We are finally in the “most unanticipated” season of the year; I can’t believe I just realised that. Summer in the UAE is the most difficult time of the year, especially if you have to be out during the day. Up till now, many people don’t understand why I love to live in a ‘hot summer city’, and honestly, at this point, I don’t have an exact answer to that anymore :). The UAE has extreme weather with tales of sun, sand and even snow.
I recently read an article on coping with the UAE Summer heat, which addressed various issues during the scorching weather, such as heat stroke, dehydration, heat exhaustion, and more. In addition, there were some suggestions from various doctors in the UAE on basic guidelines to stay safe in the summer.
The major points from the article are:
1. According to Dr Osman El Labban, head of the Family Medicine Department at Al Zahra Hospital, It is advisable to go out when the sun is not at its peak. He further suggested that 8 am to 10 am and 5 pm to 7 pm would be the recommended timing to go out during the day.
2. Wear light and lose clothes during the summer to allow the sweat to evaporate. Cotton would be a preferable choice of fabric for the summer because it helps our bodies stay cool.
3. According to Dr Mohammed Aljeaidi, Specialist Family Medicine at Medcare Medical Centre Rashidiya, Residents and tourists should avoid synthetic fabrics, which can trap the heat. Also, wear a hat or cap when outside.
4. Dr Sumi Thomas, Specialist Dermatologist, Aster Clinic – Al Muteena recommends the following:
– Avoid direct sun exposure between 10 am – 4 pm.
– Use broad-spectrum sunscreen before going outside.
– Drink 2-3 litres of water daily to keep hydrated.
– Include a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
– Avoid smoking and aerated drinks.
5. During summer, Dr Thomas said, “our bodies try to cool down through the natural process of sweating, which can lead to dehydration and fatigue. This makes it essential to drink more water in summer.” Furthermore, it is advisable to eat water-rich fruit like orange, watermelon, papaya and strawberry and avoid excessive tea, coffee and soft drinks to stay hydrated.
6. Heat stress is the overall heat load a person may be exposed to from the combined contributions of metabolic heat, environmental factors (i.e., air temperature, humidity, air movement, and radiant heat), and clothing requirements.
7. People, especially those who work outdoors for long hours, need to be careful about high humidity levels. Usually, dry air helps evaporate our sweat and cools down the body.
8. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
- Heavy sweating
- Clammy skin
- Nausea and weakness
9. According to Dr Sumi Thomas, Specialist Dermatologist, Aster Clinic – Al Muteena, “Heatstroke is caused by body overheating prolonged exposure to sunlight or doing physical activity in high temperature with an inadequate intake of water/electrolyte fluid, and this condition is common during summer months.”
10. Sunglasses with good UV protection and wide-brimmed hats can help reduce the harmful effects of sunlight.
Check out the article HERE.
If you have experienced the Dubai heat, let me know your story in the comment section 🙂
If you love this blog, kindly share the posts with your friends and loved ones. It will mean a lot to me to know your thoughts in the comments. Love, Grace
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