27 years
What are the health risks of a hot climate, particularly when the temperature is high?
Aug 3, 2015
1- Heat rash
2- Dehydration
When not drinking sufficient amounts of water (mainly) and fluids during the hot season, the body ends up being short on water and other fluids to be able to function normally. Common symptoms of dehydration include fatigue/lassitude, dizziness, poor level of concentration/mental fogging, irritability, thirst, dark yellow urine (concentrated), loss of appetite, and maybe loss of consciousness/fainting.
Dehydration can be easily prevented by regularly and consistently drinking plenty of water or fruit juice; tea, coffee and alcohol drive fluids of the body (diuretic effect) and do not count as a good option for fluid intake and should be thus avoided or minimized. Staying in cool (preferably air-conditioned) places is also important. Otherwise, washing up frequently with fresh cool water is a good idea.
People who sweat excessively when going through strenuous activity end up losing significant amounts of salt and water from their bodies. This can lead to heat cramps in the form of muscle pains or spasms. Heat cramps can also be an early symptom of heat exhaustion.
If such symptoms do occur while performing a physical activity, this activity must be discontinued and the affected person ought to sit or lie in a cool place (preferably air-conditioned) and raise their legs up. Drinking water, taking a cool shower, massaging the arms or legs to alleviate the spasms and applying cool packs are helpful measures in such cases. A few hours’ time lapse must be allowed before resuming activity.
4- Heat exhaustion
When the body loses water and salt in excess (in sweat), heat exhaustion settles in. Heat exhaustion is characterized by excessive diffuse sweating, skin pallor, fast and weak pulse rate,fast and shallow breathing, muscle weakness or cramps, tiredness and generalized weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea/vomiting, and sometimes fainting.
Moving the affected person to a cool place (preferably with AC) and having them lie down is the 1st step to take in case symptoms of heat exhaustion are noted. If the person is overdressed, excess clothing must be removed. Of course, small sips of cold water or fluid should be given. If the person is fully awake, they need to have a cool shower; if this is not possible, an alternative would be to place cool packs under the armpits, on the groin or on the back of the neck.
5- Heat stroke
Under conditions of extreme heat, the centers in the body responsible for regulating body temperature may fail to exert full control, so the body temperature goes above 40.5 °C, because the sweating mechanism becomes dysfunctional. Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness and is a life-threatening emergency. Along with an abrupt elevation in body temperature, the skin of the person affected by a heat stroke turns red, hot and dry (because sweating has stopped). Their tongue becomes dry swollen tongue. A fast pulse is felt, and the patient would be exhibiting rapid but shallow respiration. Nausea and vomiting may occur. The patient would complain of a severe headache, dizziness, seem confused and not able to focus, may have slurred (incomprehensible) speech. The affected individual may also display aggressive or bizarre behavior, loss of consciousness, go into convulsion and even coma.
Calling for professional medical help is crucial in this case. Meanwhile, the affected person must be moved to a cooler environment and kept as still as possible. Excess clothing removed and cooling the body down with cold water are necessary. In cases of suspected heat stroke, aspirin or paracetamol should be avoided as they may actually be harmful.
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