Record-breaking heatwaves across the Northern Hemisphere have again sparked concerns about the danger such blistering temperatures pose to people’s health, particularly children and the elderly.
Such sustained heatwaves can put human bodies under extreme pressure, sometimes leading to dehydration, heatstroke and death.
Research recently found that more than 61,000 people died due to the heat in Europe last summer — and 2023 is shaping up to be even hotter.
How heatwaves affect the body and health
As temperatures rise, the body fights to maintain its normal temperature around 37 degrees Celsius.
The heart ups the tempo, sending sweat to cool down the surface of the skin, the body’s front line against the heat. The skin’s blood vessels also dilate, releasing heat.
But if the heat overwhelms these temperature regulators, it can cause symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, fever and disturbed sleep.
Another early sign is dehydration, which occurs when the body loses more fluids than it takes in.
Heatstroke, which strikes when the body cannot stop its temperature rising past 40C, is considered to be the most serious heat-related illness.
The World Meteorological Organization has warned that repeatedly high overnight minimum temperatures are particularly dangerous to human health, because the body never gets a chance to recover.
Such high overnight minimums — which parts of the United States, Europe and China have been suffering through this week — can lead to heart attacks and death, according to the WMO.
“Whilst most of the attention focuses on daytime maximum temperatures, it is the overnight temperatures which have the biggest health risks, especially for vulnerable populations,” the UN agency said.
Humidity can also overwhelm the body
Humidity during heatwaves can also overwhelm the body.
Sweating helps cool bodies by evaporating off the skin — but if it is too humid, the sweat cannot evaporate.
The combination of heat and humidity is measured by what is known as a “wet bulb” temperature.
Researchers have warned that a wet-bulb temperature of 35 degrees Celsius can kill a healthy young adult within six hours.
This threshold of human survivability has only been reached a couple of times — but experts warn the number of instances will increase as the globe warms.
The most vulnerable
Most vulnerable during heatwaves are the elderly, people who already have health problems, and children — particularly those under five years old.
As people get older, they have fewer sweat glands, making the elderly less able to control their temperature.
During heatwaves, these sweat glands work day and night. After a few days, the sweat glands get exhausted and produce less sweat, increasing the body’s core temperature.
Most of the estimated 61,672 people who died due to the heat in Europe last summer were over the age of 80, according to research.
What to do
During heatwaves people should drink plenty of water and try to stay as cool as possible.
Health authorities recommend people avoid going outside during the hottest part of the day — and if possible spend a couple of hours in a cool place, such as an air-conditioned cinema, library or museum.
They also advise people avoid to physical exertion or drinking alcohol.
And, because social isolation can be a factor, it is advisable to regularly check in with friends and family.
© Agence France-Presse
