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Heatstroke in Japan: What to do and how to avoid it

4 Comments
By Cassandra Lord

Summers in Japan always feel overbearing, and it feels like every year is hotter than the last. But that feeling is probably correct this time. This past June saw the country’s highest temperatures on record for the month in an intense heatwave.

What also broke June records was the number of heatstroke victims, with a total of 15,969 people being admitted to hospital for it that month, over three times more than June 2021.

The heat is no joke. We want everyone safe out there, so to help you stay cool, here are some ways to beat the heat in Japan, and what to do if you or someone you know falls victim to heatstroke.

Useful Japanese vocabulary for heatstroke

If you or someone around you appears to be suffering from heatstroke, here are some useful words and phrases for explaining heatstroke in Japanese in case of an emergency.

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Who to call in case of heatstroke

Heatstroke can be deadly, but symptoms range from mild to severe. The levels of heatstroke are:

  • Level 1 (mild): Dizziness, muscle cramps, nausea
  • Level 2 (moderate): Headache, nausea, fatigue
  • Level 3 (severe): Convulsions, hot dry skin, confusion, inability to walk straight, unconsciousness

If someone has fallen unconscious, do not hesitate to call an ambulance. If you are in doubt about whether to go to the doctor or call an ambulance, start with Tokyo EMS. You can use their simple self-check system online or dial #7119 to speak with a consultant. They will guide you on whether to go to the doctor or immediately call an ambulance.

Click here to read more.

© GaijinPot

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

4 Comments
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One very important extra detail is that some patients that are taking medication for heart problems are at an elevated risk of cardiac problems because of hot weather, this includes relatively young people that are considered healthy apart from their condition. So people taking medication like beta blockers or statins) they should be extra careful about hot weather, they risk not only becoming victims of heat stroke but also heart attacks.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

This summer has been cooler than last, as least in Kansai. Pleasant breezes, lower temperatures.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Little bit late for this kind of article, huh? August is somewhat more bearable than July, and Autumm is coming next month...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

People on anti depressants are also at higher risk of heatstroke.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

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