The last few summers, you’ve probably noticed that it's felt hotter and hotter, and if you watch the news, you know that you’re not the only one feeling it. It’s clear that temperatures have been rising — the planet has risen 1 degree Celsius over the last century, and while this seems like an infinitesimal number, it has had a disastrous effect on global health. For example, heat-related deaths in people over 65 years old have increased by 85% between 2000-2004 and 2017-2021, a clear indicator of how the heat is only worsening. On July 22nd, 2024, the global temperature record was broken for the second day in a row, and cities everywhere are experiencing record-breaking temperatures every summer. If you’re not paying attention, it may be difficult to notice these gradual changes, but during a heat wave — when a region experiences unusually hot weather for at least two consecutive days — we need to be especially aware of how our health can be impacted.
Many studies have found that increased temperatures during heat waves result in increased death, or mortality, and increased morbidity, or rate of disease. This is especially true for vulnerable populations, including the elderly, children, people with chronic illnesses like respiratory disease or heart disease, outdoor workers, homeless and low-wage earners, and people living in areas with poorly prepared health services. When experiencing a rapid and severe increase in heat gain, the body’s ability to regulate temperature is compromised, which can lead to heat illness, heat strokes, and even death. This can occur in people who are otherwise completely healthy, but can also worsen the conditions of people who may already have preexisting health problems. For example, high temperatures increase mortality rates in 90% of the already existing global causes of death – including heart disease, stroke, respiratory infections, and other conditions – meaning that conditions which were already a risk are even more dangerous when temperatures are high. In recent years, it’s also shown that increased heat waves have an effect on mental health – hospital admissions and emergency department visits for anxiety, depressive disorders, suicide, and self-harm all increase during heat waves.
While we can’t control the heat, we can control how we prepare for it, and how we respond. This is why it’s important to know the signs of heat sickness, so you can recognize when you or a loved one are experiencing it, and act quickly for their health. Heat sickness could be heat cramps, heat exhaustion or heat stroke! First, what is the difference between heat cramps, exhaustion and heat stroke? Heat cramps are muscle spasms which can happen in extreme heat due to a large loss of salt and water in the body, which may be due to heavy sweating. If someone is sweating heavily with muscle pain or spasms, they may be experiencing heat cramps and should move to a cool place immediately, drink water or electrolytes, and get medical help if the cramps last longer than an hour or if they have other medical conditions, such as heart problems.
Heat exhaustion, also known as heat stress, may occur when one has spent too much time in extreme temperatures, and can require emergency medical help. The signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, cold and clammy skin, a fast or weak pulse, nausea or vomiting, and dizziness or feeling like one may pass out. In this case, one should immediately move to a cool place, drink fluids, loosen tight clothing, find a way to cool the body using a fan or cold shower, and get medical help if vomiting occurs or symptoms worsen.
Heat stroke can be deadly, and may require hospital admission immediately. Signs of heat stroke include hot, red skin, a fast or strong pulse, headache and dizziness, shock, or nausea and confusion. If you recognize these symptoms in yourself, or someone else, the best thing to do is move to a cool place, but do not give them something to drink – someone with heatstroke may have an altered level of consciousness and may require fluids through an IV once they arrive at the hospital.
There are also ways to protect yourself before heat waves even begin. Many countries have formal heat-health action plans, or HHAPs, which could include heat-health warning systems, improvements in urban planning such as green spaces or cooling centres, sufficient care for vulnerable populations, and preparedness of hospital and health service systems. On a community level, many cities prepare by having cooling centres open to the community, like libraries or community centres. More government investment will be required as temperatures continue to rise, in order to ensure that all cities and regions are sufficiently prepared for high temperatures. This could mean investing in housing, greenspaces, or awareness campaigns of the negative health effects of high temperatures, and how people can stay prepared.
But in the meantime, there are steps you can take as an individual to protect yourself, your family, and friends from extreme heat. For example, if you know extreme heat is coming, you can gather emergency supplies, ensure you have enough water and electrolytes to stay sufficiently hydrated, and make a plan to stay cool. Electric fans may not always be enough to prevent heat sickness, but making sure you have lightweight, loose clothing, and have access to a cool shower or bath may help prevent sickness. If you do not have air conditioning, find locations in your community where you can stay cool – for example, public libraries, shopping malls, or public cooling centres in your neighbourhood can be great places to stay cool for free. When the heat comes, try and avoid going outside and doing strenuous activity during the hottest time of day (usually in the afternoon), and if you do, stay in the shade. Keep your home cool by opening windows after dark when the air is cooler, and check in with vulnerable people in your circle – elderly, those living alone, and those with chronic conditions. Most importantly, stay aware and alert – after reading this article, you will know the signs of heat sickness. Use that knowledge!
The most important thing to remember is that there are resources out there that can help you cope and continue living your life through extreme heat. For more information, you can visit your local county or state health website, as well as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website (https://www.fema.gov/blog/5-ways-stay-cool-during-extreme-heat), the American Red Cross website (https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/extreme-heat-safety.html) , and the Global Heat Health Information Network partnered with the World Health Organization (https://ghhin.org/). Remember that to enjoy this summer, we all need to stay cool, hydrated, prepared and safe!
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Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board
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