How to Stay Safe in Extreme Heat
As temperatures hit 30C (86F) over the weekend, a heat health alert has been issued for parts of England. While heat can affect anyone, some populations are at higher risk of serious harm. It is crucial to keep an eye on those who may be most vulnerable, such as the elderly and infants. The body’s reaction to extreme heat can lead to mild symptoms such as an itchy heat rash or swollen feet as blood vessels leak fluid. Sweating leads to the loss of fluids and salt and changes the balance between them in the body, which can lead to heat exhaustion.
The body works hard to maintain a core temperature of about 37°C, whether in a blizzard or heatwave. However, as the weather gets warmer, the body has to work harder to keep the core temperature down. The UK Health Security Agency recommends taking precautions to stay safe in extreme heat, including:
1. Keep cool indoors by closing the shades in sun-facing rooms
2. Drink plenty of fluids and avoid alcohol
3. Stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day
4. Stay in the shade, use sunscreen with high SPF and UVA index, and wear a wide-brimmed hat
5. Avoid physical exercise in the hottest part of the day
6. Take water when traveling
7. Be aware of hidden dangers in rivers and open water
8. Check on those who may have a hard time staying cool, such as the elderly, people with underlying conditions, and people who live alone
9. Do not leave anyone, especially babies, small children, and animals, in a closed vehicle
10. Wear thin sheets, chill socks in the fridge before putting them on and follow your regular bedtime routine
Heat Exhaustion vs. Heat Stroke
If someone is experiencing mild symptoms, such as heat exhaustion, move them to a cool place, have them lie down, raise their feet slightly, drink lots of water, and cool their skin by spraying or sponging them with cold water and fanning them. However, if the symptoms escalate and they do not recover within 30 minutes, it is likely heat stroke and a medical emergency, requiring calling 999. People with heat strokes can stop sweating, have a temperature exceeding 40°C, have seizures or lose consciousness.
Who is most at Risk?
Old age or some long-term conditions, such as heart disease, can make people less able to cope with the stress that the heat places on the body. Children and those who are less mobile may also be more vulnerable. Some medications can increase the risk, such as diuretics and antihypertensives, which can lead to dehydration and imbalances in key minerals in the body. Brain diseases, such as dementia, can leave people unaware of heat or unable to act accordingly.
Statistics for Heat-Related Deaths
There are around 2,000 deaths caused by high temperatures in England each year, mostly being heart attacks and strokes caused by the strain of keeping the body temperature stable. The highest mortality rate begins to be noticed once the thermometer goes from 25°C to 26°C. Evidence suggests that deaths tend to be caused by higher temperatures in spring or early summer rather than “peak summer.”
Heat Waves and Importance of Timely Action
The evidence from previous heat waves suggests that the increase in deaths occurs very rapidly, within the first 24 hours of the heatwave. It is, therefore, crucial to act timely and take precautions to avoid heat exhaustion or heatstroke. The key is keeping your core temperature down by staying in the shade, drinking plenty of fluids, and avoiding physical exercises during the hottest part of the day.
Additional Piece: Heat Waves and Climate Change
Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense worldwide due to climate change. In recent years, heatwaves have led to devastating wildfires and droughts, affecting crops, ecosystems, and human life. Apart from the health risks of heatwaves, it can also lead to higher energy demands, lower air and water quality, and economic losses.
To curb the devastating impacts of climate change, it is crucial to take collective action through government policies, community engagement, and individual behavioral changes. Such actions can include:
1. Reduce the carbon footprint by using energy-efficient appliances, reducing single-use plastics, and favoring public transport.
2. Increase green areas, such as parks and gardens, to reduce heat island effects in urban areas.
3. Raise public awareness about the impacts of heatwaves and the importance of taking timely action to alleviate them.
4. Engage communities, especially the vulnerable populations, in designing and implementing heatwave adaptation strategies.
5. Advocate for policies that prioritize reducing greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon taxes, carbon pricing, and renewable energy investments.
Climate change requires collective action at all levels, and taking timely action is crucial to avoid irreversible damage to the planet and human life.
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A heat health alert has been issued for parts of england as temperatures are forecast to hit 30C (86F) over the weekend.
The alert is in effect from 09:00 BST on Friday 9 June to 09:00 on Monday 12 June.
Heat can affect anyone, but some people are at higher risk of serious harm. Monitor those who may be most vulnerable, such as the elderly and infants.
Here’s what you need to know about the effects of heat on the body and how to stay cool.
What does extreme heat do to our body?
As the body heats up, the blood vessels open up. This leads to lower blood pressure and makes the heart work harder to push blood throughout the body.
This can cause mild symptoms, such as an itchy heat rash or swollen feet as blood vessels leak fluid.
At the same time, sweating leads to the loss of fluids and salt and, crucially, changes the balance between them in the body.
This, combined with low blood pressure, can lead to heat exhaustion. Symptoms include:
- dizziness
- nausea
- Fainting
- confusion
- muscle cramps
- Headaches
- heavy sweating
- fatigue
If blood pressure drops too low, the risk of heart attacks increases.
Why does our body react this way?
Our bodies strive to maintain a core temperature of about 37°C whether we’re in a blizzard or heat wave.
It is the temperature at which our bodies have evolved to work.
But as the weather gets warmer, the body has to work harder to keep your core temperature down.
It opens up more blood vessels near the skin to lose heat to our surroundings and you start to sweat.
As sweat evaporates, heat loss from the skin increases dramatically.
How can I stay safe in the heat?
The UK Health Security Agency has some advice:
- Be on the lookout for those who may have a hard time staying cool, such as the elderly, people with underlying conditions, and people who live alone.
- Keep cool indoors by closing the shades in sun-facing rooms
- Drink plenty of fluids and don’t drink too much alcohol.
- Do not leave anyone, especially babies, small children, and animals, in a closed vehicle.
- Stay out of the sun between 11 am and 3 pm, when the sun’s rays are strongest.
- Stay in the shade use sunscreen with a high SPF and UVA indexand wear a wide-brimmed hat
- Avoid physical exercise in the hottest part of the day
- Take water with you if you travel
- To be aware of hidden dangers in rivers and open water if you are tempted to cool off
How can I sleep well at night?
Wear thin sheets, chill socks in the fridge before putting them on, and follow your regular bedtime routine, experts say.
What should I do if I see someone with heat exhaustion?
If they can cool down in half an hour, then heat exhaustion is usually not serious.
- Move them to a cool place.
- Have him lie down and raise his feet slightly.
- Have them drink lots of water; sports or rehydration drinks are also fine.
- Cool their skin: spray or sponge them with cold water and fan them. Cold compresses around the armpits or neck are also good.
However, if they don’t recover within 30 minutes, heat stroke ensues.
It is a medical emergency and you should call 999.
People with heat stroke can stop sweating even if they are too hot. Their temperature could exceed 40°C and they could have seizures or lose consciousness.
People must drink enough water to stay cool.
Who is most at risk?
Old age or some long-term conditions, such as heart disease, can make people less able to cope with the stress that heat places on the body.
Diabetes can cause the body to lose water more quickly, and some complications of the disease can affect blood vessels and the ability to sweat.
Children and those who are less mobile may also be more vulnerable. Brain diseases, such as dementia, can also leave people unaware of heat or unable to do anything about it.
Homeless people will also be more exposed to the sun. Those who live on higher floors will also face higher temperatures.
Do some medications increase the risk?
Yes, but people need to continue taking their medications as normal and need to work harder to stay cool and hydrated.
Diuretics, sometimes called “water pills,” increase the amount of water the body expels. They are widely taken, including for heart failure. In high temperatures, the dangers of dehydration and imbalances in key minerals in the body increase.
Antihypertensives, which lower blood pressure, can combine with dilating blood vessels to cope with the heat and cause dangerous drops in blood pressure.
Some epilepsy and Parkinson’s medications can block sweating and make it harder for the body to cool down.
And other drugs like lithium or statins can become more concentrated and problematic in the blood if there is excessive fluid loss.
Does heat kill?
There are around 2,000 deaths caused by high temperatures in England each year.
Most of these will be heart attacks and strokes caused by the strain of trying to keep your body temperature stable.
The highest mortality rate begins to be noticed once the thermometer goes from 25°C to 26°C.
However, evidence suggests that deaths tend to be caused by higher temperatures in spring or early summer rather than “peak summer”.
This could be because we start to change our day-to-day behavior as the summer progresses and we get more used to dealing with the heat.
The evidence from previous heat waves is that the increase in deaths occurs very rapidly, within the first 24 hours of the heat wave.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-49112807?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA
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