Because of climate change, heat waves happen more often and are stronger every year. A lot of people think that extreme heat is just a bother, but it's actually a growing health problem.
Not only do rising temperatures make you feel bad, they can also cause serious health problems, some of which may not be clear at first.
Heat waves hurt people's bodies in quiet ways, especially those who are already weak. They can make people dehydrated and thicken their blood, which can lead to heart problems and organ damage.
What Heat Waves do to Your Body?
1. Blood gets thicker, which makes clots more likely.
When you're really hot, your body tries to cool down by sweating and losing water. In turn, this makes the person thirsty, which makes the blood stronger and more concentrated.
Blood that is thicker moves more slowly, which raises the chance of blood clots, strokes, and heart attacks, especially in older adults and people who already have heart problems.
2. The heat makes the heart work harder.
To keep the body at the right temperature, the heart has to pump more blood to the skin to get rid of heat.
Extra stress like this can cause heart attacks, arrhythmias, and even sudden cardiac death in people who already have heart disease or high blood pressure.
Studies have shown that more people are hospitalized for heart problems during heat waves.
3. A greater chance of heat stroke and organ damage.
Long-term contact in high temperatures can make it impossible for the body to cool itself down. This can cause heat stroke, a condition in which the body's temperature rises to dangerous levels and is life-threatening.
If you don't treat this right away, it could lead to brain swelling, heart failure, or even death. People don't always get the right diagnosis for heat stroke because its symptoms—confusion, dizziness, and passing out—are often confused for other health problems.
4. Heat makes blood disorders worse.
Some blood diseases, like sickle cell disease or anaemia, can make being in high heat even more dangerous. Pain crises can happen to people with sickle cell anaemia and become worse when they are dehydrated or don't get enough air.
5. Heat makes the immune system weaker.
Surprisingly, high heat can also weaken the immune system, which makes the body more likely to get sick.
Some studies show that being in heat for a long time may change the production of white blood cells, making the body less able to fight off viruses and germs.
Who is most likely to be hurt?
Heat waves affect everyone, but some groups are more likely to be hurt than others:
People over 65: Their hearts and sweat glands don't work as well, which makes it harder for them to cool down.
Little kids and babies: They get hotter than adults faster.
People who already have heart disease, diabetes, or breathing problems: Being in the heat can make their symptoms worse.
People who have blood disorders: Being dehydrated makes problems worse.
People who work outside or play sports: Long-term contact raises the risk of heat-related illnesses.
Are Heat Waves Getting Worse?
Yes. India and other tropical places are already suffering heat waves that are breaking records. Because of global warming, these very high temperatures are happening more often, for longer periods of time, and in more places. As a result? More and more sickness and deaths are happening because of the heat.
In fact, recent heat waves in India have sent thousands to the hospital and killed many. These deaths and injuries have happened mostly in cities, where concrete traps heat and creates dangerously high temperatures called "urban heat islands."
How to Stay Safe During Heat Waves?
1. Keep yourself hydrated: Even if you don't feel thirsty, drink a lot of water throughout the day. Stay away from caffeine and alcohol because they can make you lose water.
2. Stay cool: Use fans, take cool showers, and stay inside from noon to four o'clock in the afternoon.
3. Wear light-coloured, loose clothing: Dark colours keep you warm, but loose fabrics let sweat escape, keeping you cooler.
4. Know the Signs: Feeling dizzy, confused, having a fast heartbeat, feeling sick, or sweating a lot can all be signs of heat stress. If someone stops sweating and their skin feels dry and hot, they may be having heat stroke. Get them to the hospital right away.
5. Check on Vulnerable People: During heat waves, make sure everyone you know who is older and frail is safe and drinking enough water.
This isn't just bad weather; heat waves are also a serious and growing threat to public health. As the temperature keeps going up, we need to protect ourselves and those who are most at risk.
We can lower the health risks of extreme heat by learning more about it, noticing the signs of heat-related illness, and making small changes to how we live. Not only is the fight against climate change important for the earth, but it's also important for our health and survival.
