Extremely hot temperatures negatively affect your health
Heatwa ves and extremely hot temperatures are dangerous for your health. Extreme heat can also make existing health problems worse and may cause heat stroke or heat exhaustion even in healthy people.
Older adults, young children and people with chronic conditions face the highest risk. If you work outdoors or in hot conditions, you are at high risk of heat stress. This can also affect people who do not have access to airconditioning or cooling facilities.
Anyone can be affected by extreme heat, especially during strenuous activity. Some medicines increase this risk by affecting the body’s ability to regulate temperature. Global warming has also intensified the health effects of heatwaves.
Pregnant women or their unborn babies may also be adversely affected by the heat.
Extreme heat exposure is linked to possible preterm births and poorer pregnancy outcomes, including low birth weight and infant death.
Extreme heat can also make some mental health conditions worse.
What is a heatwave?
Heatwaves are periods of unusually hot weather, typically lasting for two or more days, outside the historical averages for a given area. Heatwaves have always occurred from time to time but climate change is making them longer, more extreme and more frequent.
Worsening heatwaves are likely to increase the number of heat-related illnesses and deaths worldwide.
By the end of the century many countries are expected to see thousands of additional heat-related deaths each year because of climate change.
Heatwaves can be more extreme in cities due to the urban heat island effect, so growing urban populations could contribute to the number of people affected.
Coping with extreme heat
There are several steps that you can take to reduce the effect of heatwaves on your health. Many health problems and deaths related to heatwaves are preventable.
For instance, you can learn the warning signs of heat-related illnesses, drink more water when it is hot, keep cool with lightweight clothing and take showers. If you have air-conditioning this helps too. Tune in regularly to local weather forecasts and alerts so you know when to take extra care.
Communities can play their part to reduce the impact of heatwaves and protect vulnerable people. For example, communities can offer cooling centres, warn the public when a heatwave is coming and improve infrastructure to avoid power outages and ensure access to water.
As an individual you can contribute too, for example, by making your home more energy efficient so that less energy is needed for heating and cooling.
In the long-term, there are steps that need to be taken to reduce global warming and its impact on society including the intensification of heatwaves, which begin with cutting back on greenhouse gas emissions.
The most common health effects of high temperatures are dehydration and overheating, which can worsen the symptoms of people who already have problems with their heart or breathing. Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are other high temperature related health problems.
Risk factors
People who are most at risk include older people, especially those over 75 who live on their own or in a care home.
Those who have a serious or longterm illness, including heart or lung conditions, diabetes, kidney disease, Parkinson's disease or some mental health conditions are also at high risk.
It may be difficult to keep cool babies, young children, those who are bedridden, people with drug or alcohol addictions or those with Alzheimer's disease, which means they too may be at high risk of their health being adversely affected by excessive heat.
Other people who are at high risk are those who spend a lot of time outside or in hot places as well as those who live in a top floor flat, the homeless or those who work outside.
Coping with hot weather
Drink plenty of cool liquids, especially water, before you feel thirsty to decrease your risk of dehydration.
Remind yourself to drink water by leaving a glass by the sink. Flavouring water with natural fruit juice may make it more appealing. Keep an eye out for those who may struggle to keep themselves cool and hydrated, including older people as well as those with underlying health conditions and those who live alone who are particularly at risk.
Stay cool indoors. You may need to stay at home for longer than normal this summer, with people being encouraged to work from home where possible due to Covid-19, so know how to keep your home cool.
Open all windows to allow for a good airflow. If there is not much wind, you may find closing curtains at windows that face the sun help keep indoor spaces cooler. Remember that sometimes it may be cooler outdoors than indoors.
If you are going outdoors, use cool spaces considerately. Comply with Covid-19 prevention guidelines on social distancing, mask wearing and washing or sanitising your hands regularly.
Eat more fruits and vegetables as they have a high water content. If you eat less, you may need to drink more water. Drink water before, during and after physical activity. Avoid excessive alcohol consumption.
Never leave anyone in a closed parked vehicle, especially infants and young children. Try to keep out of the sun between 10am and 4pm.
Walk in the shade, apply sunscreen regularly and wear a wide brimmed hat if you have to go out in the sun.
Avoid exercising in the hottest parts of the day. It is a good idea to take water with you whenever you are leaving the house or office.
Remember that the Covid-19 new infections and hospitalisation numbers are going up and restrictions are still in place so you will need to follow government, World Health Organisation and Centre for Disease control guidance on how to stay safe in public places.
The information in this article is provided as a public service by the Cimas iGo Wellness programme, which is designed to promote good health. It is provided for general information only and should not be construed as medical advice. Readers should consult their doctor or clinic on any matter related to their health or the treatment of any health problem. — igo@cimas.co.zw or WhatsApp 0772 161 829 or phone 024-2773 0663.