As global temperatures rise, it is crucial to take precautions once morest the increasing heat. While 2023 marked the hottest year on record, some climate and environmental experts anticipate that 2024 may be even hotter. The UK’s National Weather Service reports that heat-related fatalities now exceed the number of deaths caused by hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters.
The detrimental effects of extreme heat on human health are widely recognized, posing a significant challenge for both the global community and the healthcare sector in particular. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that heat stress is the primary cause of climate-related deaths, exacerbating conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and asthma. It can also increase the transmission rates of certain infectious diseases.
Studies conducted between 2000 and 2019 reveal that heat stress was associated with an average of 489,000 deaths annually. Extreme heat waves can significantly elevate mortality rates. As a consequence of climate change and its impact on rising global temperatures, the number of individuals exposed to excessive heat is on the rise. Factors like age, health status, occupation, and socioeconomic status influence the risks associated with heat exposure.
Public health physician Dr. Hussein Al-Hawari explains that prolonged exposure to the sun, whether on beaches or in outdoor work environments, poses a risk of heat stroke.
Symptoms to be mindful of include:
– Severe fever
– Heavy sweating
– General fatigue
– Weakness
– Headache
– Low temperature
– Dizziness
– Rapid heartbeat
– Vomiting
These symptoms are commonly observed in cases of prolonged exposure to high temperatures. Dr. Al-Hawari emphasizes that while normal body temperature is 37 degrees Celsius, it can rise to 39 or 40 degrees in such conditions, posing a serious threat to life. Therefore, heat stroke is a condition that demands immediate medical attention.
Symptoms of heat stroke can persist for one to two days. The affected individual may show improvement within a few days before complete recovery occurs, contingent upon replenishing fluids and minerals lost through dehydration.
How should heat stroke be treated?
Upon experiencing heat stroke symptoms, the individual must be moved to a shaded, cooler environment. Loosening clothing assists in body cooling. Lowering body temperature, replenishing fluids and electrolytes lost due to heat exposure, are crucial steps.
Dr. Al-Hawari recommends applying cold water compresses to the head, thighs, and under the armpits while waiting for the temperature to decrease, provided the individual remains conscious. In cases of excessive blood pressure drops leading to unconsciousness, immediate transport to a hospital emergency room is essential. Intravenous fluid administration is required to replenish electrolytes and fluids, raise blood pressure, and lower body temperature.
Procedures for sunstroke
– Drink plenty of water
– Seek shade
– If fever develops, take fever-reducing medication.
– Replace fluids and electrolytes through intravenous fluids.
– Take painkillers for headaches.
– Take anti-vomiting medication.
In cases of low blood pressure, measures to increase blood pressure, particularly in the elderly and children, are crucial.
Are some people more at risk for heat stroke?
Young children, the elderly, and individuals with high blood pressure or diabetes are more susceptible to heat stroke. It is essential to keep them in shaded areas and to prevent exposure to extreme heat, as the consequences can be severe. If they experience heat stroke symptoms, immediate medical attention at a hospital emergency room is crucial due to the increased risk of skin burns, other complications, and potentially life-threatening brain damage.
Destroyed in 15 minutes
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heatstroke can take effect within 10 to 15 minutes, resulting in stroke-like effects that can lead to speech difficulties and disability.
Heat Stroke: A Growing Threat in a Warming World
As temperatures rise around the world, it is imperative to take all necessary measures to protect once morest the increasing heat. Although 2023 is the hottest year in recorded history, some climate and environmental scientists expect 2024 to be hotter. According to the UK’s National Weather Service, the number of deaths from global heat is greater than the number of victims of hurricanes, floods and other natural disasters.
The Health Risks of Extreme Heat
Everyone knows that extreme heat has many negative effects on the body and health and is considered one of the most difficult challenges that the world and the health sector in particular can face. According to the World Health Organization, heat stress is the leading cause of climate-related deaths and can worsen health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and asthma. It may also increase the transmission rates of some types of infections.
The Growing Problem of Heat-Related Deaths
Studies between 2000 and 2019 showed that there were 489,000 deaths annually associated with heat stress. Extreme heat waves can increase mortality rates. Due to climate change and its consequences, and with rising temperatures around the world, the rates of people exposed to excessive heat are increasing. The risks associated with exposure to extreme heat are known to increase based on certain physiological factors such as age, health status, and factors associated with levels of heat exposure such as occupation and socioeconomic status.
Understanding Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is one of the risks that may result from exposure to the sun for long hours, whether on the beach or in work conditions that require being outside on hot days, according to what public health physician Dr. Hussein Al-Hawari explains.
Recognizing the Warning Signs
Symptoms to watch out for include:
- Severe fever
- Heavy sweating
- General fatigue
- Laxity
- Headache
- Low temperature
- Dizziness
- Fast heartbeat
- Vomiting
These are the symptoms that Al-Hawari warns once morest as the most common in cases of high temperatures and being outside for long periods of time in the sun. He points out that the body temperature is usually 37 degrees Celsius, but in such conditions it can reach 39 or 40 and then pose a danger to a person’s life. Therefore, heat stroke is a condition that should never be taken lightly and requires rapid medical intervention.
Heat Stroke Recovery
Symptoms of heat stroke may last for a day or two. The affected person may improve within a few days before full recovery occurs, provided that the fluids and minerals lost by the body are replaced.
How to Treat Heat Stroke
Once a person is exposed to heat stroke, and with the first symptoms appearing, the injured person must be moved to a place where he is not exposed to sunlight and is cooler. It is also necessary to reduce the clothing he is wearing to cool his body, in addition to trying to lower the temperature and replace the fluids and salts he lost due to exposure and overexposure to heat.
Al-Hawari also advises using cold water compresses on the head, thighs and under the armpits while waiting for the temperature to drop, if the injured person has not lost consciousness. On the other hand, there are cases where the blood pressure drops excessively and the injured person may lose consciousness. In that case, it is necessary to transfer him to the hospital emergency room and use the serum to replace the salts and fluids he lost and to seek to raise his blood pressure and lower his temperature.
Steps to Prevent Sunstroke
Here are some practical steps you can take to prevent heat stroke:
- Drink plenty of water
- Stay in the shade
- If the temperature rises, you should take fever-reducing medication.
- Replace fluids and salts through serum.
- Take painkillers for headaches.
- Take anti-vomiting medications.
- In case of low blood pressure, work must be done to raise the blood pressure, especially in the elderly or children.
Who is Most at Risk?
Young children, the elderly, and patients with high blood pressure or diabetes are more vulnerable to heat stroke. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that they are in places where they are not exposed to sunlight, but rather remain in the shade. They should also not be exposed to extreme high temperatures because the repercussions may be dangerous for them. However, if they are exposed to this condition, it is necessary to take them immediately to the hospital emergency room due to the increased possibility of skin burns and other complications due to high temperatures. They may also be more vulnerable to brain damage, which may lead to death, hence the importance of taking all necessary precautions with them.
The Time Factor in Heatstroke
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10 to 15 minutes is the time when heatstroke begins to take effect and can cause a stroke-like effect that leads to stuttering and disability.
