By Isabela Gee
As temperatures begin to rise with the changing of seasons, our bodies start to recognize and react to the gradually increasing warmth of our environments. It is important to understand our body’s natural reactions to heat in order to properly treat and combat conditions brought about by hot weather. Education on these harmful, and possibly fatal, effects is crucial in supplementing the preparedness of our communities in the circumstance of an unprecedented heat wave. The week of June 25th, 2021 left behind devastation for British Columbians in Canada due to an unexpected heat wave. 777 deaths were recorded there during that week: nearly four times the average. Most of these fatalities are suspected to have occurred as a result of the overwhelmingly hot environment as well as a lack of preparedness amongst British Columbians. Events such as these can be counteracted if more education was put towards the dangers and preventions of the causes done by the inevitable and environmentally caused heat.
To understand the human body’s reaction to heat, we must first recognize how temperature is regulated in our bodies under normal circumstances. Metabolic heat, the internal heat of our bodies, is generated through certain biochemical processes in order to keep us alive and functioning. Metabolic heat can also be produced through any form of physical activity. As the human body performs physical activities, our bodies gain heat from the air around us through a process called convection—a process whereby the human body exchanges heat from the air for our internal, metabolic heat. With this being said, due to this process in high temperature environments, our bodies are more prone to “overheating”.
Not everyone reacts to heat the same way. There are several differing factors that create unique situations for each person. Generally, the state of one’s overall health will determine their ability for their body to react to heat. There are numerous examples of circumstances that affect one’s ability to combat high temperatures. These include, but are not limited to:
People with severe mental illness
Those battling chronic illnesses
Those suffering substance abuse
Those in poor physical condition
The elderly
Those who work in professions that involve long periods of exposure to heat (either outdoors or indoors) such as those working in construction or at a pizzeria for example
A prolonged amount of exposure to heat can quickly lead to heat exhaustion. Symptoms include headache, fatigue, dizziness, thirst, and heavy sweating. In order to treat heat exhaustion, move the person to a shaded, cool location. Be sure to remove as much of their clothing as possible and apply a dampened cloth - or ice - to their face and neck. A spray bottle with cold water will certainly come in handy as well. In order to relieve their discomfort, encourage the person to drink liquids and stay hydrated.
In some cases, heat exhaustion will develop to become a heat stroke, which is considered a medical emergency and will require 911. Symptoms include confusion, a high body temperature, hot/dry skin, nausea, flushed and red skin. In order to provide first aid for heat stroke, call 911 and stay with the person until emergency services arrive. Move the person to a cool and shaded area while removing as many articles of clothing as you can. Dampen the person's clothing and skin with cold water and apply wet cloth to the person's face, neck, head, groin and armpits. Though heat exhaustion and heat strokes seem very similar, they are completely different conditions that require different forms of first aid.
Amidst the increasing heat, it’s important to understand how to properly stay cool. In situations of high extreme heat, fans do more damage than good. They do not produce any cold air, but rather circulate the existing hot air. This only works to increase - rather than lower - a person’s body temperature. However, fans can be helpful so long as a person regularly sprays or dampens their body with cold water. The fans will then work to cool the moisture on one’s skin. Ultimately, it is recommended to keep an air conditioning unit in your home for the summer, as it truly will make all the difference and largely reduce any risk of potential heat exhaustion or stroke.
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