High temperatures are expected this summer as well, and it is likely to get hot.
The hot summer is coming again.
But summer is still a
long way off ... Some people may think so.
However, in order to prevent heat stroke, there are important things that can be done from this time before it gets really hot.
Do you know that it is "heat acclimatization"
?
■ What is "heat acclimatization"?
According to Yasufumi Miyake, director of the Advanced Critical Care Center of Teikyo University Hospital, who is familiar with the mechanism of heat stroke, when the body temperature rises, the human body expands skin blood vessels to increase blood flow and release heat from the surface of the body, as well as sweat. It lowers the body temperature by the heat of vaporization.
However, these abilities are not the same all year round, and gradually increase as you get used to the heat over a period of two weeks.
This is called "heat acclimatization."
■ If "heat acclimatization" is not done ... High risk of heat stroke
Especially when the temperature rises suddenly, it is difficult for heat to escape because "heat acclimatization" has not yet been completed, and it is said that the risk of heat stroke due to poor sweating increases.
According to the director of Miyake Center, ▽ People who work outside or children who play sports are more likely to
suffer
from heat stroke on the day when it gets hot suddenly or the next day because the body heats up due to exercise.
However, the temperature begins to rise, and the onset of elderly people who have few opportunities to go out and people with chronic illnesses begins to stand out.
■ Training to enhance the function of firefighters "heat acclimatization" Chiba
In Chiba city, we have been training from this time every year to improve the function of "heat acclimatization" of firefighters who have to work with heavy equipment even in the middle of summer, and we had them demonstrate at the Hanamigawa fire department in Chiba city on the 18th. rice field.
Training 1. Fireproof clothing Helmet Gloves Running
Firefighters first run on the premises with fireproof clothing, helmets, and gloves on.
Training 2. Cylinder carrying up and down stairs with a total weight of 20 kg
This alone weighs about 10 kg, but after hydration, it will carry a cylinder to put more load on it.
The total weight of the equipment was 20 kg, and in this state, I climbed up and down the stairs of the 6-story training building at full speed.
After a couple of round trips, the members were dripping with sweat.
The Chiba City Fire Department has been incorporating this training into the city's fire department for four years because some members suffer from heat stroke during midsummer activities.
The training is about one hour each time and is continued at least once a week until midsummer.
The members who participated in the training said, "In midsummer fire extinguishing activities, the heat of the flames can cause headaches. The training is as hot as exercising while wearing clothes in the sauna." I'm tired. I want to get my body accustomed to the heat. "
Nobu Nakamura, chief of the Hanamigawa Fire Department, said, "I would like to incorporate" heat acclimatization "training so that I can work in harsh environments so that I can withstand midsummer activities."
Of course, this is training for firefighters, so the general public should do so within a reasonable range.
■ "Heat acclimatization" What do you do?
This is the third summer of corona, but it is said that conscious "heat acclimatization" is important because it is greatly affected by not going out.
So what exactly should I do?
1. Director Miyake “Sweating while taking a walk / bath”
According to Miyake Center Director, on days when the temperature begins to rise and it feels a little hot,
▽
I take a walk outside for about 30 minutes
▽ I take a bath in hot water about twice a week at home.
If you sweat one by one, "heat acclimatization" will progress.
2. Points of "heat acclimatization" compiled by the Japan Weather Association
In addition, the Japan Weather Association has published a website under the supervision of experts to summarize the points of "heat acclimatization" in detail in order to reduce the number of people suffering from heat stroke.
<Outdoor> Walking 30 minutes, jogging 15 minutes, cycling
▽ It is important to sweat a little while being conscious of walking one station away from the outdoors and using the stairs as much as possible.
As a guide, walking is 30 minutes and jogging is 15 minutes.
The frequency is preferably about 5 days a week.
It is easy to incorporate cycling when commuting or shopping, and it is desirable to take 30 minutes as a guideline about 3 times a week.
<Indoor> Sweat by stretching / bathing
▽ If you are indoors, it is desirable to stretch for about 30 minutes a day, 5 times a week to every day.
Be careful about the temperature in the room.
I also consciously sweat once every two days in the bathtub.
All the numbers are just a guide, and I would like you to replenish the water and salt within a reasonable range according to the physical condition and temperature of the day.
■ "Heat acclimatization" When do you start?
In addition, we have calculated our own "heat acclimatization front" based on meteorological data and past heat stroke data so that we can use it as a guide for when to start heat acclimatization in each region.
According to the announcement on the 6th of this month,
▽ Okinawa has already entered the start time of mid-April
▽ Kyushu will be in late April, and soon
▽ Osaka will be in early May
▽ Tokyo will be in mid-May.
The Japan Weather Association has decided to update the heat acclimatization front again by summer while looking at the meteorological data. "It takes several days to two weeks to acclimatize to heat, so please refer to the information and work on it as soon as possible." I am calling.
Also, if you keep away from the heat for a few days, the effect will weaken, so I would like you to be aware of this point as well.
■ Expert "Prepare to sweat before the temperature rises"
According to the forecast by the Japan Meteorological Agency, warm air is likely to flow nationwide this week, and the temperature is expected to rise considerably in the second half.
Director Miyake said, "Recently, the number of days that become summer days is increasing even in April, and on those days the body has not been acclimatized yet, so it is not too difficult during hot days, before the temperature rises and on cool days. I think it is safe to move outside and sweat to prepare for it. "