Heatwave raises health concerns for vulnerable groups

Morocco’s National Association of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology has issued a set of recommendations for older people during the current period of extreme heat, noting that this group is “at significant risk of dehydration or fluid deficiency.”

This group is required to “drink water regularly and frequently, even when not feeling thirsty, particularly as their sense of thirst may be diminished, which increases the severity of the risk.”

The association, in a statement containing a set of recommendations, emphasised the need to “increase fluid consumption with variety, including plain or flavored water, milk, tea, fruit juices, and fresh fruit.” It also advised against leaving the house unless necessary and should preferably do so in the late afternoon.

The association called for “ventilating rooms, opening windows fully, closing the curtains during the day to prevent heat access, and using cooling devices if possible.” It also recommended “using water sprays or wet towels to cool the body,” as well as “consulting doctors when experiencing fatigue, diarrhoea, fever, or any unusual symptoms.”

Doctor and researcher in health policies and systems Tayeb Hamdi warned against underestimating rising temperatures at the end of spring and before summer.” He explained that “the body relies on evaporative cooling to maintain thermal balance at 37°C.”

Speaking to Hespress, Hamdi emphasized that “failure to replace these losses leads to dehydration,” warning of its dangers, particularly during extended heatwaves lasting several consecutive days. “The first victims are outdoor workers and the elderly, due to the physiological decline in the brain’s thirst mechanism, as well as children and infants, given their small body size and fast fluid loss.”

Regarding symptoms, the expert said they include “dry mouth and tongue, low blood pressure, headaches, and a significant decrease in urine volume with dark color.” He noted that complications can escalate without adequate fluid and salt replacement to more serious conditions, such as acute kidney failure, urging prevention through “drinking water regularly at a rate of two to three liters a day without waiting to feel thirsty.”

Hamdi advised avoiding going out or engaging in physical effort during peak sun hours, between 11 am and 4 pm, and wearing protective hats that cover the neck and forehead.”

He also warned of the risks of “heatstroke,” which is widespread during this period, describing it as “an absolute medical emergency that threatens life.” He added.

“A sudden and severe failure occurs in the brain’s thermoregulatory center, which causes cooling mechanisms, such as sweating, and raising the internal body temperature rapidly to exceed 40–41°C.” This disorder is immediate; it takes only a few hours of direct exposure to intense sunlight without head protection.”

Symptoms, according to the same spokesperson, include “hyperthermia exceeding 40°C, very hot and completely dry skin with no sweating, severe neurological and behavioral disturbances including complete loss of consciousness.” He emphasized that “in such cases, temperature must be lowered immediately by any means: seeking shade, spraying cold water, or applying cold compresses.”

He further added that “if the person is fully conscious, water can be given to them; however, if they are semi-conscious or unconscious, it is forbidden to put fluids in their mouth to avoid the risk of choking, and they must be hospitalized immediately,” he added, also warning of the associated risks of heatstroke or sunburn when “ultraviolet rays penetrate the superficial and middle layers of the skin, causing cell damage.”