Extreme heat may increase relative risk of death – 11/14/2023 – Balance and Health

The historic heat wave that hits the entire country can cause and worsen health problems in people with comorbidities, as well as children and the elderly, and requires specific care.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), heat gain in the human body can be caused by a combination of external heat from the environment and internal body heat generated from metabolic processes.

Exposure to hotter than average heat compromises the body’s ability to regulate temperature and can cause malaise, exhaustion, heatstroke and hyperthermia. Dehydration caused by increased sweating is also a problem.

“The most common symptoms of dehydration are cramps, dizziness, headache and nausea. When the body loses its ability to thermoregulate, more serious conditions can occur with symptoms of vomiting, bleeding, changes in consciousness, fainting, multiple organ dysfunction and even risk of death”, says sports medicine professor Carla Tavares.

Previous problems, such as diseases of the cardiovascular system, respiratory tract and kidneys, can also be aggravated during periods of high temperature, according to research carried out in Germany.

A 2021 study published in the international journal The Lancet, with data from the USA, China and Brazil, showed that hot weather increases the risk of death in patients with ischemic heart disease, stroke, cardiomyopathy and myocarditis, hypertension, diabetes, chronic disease , kidney disease, lower respiratory infection.

“Research shows that in extreme temperatures, the relative risk of death increases by 5.7% for every 1°C warmer, and 3.4% for every 1°C colder,” says Tavares.

In a private environment, people should stay hydrated, wear cool clothes and, if possible, in covered places with a controlled or mild temperature. A survey carried out in June 2022 in Latin America and published by the journal Nature Medicine shows that the cold still causes more deaths in this area of ​​the globe, but that mortality increases more with heat.

To protect yourself from problems caused by high temperatures, it is worth paying attention to hydration (always carry a bottle of water), nutrition (fruits with a high water content, such as pineapple, orange and watermelon, as well as fresh vegetables), physical exercise as appropriate and use of sun protection and appropriate clothing.

The doctor recommends avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, which increases the risk of dehydration, and staying active. More strenuous activities should be carried out between 4am and 7am and families and neighborhoods should talk about measures and monitoring of the most vulnerable. In case of muscle spasms, do not give or consume “acetylsalicylic acid or paracetamol” and seek medical help.

“Remember to choose cooler times to exercise, wear light clothing (they help eliminate excess heat from the body), enhance hydration and use sunscreen, including lip balm,” he says.

People can act by keeping the temperature of their homes and work spaces below 32°C during the day and 24°C at night, which can be done by using blinds and curtains where the sun shines, reducing the heat load. inside the property by reducing the number of lights and electrical equipment on, cold showers, opening windows during the cooler period and placing wet towels in the room.

Furthermore, it is important to be aware of the appearance of warning signs or symptoms of dehydration and hyperthermia. “In these cases, in addition to maintaining preventative care, seek medical attention for early evaluation and treatment.”