With summer comes cicadas, festivals, fireworks, beach-parties but most of all; HEAT!!!

In Japan, “heatstroke” is a very real risk. In Japanese, it is called 熱中症 (Ne chu byo). Heatstroke is a serious condition, in the worst cases, it can cause brain, kidney and muscle damage and result in death.

Unfortunately, every summer Japan has many cases of elderly dying from heatstroke. Last year, I can remember of at least two cases in other prefectures in which school-students passed away from heatstroke due to club activities and dehydration.

Please seek help the moment you think you, or someone you are with, are having symptoms. You will need to call an ambulance, this number is 119.

In Japanese, you can ask for someone to call by saying 救急車を呼んでください Kyuu-kyuu-sha oh yon-de. Simply just saying ambulance is likely to sufficient also (kyuu-kyuu-sha).

To ask for help, help is Tasukete!

Symptoms include:

• Skin that is dry / the person has stopped sweating or conversely, excessive sweating.
• Headache.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Flushed/Red skin.
• High body temperature.
• Rapid breathing/ shortness of breath.
• High Heartrate/ chest pain.
• Confusion/delirium/acting out of character.
• Dizziness.
• Balance problems.
• Weakness.
• Fainting.
• Seizure.

To help before the ambulance arrives:

• Bring the person to shade or indoors with air-conidtioning.
• Remove excess clothing.
• Cool by whatever means (e.g. fan, misting water on the body, cold-packs, immersing in cold water).
• Monitor breathing and heartrate.
• Do not give medication.
• If they are strong enough to drink, try sports drinks/electrolytes.
• Lay them down.

To avoid getting heatstroke:

• Drink plenty of water and sports drinks etc.
• Avoid alcohol, sugary drinks and caffeine.
• Keep out of the sun as much as possible.
• Avoid exercising during the hottest parts of the day.
• Wear lightweight and light-coloured fabrics.
• Don’t leave people and pets in cars.

(Please remember I am not a doctor so can’t provide medical advice).

While there’s no changing the temperature outside, there are some items in Japan that can help you mitigate the temperature.

Some items that might help:

1. Personal hand-held fan.
2. UV arm sleeves.
3. UV umbrella
4. Hats and neck covers.
5. Undershirts to absorb sweat.
6. Hand towels to wipe sweat.
7. Cooling sprays and wipes.
8. Sports drinks.
9. Salt tablets.
10. Change of clothes.
11. Sunscreen and sunglasses.
12. Freezable towels and neck-rings.

I hope everyone takes care and gets to enjoy the summer!!!

And remember, the number for an ambulance is 119.