Extreme Heat: Understanding how high temperatures affect your body and health

Thermal stress induces the organism to initiate a series of physiological adaptations; The prediction is that next year will be even warmer

EINSTEIN AGENCY – Summer in the southern hemisphere hasn’t started yet, but Brazil is already facing days of Heat intense – and the trend is to get worse, given that the weather forecast indicates record temperatures in the coming days, with thermometers that will mark around 5º above average, and for a prolonged period. Exposure to extreme heat associated with dry climate without basic care can cause changes in the body that pose health risks, especially for children, the elderly and people with health problems. with this, all precautions are few.

Our body maintains an internal temperature around 36 ºC. When we are exposed to thermal stress (in this case, high temperatures), the organism reacts and initiates a series of physiological adaptations to try to regulate the internal temperature and cool down. The first reaction is eliminate heat through sweatwhich is a natural mechanism.

“Intense heat can have significant impacts on the cardiovascular system, posing a growing concern as global temperatures continue to rise due to climate change. As the thermometer rises, our bodies face challenges in regulating core temperatures, which can result in a series of negative effects on the cardiovascular system. the cardiovascular system,” said cardiologist Marcelo Franken, director of cardiology at the Israelita Albert Einstein Hospital and director of the Society of Cardiology of the State of São Paulo (Socesp).

The problem is that excess sweat, if not accompanied by adequate oral hydration, can lead to symptoms of dehydration. Franken points out that dehydration decreases blood volume and, in turn, affects blood pressure. Dehydration also makes your blood thicker, increasing the risk of blood clots. Additionally, heat stress places an additional load on the heart, causing it to pump faster to dissipate heat from the body.

People with pre-existing heart conditions such as hypertension, coronary heart disease and heart failure are at greater risk of complications related to intense heat.

“High temperatures can trigger heart attacks and arrhythmias, as the heart has to work harder to keep body temperature under control. It is essential to take precautions during heat waves, such as staying hydrated, avoiding direct exposure to the sun and seeking environments with air conditioning or adequate ventilation,” recommends Franken.

Risk of heat stroke

And the effects of heat on the body don’t stop there. When the temperature is very high and the person is still exposed to the sun, the body may experience heat stroke, characterized by an increase in body temperature, red and hot skin, dry skin, headache, confusion, nausea and even fainting .

“This condition is potentially dangerous and requires immediate attention, as it can cause serious damage to the body and, in extreme cases, risk of death. It is essential to seek shelter in the shade, hydrate and refresh the body in case of suspected heatstroke, “he advises.

Experts explain that dry air also affects health. The very high temperatures associated with dry and polluted air lead to dryness of the mucous membranes, especially those of the nose and mouth. Side effects include nosebleeds, difficulty breathing, coughing and even asthma attacks in susceptible people.

“Whenever extreme changes in air humidity or temperature occur, some respiratory problems may occur due to changes in the mucous membranes. Therefore, the ideal is to try to stay in environments where the relative air humidity is adequate [usar um umidificador é uma opção] and the use of saline solution when the weather is very hot and dry also helps prevent respiratory diseases,” emphasized infectious disease specialist Emy Akiyama Gouveia, of the Israelite Albert Einstein Hospital.

There is also concern among infectologists about the emergence of emerging infectious diseases, such as dengue, which is starting to appear where it normally did not. “We have had dengue epidemics in southern Europe in places we had not imagined. With changes due to climate imbalance, we may see an increase in some vector-dependent diseases,” suggests the infectious disease specialist.

Extreme temperatures and mortality

According to research published last year in the journal Nature, extreme temperatures (cold and heat) were responsible for almost 6% of deaths in Latin American cities. The study “Salud Urbana em América Latina” (Salurbal) saw the participation of the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and the University of São Paulo (USP) and analyzed the relationship between hot and cold days and mortality in 326 cities in nine Latin countries.

To arrive at their findings, the researchers analyzed more than 15 million deaths and compared them to daily ambient temperatures in the cities studied.

One of the conclusions was that extreme temperatures were linked to mortality from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, especially among the elderly and children, who represent the most vulnerable group. According to research, on very hot days, a one degree Celsius increase in temperature was linked to a 5.7% increase in deaths.. At the same time, about 10% of deaths from respiratory infections have been attributed to the intense cold.

The heat will continue

Last Wednesday (8) the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released a statement underlining that the El Niño climate phenomenon, currently underway, is expected to last at least until April 2024, influencing climate models and contributing to further increasing temperatures in a year that is poised to become the hottest on record – meteorologists even say the year 2024 could be even hotter. The phenomenon reached a moderate intensity in September this year and will probably reach a new peak between November and January 2024.

According to meteorologists, El Niño occurs on average every two to seven years and typically lasts 9 to 12 months. This is a natural climate pattern associated with warming of the ocean surface; the problem is that it occurs in a climate context that has been altered by human activities.

In the city of Sao Paulo, temperatures are expected to exceed 37ºC this weekend and reach 40ºC indoors, according to Climatempo forecasts. Next week the heat continues and increases even more, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees in Tocantins, Bahia, Piauí and Espírito Santo.

How to protect yourself from the heat?

It is essential to protect yourself from the heat and stay hydrated on days with very high temperatures. Among the main recommendations are:

• Drink plenty of water and do not replace it with alcoholic beverages;
• Eat light, cold meals several times a day;
• Keep your home cool with windows open;
• Take colder showers;
• Prefer airy environments and avoid crowds;
• Protect yourself from the sun with a hat, sunglasses, light clothing and sunscreen;
• Use saline solution in the eyes and nostrils;
• Do not do physical activity during the times of greatest incidence of UV rays, from 11:00 to 17:00.

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.