Extreme heat can be defined as summertime temperatures that are hotter than average for that time of year and climate. Heat waves are measured relative to the normal climate. They are defined as a period of prolonged extremely hot weather. With time, the extreme heat and heat waves are becoming more common and more intense. It is affecting long-term weather patterns.
For those
unaware, climate change increases the overall temperature of the atmosphere and
oceans. It leads to changes in moisture, wind, and heat circulation patterns. These
changes lead to higher frequency intensity and duration of extreme weather
conditions.
Everyone should be worried about
extreme heat because it has been shown to impact everyone’s health negatively.
The negative impacts can be mild, like dehydration, or serious, like heat stroke or
even death.
Exposure to
hot temperatures can compromise their body’s ability to regulate internal
temperature and cause a cascade of serious health issues like heat cramps, heat
stroke, heat exhaustion, and hyperthermia.
These
health issues can begin after a person is exposed to extreme heat, but
sometimes, they can have a lagged effect, and the symptoms might appear many
days after the exposure. Extreme heat can also lead to worsening of existing
chronic conditions like diabetes and respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.
Watch
for the Hidden Symptoms of Extreme Heat
If you want
to address the symptoms of extreme heat before they worsen, you need to watch
out for the obvious and hidden symptoms of extreme heat. If you don’t watch out
for them, it can be very problematic as these illnesses can progress rapidly
and might become life-threatening.
There are
many types of symptoms of extreme heat. The first symptoms might include heat
rashes, excessive sweating, cramps, fatigue, and dizziness. Then there might be
some symptoms that show up if you have prolonged exposure to heat. Some of them
include nausea, fast pulse, high body temperature, confusion, dizziness,
fainting, heat rash, muscle cramps, rapid breathing and heartbeat, extreme
thirst, seizures, throbbing headache, muscle twitching, and even unconsciousness.
One should
know of these symptoms and take corrective actions as soon as they appear
because seemingly small issues can quickly transform into serious medical
issues. It is also wise to check in on friends and neighbors, especially those
who live alone, to ensure that they are doing well and not experiencing any
heat-related illness.
Heat
Strokes Can Be Pretty Serious
Heat
strokes can be serious because when they occur, a person’s body cannot do
anything to cool itself off. If a person has a true heat stroke, a lot of time
and effort is required to cool them off. Sometimes, a person might also have
organ dysfunction, which is not reversible and can lead to death in some cases.
If you
think you are having a heat stroke or someone you know might have it, you need
to take steps to cool them down and head to the emergency ward of the nearest
health facility or simply call 911.
Sources:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/climate/symptoms-extreme-heat-1.6521588
https://www.dailyrepublic.com/all-dr-news/solano-news/local-features/local-lifestyle-columns/for-your-health-heat-waves-can-affect-health/
https://www.regina.ca/news/Ways-to-Keep-Cool-in-Extreme-Heat/