CNN
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Human-caused climate change has already made heat waves around the world more frequent and intense.
Scientists who study the role of global warming in weather say that every heat wave today bears the fingerprints of the climate crisis.
Climate change, caused primarily by humans burning fossil fuels, is generally worsening global weather extremes, but much of this change is related to heat.
In the United States, heat kills more Americans than any other weather-related disaster, and things will continue to get worse as global temperatures rise due to the burning of fossil fuels.
Here’s what happens to your body in extreme heat, what you need to watch out for and how to stay safe.
What happens to your body
Normally, your body is accustomed to a certain range of temperatures, usually between 97 to 99 degrees Fahrenheit. When your brain senses a change — either lower or higher — it tries to help your body cool down or warm up, according to Dr. Judith Linden, executive vice president of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Boston Medical Center and a professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine.
“There are a number of different ways that (the brain) tries to cool the body. One way, which is the most common way that we think of, is sweating,” Linden said. “The pores open, the body sweats, the sweat evaporates, and that’s what cools the body. ”
The second way your body cools itself is by dilating your blood vessels and increasing your heart rate, which helps bring heat and blood to the surface of your body and helps release that excess heat.
When you are exposed to high temperatures, it becomes difficult for your body to try to keep up with the process of cooling itself. And if your environment is hot and Wet, sweat doesn’t evaporate easily, pushing your body temperature higher, according to The Verge Mayo Clinic.
“The higher the humidity, the lower the temperatures you need for extreme heat,” Linden said.
High body temperatures can damage the brain and other vital organs Center for Disease Control He says. It can also lead to many heat-related illnesses.
Mild heat-related illnesses, incl heat cramps, It’s the most common, Linden said. Heat cramps can occur in people who sweat a lot, including during exercise. Excessive sweating consumes all of the body’s salts and moisture, and can lead to muscle pain or spasms, usually in the abdomen, arms, or legs, according to the “healthline” website. Center for Disease Control.
A Heat rash It can also evolve. This is a skin irritation caused by excessive sweating in hot, humid weather, and is more common in young children, according to the CDC. It is usually a red cluster of pimples or blisters, and tends to be located in places including the neck, upper chest, or in the creases of the elbow.
When your body begins to outgrow its ability to cool itself, you can develop what is known as… Heat exhaustion.
“In this case, you’ll see increased sweating because your body will really be trying to keep up with that extra heat. You’ll feel dizzy, you may feel lightheaded, people often experience nausea and headaches, their skin often looks pale and clammy, and their pulse often quick,” Linden said.
“This is the body’s last attempt to cool itself before it reaches the point of no return.”
Heatstroke It is the most serious of heat-related illnesses and, if left untreated, can lead to death.
“This is where your body temperature exceeds 104 to 105 degrees or so, and this is where your mechanisms start to fail,” Linden said.
Warning signs may include extremely high body temperatures, red and dry skin, rapid pulse, headache, dizziness, nausea, or loss of consciousness, according to the CDC.
The hallmark of heatstroke is confusion and agitation, Linden said.
“So when someone is exposed to heat and becomes disoriented and agitated, that is heat stroke until proven otherwise and you need to call 911 for that or get help immediately and get the person out of the heat.”
Older adults, people with chronic medical conditions, as well as children are more susceptible to severe heat-related illness.
Older adults and people with chronic medical conditions may be less likely to sense and respond to temperature changes and may take medications that make the effects of heat worse. Center for Disease Control He said.
“Younger people too, because they’re less likely to recognize heat-related illnesses and less likely to go out of the heat if they start to feel overheated,” Linden said.
Student athletes and pets are also at greater risk, she added.
“In this weather, you should never leave a child or pet in the car even for one minute,” Linden added.
When your community faces extreme heat, there are several things you can do to keep yourself and others safe.
First, watch for symptoms of heat exhaustion or other illnesses. “If someone starts to feel dizzy, lightheaded, nauseous or have a headache, now is the time to act immediately,” Linden said. “This means taking them out of the heat and into a cool environment.”
Putting water on someone who may be experiencing symptoms and giving them fluids can help cool them down. If someone begins to lose consciousness or experience nausea or vomiting, call 911.
“If you see anyone experiencing 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., according to Linden. If you have to go out, wear light-colored clothing, cover your head, and drink plenty of fluids.
Don’t wait until you feel thirsty to drink water, as this may be a sign of dehydration. Linden recommends drinking at least one cup of water — or more — per hour.
“If you start to feel dizzy, lightheaded, sweating, and have a rapid pulse, get away from the heat immediately,” Linden said.
Try to find air conditioning, or places in your area where you can go to stay cool, accordingly Ready, hollow. Even spending a few hours at the 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 off — while they may make you feel more comfortable, they won’t help prevent heat-related illness.
“If you’re in a very hot room, and you have a fan, does that help? No,” Linden said. “I think if you have a fan, and you’re able to cheat on yourself…fans can be helpful.” “Fans are not foolproof.”
Finally, be sure to check in on your neighbors, parents and friends, especially older individuals who may live alone or isolated, Linden says.
