Is Heat Killing Us?
A conservative estimate is that 600+ people die in the U.S. each year due to heat.
On an international level, that number is much higher.
Extreme Heat
Summer is here, the heat is upon us.
https://www.climate.gov/maps-data/data-snapshots/data-source-average-monthly-temperature
Heat is the primary weather-related cause of death in the United States. The estimated mean annual heat-related death toll in the U.S. is about 1500, with extreme heat events accounting for more fatalities annually than the 30-year mean annual number of deaths due to hurricanes, lightning, earthquakes, tornadoes, and floods combined
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5923622/
Anyone can develop heat stress. However, the following groups of people have higher risks for experiencing heat stress or heat-related death:
Infants and children up to four years of age,
People 65 years of age and older,
People who are overweight, and
People who are ill or on certain medications
https://ephtracking.cdc.gov/showClimateChangeExtremeHeat.action
Often we need reminders of the dangers of heat. I received this text today.
According to Cody Lundin, author of “When all Hell Breaks Loose” 76° to 89° degrees F (26° to 30°C) is the ambient temperature the human body likes to maintain its core temperature.
For the sake of this article, we will discuss temperatures above 89°F.
The human body is very resilient. Our bodies will do whatever it can to survive.
In extreme heat, the human body is regulating itself by dumping heat as fast as it can. And it will need your help.
Ambient heat starts building up as the earth rotates throughout the day. The highest temperature of the day is between 3 and 4 pm. After which the sun is low enough on the horizon to allow the earth the opportunity to expel more heat than it is taking in.
https://www.thoughtco.com/high-and-low-temperature-timing-3444247
Complete Infographic can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/cpr/infographics/beattheheat.htm
Risk Factors:
It may be obvious that persons are at greater risk if they are working and playing in the hot sun. Outside workers and recreation seekers need to take breaks from the sun and re-hydrate constantly. Waiting until you are thirsty means that you are already dehydrated and at risk.
Certain members of the population are at risk even if they are not in the direct sun. Usually the elderly and infirm, living without adequate air-conditioning and the ability to maintain hydration can be a death sentence.
An under reviewed cause of heat injury in the urban environment are inadequate construction practices currently used today. The prevalent use of air-conditioning has created a building culture of sealed boxes that rely exclusively on technology to moderate internal temperatures.
Power outages will create living ovens that cannot expel heat because they were not designed to do so.
With air conditioning goes a new kind of architecture, one in which traditional hot-climate devices such as porches, cross-ventilation or pools of water, which create both layers and permeability between inside and out, have given way to sealed boxes. Persian wind-catching towers, or the fountains of the Alhambra, or the humble dogtrot house of the southern US, in which living and cooking quarters are separated by a passage open to the breeze, all proceeded by negotiation between built fabric and the environment. Now it is a matter of technological conquest.
https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/aug/14/how-air-conditioning-created-modern-city
Night time heat can also be a risk factor. This is more important in regions that traditionally rely on managing winter weather. The U.S. North East and Canada have glaring examples of heat-related deaths.
https://www.cnn.com/2016/07/22/weather/dangerous-nighttime-temperatures-heat/index.html
Enclosed spaces without air-conditioning. Yep, cars. Don’t leave a pet, child or an elderly person sitting in the car.
Signs Of Heat Related Illness:
https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/warning.html
Three Categories of Heat illness:
Heat cramps are muscle spasms, often in the abdomen, arms, or calves, caused by
a large loss of salt and water in the body. Heat cramps can occur from prolonged
exposure to extreme heat combined with dehydration, and they commonly happen
while participating in strenuous outdoor activities such as physical labor or sports.
Heat exhaustion is a severe illness requiring emergency medical treatment. It can
occur from exposure to extreme heat over an extended period of time (usually
several days), especially when combined with dehydration.
Heat stroke is the most serious medical condition caused by extreme heat, requiring
emergency treatment. Heat stroke (or hyperthermia) occurs when the body can no
longer regulate its temperature, and its temperature rises rapidly—up to 106°F or
higher. Heat stroke usually occurs as a progression from other heat-related illnesses,
such as heat cramps or heat exhaustion. It can also strike suddenly without prior
symptoms, however, and it can result in death without immediate medical attention.
https://www.cdc.gov/climateandhealth/pubs/extreme-heat-guidebook.pdf
What Can You Do:
Stay Cool:
Stay in an air-conditioned area during the hottest hours of the day. If you don’t have air conditioning in your home, go to a public place such as a shopping mall or a library to stay cool. Cooling stations and senior centers are also available in many large cities for people of all ages.
If you do not have access to air-conditioned areas. Stay out of direct sunlight.
Stay Hydrated:
Drink water often. Don’t wait until you are thirsty.
Do not drink, alcohol or sugary beverages.
Avoid very cold drinks.
Your pets are also in need of water.
Stay Informed:
Check your local news for extreme heat alerts.
Learn the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses and how to treat them.
Although anyone at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others.
https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heattips.html
Who do you know that can benefit from this information?
Share it with them now.
Till next time
“Be Safe”
P.S. Your comment on this article is greatly appreciated.
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