Risk of many critical cases after showering right after sunbathing
Long holidays, many families choose to go to the beach. This is the time when people travel, travel, and play outdoors more, leading to the risk of heat shock, dehydration, and cardiovascular and neurological events.
One of the seemingly harmless habits that doctors warn of is bathing immediately after sunbathing. Using cold water to cool down suddenly can cause the body to fall into a state of strong reaction, causing blood pressure to spike or creating conditions for blood clots to form, thereby leading to a stroke.
According to BSCKII Nguyen Tien Dung - Deputy Director of the Stroke Center, Bach Mai Hospital, in fact, the center has recorded many cases of patients being hospitalized in critical condition after operating outdoors in the sun and then taking a bath immediately.
Extreme heat is especially dangerous for people with weak health, the elderly, people with cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes or history of stroke. In this group, the ability to adapt to temperature changes is often worse, causing the risk of accidents to increase.
Why is showering immediately after going to the sun easily dangerous?
BSCKII Nguyen Tien Dung analyzed that there are two main mechanisms that can cause the body to "fall" when the temperature changes suddenly.
The first is blood pressure spikes due to the cold shock reflex. When the body is at high temperatures, peripheral blood vessels dilate to release heat. If suddenly exposed to cold water, the sympathetic nervous system is stimulated, causing blood vessels to constrict instantly. This sudden vasoconstriction increases pressure on the blood vessel wall, which can lead to cerebral hemorrhage or cerebral infarction.
The second is blood concentration due to dehydration. In hot weather, the body loses water and electrolytes quickly through sweat. When the amount of water in the body decreases, the blood becomes thicker and circulates slower. This is a favorable condition for blood clots to form, causing cerebral blockage.
In hot weather, if a person shows abnormal signs, consider the risk of stroke and take them to a medical facility as soon as possible.
People can memorize the FAST rule:
F - Face: Distorted face, crooked mouth.
A - Arm: Weak or paralyzed one arm or leg.
S - Speech: Blurring, difficult to speak, not understanding other people's words.
T - Time: Call emergency 115 immediately. Time is a decisive factor in stroke treatment.
In addition, be wary of signs of heat shock such as body temperature above 40 degrees Celsius, hot and dry skin, confusion, disorientation or convulsions.
5 safe bathing principles in hot weather
To prevent the risk of heat shock and stroke in hot sunny days, BSCKII Nguyen Tien Dung recommends that people should not bathe immediately after going to the sun. Instead, they need to rest in a cool place for about 20-30 minutes to naturally cool down the body.
Before bathing, you should wipe your body with a damp cloth or wash your hands and feet to gradually get used to water. People also need to drink enough water, prioritizing filtered water or electrolyte water; limit alcohol and beer, coffee because it can increase dehydration.
On hot sunny days, you should limit going out from 10 am to 4 pm - a time when the temperature is usually high. People with underlying diseases need to monitor blood pressure, use medication as prescribed and do not stop treatment on their own.
BSCKII Nguyen Tien Dung emphasized that stroke does not spare anyone, including young people if they are subjective about their living habits. Therefore, everyone needs to proactively protect their health, especially during holidays and peak summer months.
