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Human-caused climate change has already made heat waves more frequent and intense around the world.
Scientists who study the role of global warming on the climate say that every current heat wave bears the fingerprints of the climate crisis.
Climate change, driven primarily by human burning of fossil fuels, is worsening extreme weather events globally in general, but much of this change is related to heat.
In the United States, heat kills more Americans than any other weather-related disaster, and the situation will only get worse as the planet warms from the burning of fossil fuels.
Here’s what happens to your body in extreme heat, what to watch out for, and how to stay safe.
What’s happening to your body
Normally, your body is accustomed to a certain temperature range, usually between 98 and 99 degrees Fahrenheit (36 and 37 degrees Celsius). When your brain senses a change, whether it’s above or below that, it tries to help your body cool down or warm up, according to Judith Linden, MD, executive vice chair of the department of emergency medicine at Boston Medical Center and professor in the department of emergency medicine at Boston University School of Medicine.
“The brain tries to cool the body in a number of ways. One of the most common ways that we think of is sweating,” Linden says. “The pores open up, the body sweats, and the sweat evaporates, which cools the body.”
The second way your body cools itself is by dilating blood vessels and increasing your heart rate, which helps bring heat and blood to the surface of your body and release that excess heat.
When you are exposed to high temperatures, it becomes harder for your body to try to cool itself down. And if your environment is hot And When you’re wet, sweat doesn’t evaporate as easily — which raises your body temperature even more, according to the Mayo Clinic.
“The higher the humidity, the lower the temperatures have to be to cause extreme heat,” Linden said.
According to the CDC, high body temperature can damage the brain and other vital organs. It can also lead to several heat-related illnesses.
Mild heat-related illnesses including heat cramps, Heat cramps are the most common, Linden said. Heat cramps can develop in people who sweat a lot, especially during exercise. Excessive sweating uses up all the salt and moisture in the body and can lead to muscle pain or spasms, usually in the abdomen, arms or legs, according to the CDC.
A heat rash Skin irritation may also develop. This is a skin irritation caused by excessive sweating in hot, humid weather, and it’s most common in young children, according to the CDC. It’s usually a red cluster of bumps or blisters, which tend to appear in places like the neck, upper chest, or in the creases of the elbows.
When your body begins to exceed its ability to cool itself, you can develop what is called heat exhaustion.
“In this case, you’re going to see excessive sweating because your body is really trying to cope with this extra heat. You’re going to feel dizzy, you can get lightheaded, often people have nausea, headaches and their skin is often pale and clammy and their pulse is often rapid,” Linden said.
“It’s the body’s last attempt to cool itself before reaching a point of no return.”
Heat stroke It is the most serious heat-related illness and, if left untreated, can lead to death.
“That’s where your body temperature goes above about 104 to 105 degrees, and that’s where your mechanisms start to fail,” Linden said.
Warning signs may include extremely high body temperature, red, dry skin, rapid pulse, headache, dizziness, nausea or loss of consciousness, according to the CDC.
According to Linden, the hallmark of heat stroke is confusion and agitation.
“So when someone is exposed to heat and they become confused and agitated, it’s heatstroke until proven otherwise and you need to call 911 or get help immediately and get the person out of the heat.”
Older people, people with chronic illnesses and children are at higher risk of serious heat-related illnesses.
Older adults and people with chronic illnesses may be less likely to sense and respond to temperature changes and may take medications that worsen the effects of heat, the CDC said.
“Very young people too, because they’re less likely to recognize heat-related illnesses and they’re less likely to get out of the heat if they start to get too hot,” Linden said.
Student athletes and pets are also at higher risk, she added.
“In this weather, you should never, ever, ever leave a child or pet in the car for even a minute,” Linden added.
When your community is facing extreme heat, there are several steps you can take to keep yourself and others safe.
First, watch for symptoms of heat exhaustion or other illnesses. “If someone starts feeling dizzy, lightheaded, nauseous or has a headache, that’s the time to take immediate action,” Linden said. “That means getting them out of the heat and into a cool environment.”
Pouring water on a person who is experiencing symptoms and giving them fluids can help cool them down. If a person begins to lose consciousness or has nausea or vomiting, call 911.
“If you see someone with any type of confusion, that’s an immediate red flag,” Linden added.
When it’s hot outside, try to avoid outdoor activities, especially between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., Linden says. If you must go outside, wear light-colored clothing, cover your head and drink plenty of fluids.
Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink water, as this can be a sign of dehydration. Linden recommends drinking at least one glass of water, if not more, every hour.
“If you start to feel dizzy, lightheaded, sweating, a rapid pulse, get out of the heat immediately,” Linden said.
Try to find air conditioning or places in your area where you can go to stay cool, according to Ready.gov. Even spending a few hours at a mall or public library can help.
When you’re at home, fans can help, but don’t rely on them as your only way to cool down: While they may seem more comfortable, they won’t help prevent heat-related illness.
“If you’re in a very hot room, if you have a fan, does that help? No. I think if you have a fan and you can vaporize yourself … then fans can help,” Linden said. “Fans are not foolproof.”
Finally, be sure to check on your neighbors, relatives and friends, especially older people who live alone or are isolated, Linden said.
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