How does extreme heat affect our body and can it be fatal?

 

Heatwave forecast in Pakistan:

The intensity of the heat is continuously increasing, the meteorological department has indicated the possibility of severe heat waves in Punjab and Sindh from May 23 to May 27. The temperature during the day is likely to be 06 to 08 degrees Celsius higher than usual.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, due to the presence of high pressure in the atmosphere, a heat wave situation is likely to occur in most parts of the country, especially Punjab and Sindh, from May 21, which will continue till May 27.

For this reason, the Department of Meteorology has warned that people should take precautionary measures to avoid the heat, while the possible effects of this heat wave and precautionary measures, Department of Meteorology warned that the extremely dry weather and heat wave in Punjab, in affected areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Northeast Baluchistan, bush and forest fires may occur.

The Meteorological Department has directed all concerned agencies to remain alert during the heat wave and take all necessary measures to avoid any untoward incident.

According to the alert from the Department of Meteorology, "due to the increase in temperature, the demand for electricity and water will increase in the coming days", so citizens should take precautionary measures to avoid the heat and go out unnecessarily during the day. He has also been ordered to avoid it.

As we move forward in this article we will try to find out how heat affects the human body, what kind of people heat stroke affects, and can extreme heat be fatal.

What are the effects of extreme heat on our bodies?

As the body temperature warms up, blood vessels begin to dilate. This causes the blood pressure to drop and the heart has to work harder to pump blood around the body.

It can also cause irritation marks on the body and inflammation in your feet. Along with this, due to the loss of water and salts in the body due to sweating, the balance in the body changes.

Low blood pressure can also cause fever with these symptoms:

·         Feeling dizzy.

·         Be unconscious.

·         Get confused.

·         Nausea.

·         Feeling muscle spasms.

·         Having a headache.

·         Sweating profusely.

·         I feel tired.

If the blood pressure drops too much, the chances of a heart attack increase.

Whether we are in a blizzard or a heat wave, our body strives to maintain a temperature of 37.5 degrees Celsius. This is the temperature at which our body has learned to function.

But as the mercury rises, the body has trouble keeping its core temperature down. In these conditions, our body opens up the blood vessels near the skin so that we sweat and lower the body temperature. Sweat dramatically increases heat loss from the skin by drying it out. This process sounds simple, but it puts a lot of stress on the body, meaning that the higher the temperature, the more the stress on the body increases.

These open arteries lower blood pressure and our heart has to work harder to pump blood around the body. Leaking open arteries can cause symptoms such as swelling in the feet and itchy calluses. But if the blood pressure drops too low, less blood will reach the parts of the body that need it the most and the risk of a heart attack will increase.

Move the affected person to a cool place.

If the body temperature decreases within half an hour, there is no need to worry.

The British National Health Service recommends that:

• Move the affected person to a cool place

• Lay him down and raise his feet slightly

• Give him plenty of water, or rehydration drinks or drinks may be given

• Cool the affected person's skin, spray it with cold water and fan it. Ice packs or ice can also be placed near the armpits and neck

However, if the affected person does not feel better within 30 minutes, it means they have a heat stroke. This is an emergency and you should call medical personnel immediately. People suffering from heat stroke may stop sweating even when they are hot. After the affected person's body temperature exceeds 40 degrees Celsius, they may faint or have seizures.

Who is most at risk, including children and the elderly?

Healthy people can protect themselves during a heat wave by using common sense, but some people are more prone to catching the flu. Older people or those with underlying medical conditions such as heart disease may find it difficult to cope with the stress that heat puts on the body.

Diabetes 1 and 2 cause the body to become dehydrated more quickly, and the disease can affect the arteries and the ability to sweat.

It is also important that you understand that your body temperature is too high and that you should do something about it. We don't take it too seriously, but children and people with mental illnesses can be more vulnerable to heat waves.

Homeless people will feel the heat of the sun more and people living on the top of the flats will also experience higher temperatures.

How to stay safe and cool in summer?

 

Can the heat kill you?

Yes. In England alone, 2,000 people die every year due to high temperatures. Many of them die of heart attacks and strokes as the body tries to maintain its normal temperature.

Most deaths occur when temperatures exceed 25-26 degrees Celsius. However, the available evidence suggests that most deaths occur in spring or early summer and not at the height of summer.

Conclusion.

Extreme heat significantly affects the human body by destroying its ability to regulate itself. When exposed to high temperatures, the body tries to cool itself by sweating. Heat stroke is a medical emergency where the body temperature can exceed 104°F, causing possible damage to the brain and other vital organs. If not treated in time, heat stroke can be fatal. It is therefore important to take precautions such as staying hydrated, avoiding direct sunlight during peak hours, and seeking cool environments to reduce the risks associated with heatstroke.