“Heat has direct consequences on your respiratory health, and protection is essential”. This warning comes from the Directorate-General for Health (DGS) in a social media post this Thursday, August 14, highlighting that “temperatures above 25°C affect lung function”, “making it difficult to breathe”.
In this regard, the DGS provided essential information and recommendations to protect during the current heatwave.
Apart from making “breathing more difficult”, temperatures above 25°C “can trigger or worsen common symptoms: cough, wheeze, and shortness of breath”.
The Directorate-General for Health also noted in the same post which groups are most affected, including “children, the elderly, people with asthma, allergic rhinitis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or other respiratory diseases”.
How to protect yourself?
According to the DGS, there are seven fundamental tips:
- “Stay in cool and ventilated or air-conditioned places for at least 2 to 3 hours a day;
- Drink water regularly (1.5 liters per day);
- Wear loose and light-colored clothing;
- Use a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses with UV protection;
- Avoid physical exertion outdoors;
- Stop smoking;
- Keep emergency medication with you.”;
The DGS pointed out that there are benefits to protecting oneself, such as:
- “Fewer asthma attacks or exacerbations of chronic respiratory diseases;
- Fewer visits to the doctor or emergency room;
- Better quality of life during the summer.”
🥵The heat has direct consequences on your respiratory health, and protection is essential.
Did you know that temperatures above 25°C affect lung function, making breathing difficult? Cough, wheeze, and shortness of breath are also worsened by high temperatures.
Discover more! #DGS pic.twitter.com/owlR2fJLCS— DGS (@DGSaude) August 14, 2025
For Thursday, August 14, the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) forecasted a slight temperature decrease in the South and a slight increase in maximum temperatures in the North and Centre regions.
The minimum temperatures range between 15°C in Viana do Castelo and 26°C in Portalegre, while the maximums range between 26°C in Aveiro and Viana do Castelo and 40°C in Castelo Branco and Évora.
More than 120 municipalities in the interior North and Centre of the country and in the Algarve are at maximum fire risk today, according to the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA).
Lusa | 07:48 – 14/08/2025
