Key Takeaways
- Extreme heat can cause a spectrum of problems, from heat stress to heat exhaustion and heatstroke, with symptoms including weakness, tiredness, cramps, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headache, and fainting.
*Heatwaves put intense stress on the body, particularly the cardiovascular system and kidneys, and can lead to renal failure, cardiovascular collapse, or heatstroke. - To stay cool and prevent heat stress, drink plenty of water, stay indoors during peak UV hours, check in on vulnerable friends and family members, and avoid strenuous activities.
- Public health authorities recommend staying well-hydrated, avoiding alcoholic, hot, or sugary drinks, and using fans and wetting the skin to cool down.
- Prolonged heat can cause cardiovascular collapse, kidney failure, and heatstroke, especially in older people, babies, and those with chronic illnesses.
Introduction to Heat-Related Illnesses
Extreme heat results in a range of problems, from heat stress to heat exhaustion and heatstroke. According to Dr. Loo, heat stress is characterized by feelings of discomfort, weakness, tiredness, cramps, and dizziness. If left unaddressed, heat stress can progress to heat exhaustion, marked by a body temperature above 38C, nausea, vomiting, headache, and fainting. Heat exhaustion can also lead to behavioral changes, such as irritability and aggression. Further stress from extreme heat may result in renal failure or cardiovascular collapse, or heatstroke, a diagnosable medical emergency.
Understanding the Effects of Heatwaves on the Body
Heatwaves put intense stress on the body, particularly the cardiovascular system and kidneys. During a heatwave, the heart has to work hard to deliver oxygen and nutrients to organs while increasing blood flow to extremities. This can lead to cardiovascular collapse, a main cause of heat-related death in Australia. Symptoms to watch out for include hot skin, confusion, weakness, cramps, dizziness, vomiting, and fainting. People suffering from heatstroke can have core body temperatures above 40.5C and may show confusion, reduced alertness, and have red, hot, dry skin that no longer produces sweat.
Preventing Heat Stress and Staying Cool
To prevent heat stress and stay cool, Dr. Wright recommends drinking plenty of water, staying indoors during peak UV hours, checking in on vulnerable friends and family members, and avoiding strenuous activities. Public health authorities suggest staying well-hydrated by drinking six to eight glasses of water a day and avoiding alcoholic, hot, or sugary drinks. Urine that is a "clear to light straw color" is a good guide to indicate if you are drinking enough. People with heart failure and other medical conditions that may require limiting fluid intake should consult their medical practitioner. Additionally, avoiding or reducing strenuous activities and carrying water when going outside can help prevent heat stress.
Cooling Strategies and Home Tips
Dr. Bach suggests fully closing up your house when it’s at its coolest, and using fans and wetting the skin to cool down. Fans can safely be used in combination with other measures in indoor temperatures up to 37C. Beyond that, it’s best to seek out somewhere with air conditioning, such as a local library or shopping center. In environments that aren’t too humid, wetting the skin can also help, as 80% of the heat the body loses during exercise is due to sweat evaporating. Adding water to the skin, whether through a wet cloth, spray bottle, or shower, can help cool the body down. Cooling your bedroom to give your body a chance to recuperate while you sleep is also essential, as prolonged heat can lead to serious health problems.
The Impact of Prolonged Heat on the Body
When it’s hot, the body dissipates heat through the skin by increasing blood flow to the extremities and sweating. However, this process can lead to a drop in central blood pressure, which can cause the heart to work harder to deliver oxygen and nutrients to vital organs. While this is manageable for short periods, a heatwave can put extended stress on the cardiovascular system and kidneys. The prolonged nature of high temperatures makes a heatwave a problem, and the bulk of people who die from heatwaves in Australia is due to cardiovascular collapse. In addition to cardiovascular collapse, kidney failure and heatstroke are also causes of heat-related death, often occurring in those over 65 or with pre-existing conditions.