High Temperatures in Taiwan: Doctor Warns of Brain Damage Risk for Vulnerable Groups
Quick Look
- Taiwan faces high temperatures up to 35°C until next Thursday.
- Huang Xuan warns extreme heat can severely impact the brain, affecting cognition and potentially causing heat delirium.
- Elderly, children, those with chronic conditions, and outdoor workers are at higher risk.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Taiwan is experiencing a heatwave with temperatures reaching 35°C, expected to last until next Thursday. Extreme heat poses risks beyond heatstroke, significantly affecting brain function.
全台燒番薯到下週四高溫35度，民眾要提防中暑危機，老年人、幼童等族群要留意。（資料照）
〔健康頻道／綜合報導〕全台燒番薯到下週四高溫35度，民眾要提防中暑危機。胸腔暨重症專科醫師黃軒曾經表示，極端高溫帶來的不僅中暑，更影響腦部甚鉅，4類族群要特別小心，包括老年人、幼童、有三高與心臟病病史者、長時間在戶外或密閉空間工作者。
全台高溫炎熱，民眾注意防曬！中央氣象署預報，一直到下週四（28日）各地天氣穩定，白天普遍都有31至35度，尤其大台北、花東縱谷及中南部內陸地區，有局部37度左右高溫。
黃軒曾在臉書與部落格談到，近年不少研究指出，極端高溫帶來的不僅中暑，更影響腦部甚鉅。研究指出，高溫會影響腦部的血流分佈與神經傳導，導致注意力、記憶力與判斷力下降。特別是當身體無法有效散熱時，核心體溫上升將進一步擾亂中樞神經系統，產生所謂的「熱性譫妄」（heat delirium）與認知混亂。
誰最容易「被熱傷腦」？他提醒4類族群要特別小心，包括老年人（腦血流調節能力下降）；幼童（體溫調節系統未發展完全）；有高血壓、糖尿病、心臟病病史者；長時間在戶外或密閉空間工作者，這些族群對熱的耐受性較低，更容易出現神智不清、語無倫次、甚至意識喪失等危險症狀。
針對預防高溫危害，他提出5項建議：
1.保持腦袋「涼」快：穿透氣衣物、使用冷毛巾敷頸後與額頭，能幫助大腦散熱。
2.多喝水，少喝酒：酒精會擴張血管、增加脫水風險，反而讓熱更容易傷身。
3.定時進室內避暑：每小時至少找機會進冷氣房休息10–15分鐘。
4.避免高溫時段活動：尤其是上午11點到下午3點，是最危險的熱時段。
5.注意身體異狀：若出現頭痛、暈眩、講話怪怪的情況，立刻降溫就醫！
相關新聞請見
全台燒番薯到週四高溫35度！ 「3地區」更熱上看37度
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What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Continued high temperatures and associated health risks until at least May 28th.
Very likely · Within days
Open Questions
- What specific long-term neurological effects can prolonged exposure to extreme heat have?
- Are there any public health advisories or measures being implemented by the government to mitigate these risks?
- What is the current rate of heat-related illnesses in Taiwan?
- How does the body's ability to regulate temperature change with age, and what are the physiological mechanisms involved?
