When temperatures soar, more attention must be paid to the body’s natural limits by avoiding strenuous outdoor activities, drinking adequate amounts of fluid, avoiding alcohol consumption, wearing lightweight clothing, and using air-conditioning. This is especially important for high risk groups including young children, adults over the age of 65, individuals who must do strenuous activities outdoors, and people with chronic medical conditions, especially conditions related to the cardiovascular system.
Heatwaves and Global Climate Change
Heat-trapping gases emitted by power plants, automobiles, deforestation and other sources are warming up the planet. In fact, the five hottest years on record have all occurred since 1997 and the 10 hottest since 1990. The warmest year on record is 2005, and temperatures in June 2010 were the highest global temperatures for the month in recorded history.
In a report on Heatwaves and Global Climate Change, the Pew Center on Global Climate Change reminds readers that heatwaves affect human health through heat stress and exacerbates underlying conditions, thereby increasing heat-related deaths. Between 1979 and 1999, says Pew, 3,829 deaths in the United States were recorded as being related to hot weather conditions. Currently, populations in the Midwest are particularly at increased risk for illness and death during heatwaves.
According to the Nature Conservancy, extreme heat waves caused more than 20,000 deaths in Europe and more than 1,500 deaths in India in 2003. Scientists have linked the deadly heat waves to climate change and warn of more to come, they say.
Heat Exhaustion Most Common Illness Related to Prolonged Periods of Heat
Symptoms of heat exhaustion include muscle cramps, fatigue, headache, nausea, and dizziness. During heat exhaustion, the skin is often cool and moist which indicates that the body's mechanism for cooling itself is still functioning. The pulse rate is typically fast and weak, and breathing is rapid and shallow.
If ignored, heat exhaustion can progress to heatstroke, a serious, life-threatening condition characterized by body temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit and skin that stops sweating. Since heat exhaustion is caused by a loss of salt and water from the body, there must be prompt and aggressive fluid replacement and cooling of core body temperature to prevent its progression to heat stroke.
Recognize Risks and Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion usually develops gradually. In addition to the high risk groups noted in the introduction, above, people who are not used to hot humid conditions or people who have been sick are more susceptible than others to developing heat exhaustion.
Heat exhaustion is characterized by excessively high body temperature. Before heat exhaustion sets in, a person sweats profusely. Then dehydration develops, leading to heat exhaustion.
Other symptoms include:
- Headache
- Dizziness and confusion
- Fainting
- Lack of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Heavy sweating
- Pale and moist skin
- Cramps in the arms, legs and the abdominal wall
- Tiredness or weakness
- Rapid and weakening pulse
- Rapid and shallow breathing
Treatment for Heat Exhaustion
Replacing lost body fluids and salt is key. While cooling the person with heat exhaustion, a helper should prepare to seek medical help. If the condition does not change in an hour, obtain medical help. However if the condition progresses to heat stroke, seek medical attention immediately.
While attending a person with heat exhaustion:
- Help the person to a cool place
- Get them to lie down with legs raised
- Continue to supply water and, if possible, a weak salt solution
- Encourage the person to see a doctor soon, even if seemingly recovered
- Monitor and record pulse and breathing rate
- Be prepared to give rescue chest compressions
From Heat Exhaustion to Heat Stoke
While heat exhaustion is a milder and more common heat-related illness, heat stroke is more serious. When heat stoke occurs, the body becomes unable to control its temperature and it may rise to 106 degrees Fahrenheit in 10 or 15 minutes. The sweating mechanism fails and the body is unable to use this natural control to cool down. Since heat stroke can cause death and permanent disability, it is vitally important to seek help immediately.
Additional symptoms of heat stoke include a rapid and strong pulse and a throbbing headache.
More on Heat and More Heat-related Warnings on Human Health
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control website includes more answers to questions about heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke as well as heat cramps and heat rashes.
The Nature Conservancy warns that in addition to heat-related illness, climate change may increase the spread of infectious diseases, mainly because warmer temperatures allow disease-carrying insects, animals and microbes to survive in areas where they were once thwarted by cold weather. Diseases and pests that were once limited to the tropics, such as mosquitoes that carry malaria, may find hospitable conditions in new areas that were once too cold to support them.
More summer reading!
- How to Treat Jellyfish Stings
- Is It Safe to Swim in the Chesapeake Bay?
- Bluebirds and Extreme Heat
- Heatstroke: Nature in an Age of Global Warming
Sara E. Lewis - Sara E. Lewis is a writer and publications consultant. As a freelancer, she writes and produces marketing materials and especially enjoys ...
