As summer approaches, the scorching heat poses health risks to people, especially those who work outdoors, the elderly and young children.

A doctor giving a medical checkup to a pediatric patient at the Da Nang Maternity and Paediatrics Hospital. Photo: PHAN CHUNG

In recent days, the Geriatric Department of the Da Nang C Hospital has continuously received a large number of elderly patients.

Patient T.V.D, 73, a resident of Thac Gian Ward, Thanh Khe District, has been taken to hospital C Da Nang by his family members for emergency treatment. He has been then transferred to the Geriatric Department for treatment because of high blood pressure with the background disease of a stroke.

A relative of patient D. said that the patient has suffered a stroke for more than 5 years at a mild level, but he has still walked and lived normally.

However, in recent days, the patient's health has shown signs of decline as blood pressure changes continuously, and he usually suffers from shortness of breath and difficulty walking.

Doctors diagnosed that the patient's health was affected by the hot weather, affecting the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

Similarly, in the next hospital bed, a 69-year-old patient residing in Ngu Hanh Son District has been hospitalised since the beginning of the week because of fever and a persistent cough. He has been diagnosed with acute pneumonia caused by weather.

According to Doctor Cao Chi Hieu, Head of the Geriatric Department of the Da Nang C Hospital, elderly people are also vulnerable to the weather changes. They are susceptible to respiratory, cerebrovascular, digestive, skin and mucous membrane, and allergic diseases.

Notably, digestive, respiratory and coronary artery diseases are very dangerous, patients are easily aggravated, vulnerable on the background of existing diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to be vigilant and proactively identify diseases to take appropriate prevention and avoidance measures, Dr. Hieu added.

Some habits that make elderly patients susceptible to pain in this hot weather are being afraid to drink water due to difficulties and disadvantages in urination, inappropriate diet, sudden changes in living temperature due to improper use of fan and air conditioning equipment and improper exercise regime.

“In order to ensure health, first of all, the elderly must apply a reasonable diet, eat well cooked food and drink boiled water. They should maintain a suitable living temperature environment, if it changes, it must be slowly, not suddenly to avoid heat shock. In addition, the exercise regimen should also be maintained, on the basis of exercises suitable to the health situation, without heavy or overexertion" Dr. Hieu advised.

Aside from the elderly, young children are also vulnerable to the hot weather. Many of them have had to be admitted to hospitals due to respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases indirectly caused by the heat.

In recent days, the General Examination - Emergency Department of the Da Nang Maternity and Paediatrics Hospital has provided medical examinations and treatment for 1,100-1,300 pediatric patients.

According to Dr. Le Van Dung, Deputy Head of the General Examination – Emergency Department, hot and sunny weather is a favourable condition for agents such as fungi, viruses, bacteria to break out and cause disease. Children are a vulnerable group due to their weak resistance. Children are prone to respiratory, digestive, food poisoning, and allergies.

Mr Dung, therefore, advised that parents should ensure good personal hygiene and nutritional meals for their children, as well as make sure that they drink enough water and avoid excessive exposure to direct sunlight between 10.00am and 3.00pm each day.

Also, he recommended the public storing food properly, cooking food well, drinking boiled water, and using food with clear origins in order to avoid food poisoning.

Reporting by PHAN CHUNG - Translating by M.DUNG