Everyone can be vulnerable to heat, but some more so than others.
According to The Impacts Of Climate Change On Human Health In The United States: A Scientific Assessment the following groups are particularly vulnerable to heat; check in with friends and relatives who fall in one of these populations, especially if they don’t have air conditioning.
- Young children and infants are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness and death, as their bodies are less able to adapt to heat than are adults.
- Older adults, particularly those with pre-existing diseases, who take certain medications, are living alone or with limited mobility, and are exposed to extreme heat can experience multiple adverse effects.
- People with chronic medical conditions are more likely to have serious health problems during a heat wave than healthy people.
- Pregnant women are also at higher risk. Extreme heat events have been associated with adverse birth outcomes such as low birth weight, preterm birth, and infant mortality, as well as congenital cataracts.
Tips for staying safe in extreme heat:
Hydrate. Whether you feel thirsty or not, drink plenty of water to avoid becoming dehydrated, especially when you’re working or exercising outside.
Educate yourself. Keep up with the latest temperature and heat index forecasts and current readings (take actions to stay cool and safe when the temperatures hit 85 degrees or the heat index hits 90 degrees). Know the warning signs of a heat illness, and how to stay cool.
Act quickly when a heat illness is suspected. Seek medical attention immediately for any of these, warning signs: cramping, rapid pulse, heavy sweating, hot red skin, dizziness, confusion, nausea, vomiting.
Take it easy. Anyone working or exercising outdoors should avoid overexertion, especially between 11 am and 6 pm. Take hourly breaks in the shade or in air conditioning.
TIPS FOR TREATMENT OF A PERSON AFFECTED BY SUNSTROKE:
Lay the person in a cool place, under a shade. Wipe her/him with a wet cloth/wash the body frequently. Pour normal-temperature water on the head. The main thing is to bring down the body temperature.
Give the person ORS to drink or lemon sarbat/torani or whatever is useful to rehydrate the body.
Take the person immediately to the nearest health centre. The patient needs immediate hospitalization, as heat strokes could be fatal.
Acclimatization
People at risk are those who have come from a cooler climate to a hot climate. You may have such a person(s) visiting your family during the heat wave season. They should not move about in an open field for one week till the body is acclimatized to heat and should drink plenty of water. Acclimatization is achieved by gradual exposure to a hot environment during a heat wave.
Ref:
https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat
https://www.ndma.gov.in/Natural-Hazards/Heat-Wave/Dos-Donts
Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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