Preliminary data published by the World Meteorological Organization the day before yesterday (Monday) showed that the first week of July is the hottest week ever in the world.
Experts have warned that this problem is likely to get worse over time as the climate crisis worsens.
In this context, a report published by the American network “CNN” stated that severe heat waves can affect our bodies greatly, stressing the need to pay attention to this problem and people to take the necessary measures to maintain their safety at these times.
How are our bodies affected by extreme heat?
Our bodies are used to a certain range of temperatures, usually between 36 and 38 degrees Celsius, says Dr. Judith Linden, executive vice president of emergency medicine at Boston Medical Center. When the brain senses a change in the level of these degrees – whether lower or higher – it tries to help the body to be colder or hotter to cope with this change.
“There are a number of different ways the brain tries to cool the body in hot weather,” Linden added. One of these methods is (sweating), where the pores of the body open and the body sweats, then the sweat evaporates, giving the person a sense of coolness.
He continued, “The second way your body cools itself is by dilating your blood vessels and increasing your heart rate, which helps release excess heat from the body.”
However, when you are exposed to extremely high temperatures, it is difficult for your body to cool itself, and sweat is not able to evaporate easily, which leads to a rise in body temperature, according to the Mayo Clinic.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says high body temperatures can damage the brain and other vital organs, and can lead to many heat-related illnesses.
A woman uses a hand fan during hot weather in Pyongyang (AFP)
What are the most important heat-related diseases?
The most prominent of these ailments, Linden said, are heat cramps, which can occur mostly in people who sweat a lot or exercise intensely.
Excessive sweating takes up all the salt and moisture in the body and can lead to muscle aches or cramps, usually in the abdomen, arms or legs, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Excessive sweating can also cause rashes, especially in the neck and upper chest.
When your body begins to exceed its ability to cool itself, you can develop what is known as heat exhaustion.
“Heat exhaustion is when your body becomes too hot and struggles to acclimate,” says Linden. In this condition, the body sweats excessively in an effort to keep up with the extra heat. You will feel dizzy, nauseous, and have a headache, and often your pulse will increase and your skin will become noticeably pale.
He continued, “This is the body’s last attempt to calm itself down before it really heads to the point of no return, which is heatstroke, which is the most dangerous heat-related disease, and if left untreated, it may lead to death.”
Symptoms of heatstroke include not sweating even when feeling very hot, a body temperature of 40 degrees Celsius or higher, rapid breathing or shortness of breath, confusion, redness of the skin, headache, dizziness, nausea, or loss of consciousness.
Who is most at risk?
The CDC says that older adults and people with chronic health problems may have less responsive bodies to temperature changes and may be taking medications that make the effects of heat worse.
“Young children are also less aware of the symptoms of heat-related illnesses and less aware of the need to leave hot places if they start to feel overheated,” says Linden.
A woman uses a bag to take shelter during a heat wave in Beijing (AFP)
How do you stay safe in hot weather?
“If someone starts to feel dizzy, nauseous, or have a headache, they should immediately go to a cool place or pour some water on their head and drink plenty of fluids at once,” says Linden.
He added, “When temperatures rise, people should avoid outdoor activities – especially between the hours of 11 am and 3 pm. But if you have to go out for some reason, you should wear light-coloured clothes, cover your head and drink plenty of fluids.”
2023-07-12 12:13:29
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