plenty of water to keep the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract hydrated. The ideal is to drink eight glasses throughout the day (1.6 litres). Also drink natural juice and coconut water;
- Prepare light meals with vegetables, greens, consume fruit between meals;
- Avoid nasal decongestants, especially without medical advice. This is because they dry out the nasal mucosa and increase irritation;
- Avoid smoking, as cigarette smoke causes allergic reactions, as well as irritation of the mucous membranes;
- The physiological serum helps in the hydration of the airways. Then drip a few drops into your nose to improve breathing;
- Choose times with milder temperatures (early morning or late afternoon) to carry out your physical activities;
- Always keep the house airy and pay particular attention to cleaning objects that could accumulate dust due to mites;
- Avoid gatherings and prolonged stay in closed or air-conditioned environments, since the dryness of the mucous membranes increases the risk of opportunistic coexistence of the airways;
- To raise the humidity level indoors, use wet towels, water containers or vaporizers, especially in bedrooms.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
