22/05/2025
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22/05/2025
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KUWAIT CITY, May 22: The Ministry of Health has warned about the effects of rising temperatures on one’s health, like heat stress, sunstroke, and others that require intensified public awareness efforts to prevent health risks associated with certain climatic conditions. In a press statement, the ministry pointed out that the remarkable increase in temperatures that the country is witnessing these days calls for individual and societal vigilance, scientifically based preparedness, and well-thought-out preventative measures to ensure public safety, especially for those most vulnerable to the effects of hot weather. It explained that heat stress is one of the most common health effects associated with rising temperatures, indicating the condition manifests as general fatigue and dizziness resulting from the loss of fluids and salts. The ministry said heatstroke is also an emergency condition resulting from a sharp rise in body temperature, which can lead to loss of consciousness.
Dehydration, which occurs when fluids are depleted, can also cause headaches, fatigue, and dry mouth, it added. It clarified that heat can contribute to a sudden drop in blood pressure, especially in the elderly and the sick, as well as electrolyte imbalances, which disrupt the balance of sodium and potassium, affecting muscle and nerve function. It stated that some people experiencing fatigue and lethargy these days could be a direct effect of extreme heat, dehydration, and imbalance in vital body functions.
It added that these symptoms are not the result of laziness, as is commonly believed, because these are physiological indicators of a decrease in blood volume flowing to the organs due to fluid loss through excessive sweating. “This leads to decreased perfusion of the muscles and brain, causing feelings of weakness and mental and physical fatigue. These conditions can be avoided with proper prevention and attention to hydration and replenishing lost fluids and salts,” the ministry advised. It urged adults to drink adequate amounts of water -- around 2.5 to three liters per day, even if they are not thirsty, to compensate for the constant loss of fluids. It also recommends avoiding direct exposure to the sun during peak hours -- from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm -- when temperatures are highest and the risk of heatstroke is high as well.
It underscored the importance of wearing light-colored cotton clothing, which helps absorb sweat and reduces heat retention, in addition to using hats or umbrellas when outdoors. It emphasized the importance of avoiding stimulating beverages such as coffee, tea and soft drinks, as they are diuretics and contribute to increased fluid loss; as well as reducing the intake of salty foods, which can disrupt the body’s fluid and salt balance. It went on to say that walking in the evening is a healthy way to gradually acclimate the body to hot weather without exposing it to the risks of peak temperatures, while it is necessary to postpone strenuous exercise until the early morning hours or after sunset.
It highlighted the importance of promoting professional responsibility in the workplace, especially in the field, which requires adherence to preventative measures that ensure worker safety during heat waves; hence, the need to regulate working hours to avoid peak heat periods, providing adequate rest periods in shaded or air-conditioned areas, and ensuring the continuous availability of cold drinking water. It pointed out that this embodies a safe and healthy work environment and reflects a human commitment befitting the worker and his efforts. “The workers are partners in the construction process, and appreciation for their efforts is not limited to wages.
Rather, it manifests itself in the form of care befitting their humanity and reflecting ethical values in the work environment,” the ministry asserted.
By Marwa Al-Bahrawi
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff
