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Home Patient information Common complaints Heat wave heat plan

Dealing with hot weather

Summer is just around the corner and temperatures are rising. Time to enjoy summer at home. But, how can you best do this without developing symptoms? Because your body can get too hot or even dehydrate if you don't adjust to hot temperatures.

Here’s what you can do when it gets hot

Drop by or give us a call

Give vulnerable people – such as the elderly, those with a chronic illness and young children – a call or pop round to see them, and ask how they’re getting on.

Make sure you drink enough

Drink 2 litres of water or more a day. Encourage others to drink water, tea or other drinks regularly, even if they aren’t thirsty.

Keep the house cool

Use sun blinds, keep windows closed during the hottest part of the day, and ventilate when it cools down.

Keep the body cool

Seek out the shade, wear light, breathable clothing and plan your activities for the morning or evening wherever possible. Have a cool foot bath or place a wet towel around your neck.

Be on the lookout for overheating

Watch out for symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, tiredness or extreme thirst. Take these symptoms seriously.

Please take care when taking medication

Some medicines may work differently in hot weather. If necessary, ask your pharmacist for advice.

Complaints you can get

If it is very hot and you do not adapt to this properly, you may experience the following symptoms:

  • Sweating a lot
  • Being tired
  • Not being able to concentrate well
  • Being dizzy
  • Headache
  • Problems on your skin, such as burning, itching and rashes with blisters.

Do you have any of the above complaints? Then make sure you take action. Cool your body and drink enough. Do the symptoms not diminish? Then you may be dehydrated or have sunstroke. This could be dangerous.

Recognise a sunstrokeLearn more about dehydration

Difference between heat stroke and sunstroke

Heatstroke is a severe form of overheating, whilst sunstroke is a less severe form of overheating, often caused by prolonged exposure to the sun. Heatstroke can lead to loss of consciousness and requires immediate medical attention, whilst sunstroke can generally be treated with rest, cooling and rehydration.

Heat stroke symptoms
In heat stroke, the body can no longer release heat and the thermostat in the brain can be disrupted. The body temperature often runs above 40 degrees, causing confusion, unconsciousness, rapid heartbeat and breathing, convulsions and, in some cases, no sweat production. Immediate help is crucial. The body must be cooled and fluids administered.

Heat plan and heatwave

A heatwave is said to exist in the Netherlands when a maximum temperature of at least 25 degrees for five days or more, of which at least three days are 30 degrees or more at De Bilt.

The National Heat Plan is triggered by prolonged heat, whereas a heatwave is a specific period of hot weather. The Heat Plan is designed to protect vulnerable groups during periods of prolonged heat, with organisations such as local health authorities and pharmacists providing information and advice. 

Watch the video below for more information about the National Heat Plan and what you can do yourself in the event of a heatwave.