While we all enjoy the beautiful summer, hot weather particularly affects those who suffer from blood pressure problems, increasing the risk of a cerebral hemorrhage if you are not careful. Thus, Professor İlhan Elmacı provides some critical information about a cerebral hemorrhage, treatment methods and measures that should be taken.

Cerebral hemorrhage

Extremely hot weather has a greater effect on people who are overweight or who have high blood pressure. A sudden and uncontrollable increase in blood pressure can cause a cerebral hemorrhage. The at-risk group includes individuals who have high blood pressure but do not visit the doctor regularly, do not take their medicine for reducing blood pressure, do not pay attention to their diet and adopt a sedentary lifestyle. Even though high blood pressure is known as a disease of the elderly, young people who have a brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM), also known as a brain aneurysm, and which can cause a cerebral hemorrhage, should be extra careful during hot weather. Additionally, high temperatures can pose a risk for babies, little children, the elderly and those who have a chronic disease even in a short time.

Dehydration

The human brain is 80 percent water. The most important factors that cause cerebral hemorrhage during hot weather are shifting of the heat balance and a dehydrated body. Taking the necessary measures, especially protecting the water balance in the body, is of vital importance. As a result of dehydration in the body, serious changes can be observed in blood pressure. It should be remembered that tea, coffee and fizzy drinks are not substitutes for water, and 2.5-3 liters of water should be consumed each day.

Be aware of these symptoms:

Nausea, vomiting, a severe headache, lack of energy, being unable to move any part of the body, loss of consciousness, lack of sleep and slurred speech are among the most important symptoms of a cerebral hemorrhage. An individual experiencing these symptoms should immediately be brought to a hospital's emergency service without shaking his/her body much. Treatment methods change according to the severity of the bleeding in the brain. Surgical methods are preferred in cerebral hemorrhages stemming from brain arteriovenous and aneurysms.

Measures to reduce the risk of a cerebral hemorrhage during hot weather:

If possible, ‎you should not go out between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., the time when humidity rates reach their peak and the sun's rays hit the Earth at the steepest angle. You should remain in a cool place during these hours.

You should not stay in the sun for long periods, and if you need to go out, you should wear a hat or a bandana to protect your head.

If your doctor has prescribed medicine, you should continue to use it regularly without any delay. In particular, blood pressure should be kept under control.

You should meet the water demands of your body during the day. You should drink water without waiting to feel thirsty during extremely hot weather.

You should try not to remain hungry for a long time and be careful about your diet. Fast foods should not be consumed, and salt should be kept off the table as much as possible.

You should do sports in the morning or at night when temperatures are lower. You should stay away from sports that put too much weight on your body. You should avoid expending too much energy if your body is not used to it.

If you smoke, you should quit and stay away from places where cigarettes are smoked.

If‎ you suffer from a severe headache, you should consult with a health professional without losing any time.