On August 10, the savings measures and energy efficiency to avoid energy waste.
Among the measures approved by the Government, is the turning off of shop windows and public buildings from 10 p.m., and controlling the temperature of the acclimatization systems of premises, establishments and public transport.
Thus, the appliances may not exceed 27 degrees in summer and the heating it should not be above 19 degrees in winter.
But, does it have any impact on our health? With several provinces on alert for high temperatures, in Andalusia, Extremadura or the Madrid Community, which will touch 40 degrees, we asked Dr. Mercedes Villarreal Garcia-LomasHead of the Internal Medicine service of the HM Torrelodones University Hospital.
What impact does the use of air conditioning or heating have on our health?
Air conditioning units and heating systems are very useful to us in our daily life, because they help us to regulate the temperature and to mitigate the effects of heat or cold, avoiding the problems derived from both conditions, but they also carry risks for our health.
Air conditioning can cause mild conditions such as pharyngitis, laryngitis or rhinitis due to the irritating effect of cold air on the upper airway.
At the bronchial level, it can cause bronchitis or worsen conditions such as asthma or COPD. With the air conditioning, a reduction of ambient humiditywhich produces dryness in the nasal mucosa, eyes or skin.
In addition, it can cause muscle contractures, especially if the muscles receive a direct stream of cold air, since our body reacts by causing a sudden muscle contraction. At a more severe level, if not properly maintained, it can cause germs to accumulate on the filters, leading to severe lung infections such as pneumonia.
There are different methods to achieve heat, which may have their inherent risks, such as burns in braziers or wood-burning fireplaces, or problems derived from the inhalation of toxic gases during combustion, such as the inhalation of CO. What is common to all of them is that they have too high heating can be harmful to health.
It can cause respiratory problems, derived from the lack of humidity in the environment, which causes the mucous membranes to dry out and give rise to various respiratory infections.
It can cause:
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Headaches.
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Skin problems (people who have sensitive skin, dermatitis, and other skin problems are especially sensitive to the lack of environmental humidity).
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Rest problems.
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dehydration.
From what temperature does it have more harm than benefits?
The problems begin when a dry environment (below 30% relative humidity) is combined with a temperature that represents a difference of more than 10ºC with respect to what it does on the street, which causes “temperature shocks” that are detrimental for our health.
In winter, this difference may be greater, but we are capable of covering ourselves with appropriate clothing when going out.
Even so, it is not advisable to exceed an internal temperature of 24ºC. In summer, air conditioning temperatures below 24ºC are not suitablebecause outside there will be temperatures above that difference of 10ºC.
With the heat, our veins dilate and when we enter a very cold environment they contract abruptly, making blood circulation difficult. This makes the blood pressure increase, also increasing the effort that the heart will need to make to pump the blood.
The symptoms can vary according to the difference in degrees that our body suffers. If it is a few degrees, it may only feel discomfort, but if the difference is greater, the result can be more serious, and can lead to pulmonary alterations, cardiac arrhythmias, facial paralysis and, in some cases, even cardiac arrest.
In the same way, going from a cold environment to a very hot environment causes sudden vasodilation, which leads to hypotension, syncope, dehydration and even cardiorespiratory collapse.
With the air conditioning at 27ºC, how does the heat affect us and which population group is most vulnerable? Bearing in mind that older people lose their feeling of warmth as they get older, what can be done?
The human body has compensatory mechanisms to control heat, mechanisms that help us eliminate internal heat and keep our internal temperature constant. These mechanisms are sweating, which eliminates excess heat by evaporation, and skin vasodilation and increased blood flow in the skin (we turn red), which causes heat exchange with the environment.
When the external temperature exceeds 35ºC and the heat is excessive, the compensatory mechanisms may not be enough and mild symptoms may appear such as:
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intense thirst
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Headache (headache).
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Vertigo.
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Fatigue.
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Irritability.
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Hypotension (blood pressure below normal).
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Tachycardia (increased heart rate).
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Hyperventilation (excessive breathing).
But even syncopal symptoms or cramps due to loss of water and electrolytes and serious and potentially lethal manifestations, such as heat stroke, can occur.
In addition, the heat influences us on a mental level, producing greater irritability and difficulty sleeping. The risk groups are mainly the elderly, children, chronic patients (heart, respiratory, kidney and diabetic disease) and bedridden people. Likewise, athletes and people who work outdoors are also more exposed to the effects of heat.
The elderly population Its thermoregulation mechanisms are altered. There is a decreased sensation of thirst, there is a decrease in renal filtration, and the reabsorption of water and sodium is reduced. In addition, the elderly patient is very frequently polymedicated, there are drugs that have an inhibitory action on thermoregulation such as anxiolytics or antidepressants and some antihypertensives, highlighting diuretics that worsen dehydration even more.
It is necessary to ensure adequate water and electrolyte intake in this population group. can be offered Foods that allow you to replenish salts…