Doha: With the rise in temperatures, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has advised people to take necessary precautions to safeguard against heat-related illnesses.

While sunburn, heat exhaustion and heat stroke can occur at any time of the year, cases of heat-related illnesses are more common in Qatar during the summer months.

According to the Qatar Meteorology Department (QMD), the weather condition was hot to very hot during daytime with slight dust at times and humid by night, yesterday.

Heat-related illnesses occur when a person’s body temperature rises above normal, due to prolonged exposure to heat in soaring temperatures, particularly as a result of high humidity and strenuous physical exercise.

In a social media campaign HMC has said it’s important to avoid exposure to the sun in the noon hours, especially for children, and people with chorionic conditions such as lung, heart and obesity problems.

It has also advised to stop any strenuous activity when feeling tired, as tiredness and fatigue are the first signs of sunstroke.

The HMC said in its posts that signs of heat exhaustion to watch for include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, tiredness, muscles cramps, difficulty in breathing and a racing heart rate. If left untreated, heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke.

Chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease, poor circulation, and obesity can hinder a person’s ability to cool down, and many of these conditions are more common in older adults.

Additionally, certain medications, such as those used to treat high blood pressure, heart disease and depression can diminish an individual’s ability to respond to heat, placing older adults at an increased risk of heat-related illnesses.

To prevent sunburns and skin disease in the summer, HMC has urged people to avoid direct exposure to the sun rays, and to wear cotton clothes, apply sun screen and take plenty of water and liquids.

To prevent digestive problems during the summer, HMC has advised people to wash fresh vegetables and fruits well before eating or preparing and not to leave prepared food in room temperature for more than two hours.

While, in a statement on Twitter, Qatar Meteorology Department said, “the country is expected to witness a noticeable rise in relative humidity until the middle of this week due to a shift in wind direction to Easterly, ranging in speed from light to moderate at times.”

Due to this weather condition, chances of misty to foggy conditions are also likely to occur in some areas during late night and early morning, especially on July 6 and July 7.  QMD also urged all citizens and residents to be careful during this weather condition.

 

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