Extreme Heat and Its Impact - An Overview

Introduction

Human beings adjust to their environment over an extended time. Scientific research demonstrates that humans are more susceptible to the associated health impacts of extremes when both warmer and colder temperatures rapidly exceed or fall below the average temperature suddenly. According to studies, climate change would significantly increase the intensity and frequency of severe temperature extremes, increasing the risk of sickness and mortality associated with these circumstances.

What Is Extreme Heat?

Temperatures during the summer that are much higher and are more humid than usual are referred to as extreme heat. Different regions and places of the world have different temperatures, and hence it depends on what is regarded as average for a given region at that time of year because some places are hotter than others. Conditions that are muggy and humid might make it feel hotter than it is.

Why Do People Get Sick in the Heat?

Whenever the body cannot cool itself, problems like exhaustion from heat or heat stroke can develop. While the body generally cools itself through perspiring, in conditions of high heat, this may not be sufficient. In these situations, a person's body temperature increases more quickly than it can lower itself. The brain and other important organs may suffer harm as a result.

Who Is Affected by Extreme Heat and What Precautions Should Be Taken?

The most vulnerable groups include the elderly, the very young, and patients with chronic illnesses and mental disorders. If individuals engage in physically demanding activities in hot weather, even healthy and young people may have negative effects.

1) Geriatric Population

• Using air conditioners and not just relying on fans to cool off.

• Wearing loose and light clothing.

• Drinking ample amounts of water.

• Avoid cooking.

• Avoid any form of strenuous exercise and taking rest.

• Cool baths and showers are recommended.

2) Children and Infants

• Never leave kids unattended.

• Make sure the kids drink lots of water and avoid any sugary drinks.

• Wearing loose and lightweight clothing.

3) People with Chronic Diseases

• Avoid any form of strenuous exercise.

• Sweating depletes sodium and other minerals from the body. Check with the healthcare worker to make sure it is replenished at the earliest.

4) Pregnant Women

• Avoid any form of strenuous exercise as it increases sweating and increases body temperature, which can harm the baby.

• Make sure to consult with the doctor regarding replenishment of the loss of nutrients as a result of sweating.

5) Outdoor Laborers and Workers

• Application of sunscreen while working outside.

• Avoid using any alcoholic beverage or drinks with high sugar content.

• Drinking plenty of water.

• Loose-fitting and lightweight clothes, along with a hat to cover the head and face are preferred.

• Avoid working mid-day.

6) Athletes

• Do not schedule any activities during mid-day.

• Activities should be started at a slower pace and gradually increased.

• Drink lots of water.

• Application of sunscreen is beneficial.

What Are the Other Threats Posed by Extreme Heat?

Extreme heat can make other forms of calamities more likely to occur. Drought may be significantly worsened by heat, and wildfires can be sparked by hot, dry weather. The urban heat island is an occurrence where temperatures in metropolitan centers can be 1 to 7 degrees Fahrenheit higher than in outlying areas as a result of buildings, roads, and infrastructure that absorb heat. The impact is greatest during the day, although cities can remain significantly hotter than the surrounding areas overnight due to the infrastructure's delayed release of heat or an atmospheric heat island. People, ecosystems, and the economy are all at risk as a result of the nation's rising temperatures.

• Human Beings - One of the main factors contributing to weather-related mortality worldwide is extreme heat. Humans experience heat stress when their bodies are unable to cool down adequately. High humidity and temperatures are expected to be major contributing factors to the development of heat-related illnesses and fatalities. If the temperature does not drop at night, it can be uncomfortable and detrimental, especially for those without access to proper cooling. They include people from low socioeconomic status. Other people who are at risk are children, older people, infants, and individuals with chronic health problems like respiratory and cardiac issues. Extreme temperatures also have an impact on the quality of the air. High-temperature days with lots of sunshine may contribute to the generation of ground-level ozone, a dangerous pollutant that is the principal ingredient in smog and can impair the respiratory system. Asthmatics are especially vulnerable to this pollutant's effects. Additionally, increased air conditioning uses more power, which releases various pollutants, including particles that also affect the quality of the air.

• Agriculture - Agriculture may suffer from high heat. High daytime temperatures have a deleterious effect on plant development, as some crops need chilly nights. Additionally, heat waves raise the possibility of heat stress in cattle, particularly when nighttime temperatures are high, and animals struggle to cool off. Cattle that are overheated may produce less milk, develop more slowly, and have fewer calves. Heat waves may make droughts and wildfires worse, which might have detrimental effects on the agriculture industry.

• Energy - The generation, distribution, and demand of energy are all impacted by rising temperatures. While greater summertime temperatures raise the need for electricity for cooling, they can also reduce the capacity of transmission lines to transport power, which might result in problems with electrical dependability, like blackouts during heat waves.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Heat-Related Illnesses?

• Heat Stroke - Patients might suffer from elevated body temperature, dizziness, headache, red and dry skin, increased pulse, nausea, and loss of consciousness. Upon experiencing such symptoms, they must be shifted to a cooler place and should be provided with cool baths and clothes.

• Heat Exhaustion - The individual experience heavy sweating, weak pulse, dizziness, nausea, tiredness, cold skin, loss of consciousness, and extreme tiredness. The patient must be shifted to a cooler place and should be provided with a cool shower and loose clothes. If the symptoms worsen, medical care should be immediately taken.

• Heat Cramps - The person experiences spasms of the muscles and heavy sweating while exercising. The person should move to a cooler place and drink water. They must wait for the spasm or the cramps to subside before resuming their normal activities. Medical attention is required if the person has a cardiac problem or is on a low-sodium diet.

• Heat Rash - Appearance of groups of small and red blisters, mainly in the back, chest, and elbow. A cool temperature and dry skin is the prime requirement for the heat rashes to subside. The area is kept dried using prickly heat (both adults and children can get the condition known as prickly heat as a result of sweat becoming trapped beneath the skin) powder or baby powder.

• Sunburn - Individuals experience warm and red skin. Blisters may also appear on the skin. The person should try to avoid the sun for the sunburn to heal. Loose clothing and cool baths are recommended. The area should be properly moisturized, and the blisters should be left untouched.

What Measures Should Be Taken to Reduce the Risk of Extreme Heat?

Environmental modifications may serve as useful safeguards against the impacts of climate change and for the protection of human health. In urban situations, green areas and cutting-edge innovations like cool roofs might be beneficial. Communities can be protected from the negative effects of excessive heat by adaptation strategies like greater accessibility to air conditioning or cooling facilities. Additional examples include using sound landscape design, such as planting trees to provide healthy exercise areas and shade public places. These acts also contribute towards the reduction of greenhouse emissions.

Conclusion

To better understand how temperature change affects human health, research, and its translation are essential. Additionally, studies into early alert systems or heat wave response techniques can aid in preparing people as well as communities. Most importantly, people must consider the problem of extreme heat as a social responsibility and hence act wisely so that the future generation can lead a peaceful life.