Heatstroke in Japan: How to Prevent and What to Do
Learn the symptoms of heat stroke, what to do and how to prevent it from happening
The typical image of summer in Japan that is always sold is festivals, fireworks, delicious food and so on. And indeed, the Japanese summer has many interesting activities to offer. However, it comes with a major drawback: overwhelming heat.
You may be thinking: it’s summer, summer is hot in all countries in the northern hemisphere. And yes, it is true. I myself am from Spain, a country where in July and August temperatures in some cities exceed those in Japan. But the problem with summer in Japan is not the temperature on the thermometer, but the stifling humidity and the wind chill. Even on rainy or typhoon days, when temperatures drop slightly, the humidity sticks to your skin and is suffocating.
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We often underestimate heat, but just as a person can die from hypothermia due to excessive cold, excessive high temperatures can lead to heat stroke, which is one of the leading causes of death in summer, especially among older people or those who work outdoors. Children are also very vulnerable.
In our day-to-day lives we don’t usually spend so much time outdoors, but when we travel we want to see things and therefore we tend to be more exposed to the sun and heat, and moving from place to place. So that you can enjoy your trip to Japan safely this summer, in this article I would like to explain how to recognise if you are having a heat stroke, what to do about it and how to prevent it from happening.
Symptoms of heat stroke
The first thing to do is to recognise the symptoms. If you or the people with you are feeling several of these symptoms (not necessarily all of them), please consider that you may be on the verge of heat stroke and take action.
Intense thirst and dry mouth
Excessive sweating and feeling of suffocating heat
Dry skin
Exhaustion, tiredness or weakness
Dizziness, fainting or lightheadedness
Muscle cramps or aches
When we don’t pay attention to the initial symptoms, they can worsen and you may have:
Nausea or vomiting
Headache
Disorientation, confusion or even fainting
What to do in case of heat stroke?
Taking action quickly is very important and can mean the difference between becoming a serious case or not. One of the first steps is to move the person to a cooler place, such as an air-conditioned room, and provide liquids, preferably if they also contain salts. An effective, homemade solution is water with a tablespoon of salt. At the same time, try to cool the body with wet towels, water, etc. If the person has tight clothing such as around the neck, etc. it’s also best to loosen those parts. In serious cases or for children, consider undressing some parts (e.g. removing the shirt).
If the person doesn’t improve or if you think they need medical assistance, don’t hesitate to call an ambulance or go to a hospital or clinic. In case you need it, heat stroke in Japanese is called “Netsuchusho” (if they don’t understand your pronunciation, show them this kanji 熱中症). If you don’t speak any Japanese and are worried about communicating with the medical staff and doctor, there are a few clinics that are English-speaking.