It has caused dozens of deaths around the world.. What is heat stress and what are its most prominent risks?

Arabia Weather - After the World Meteorological Organization classified the year 2024 as the hottest ever, health experts issued serious warnings about the threats of “heat stress,” which led to the death of dozens in countries such as India, Mexico, and Greece.

Although hurricanes, floods or other extreme weather events receive more attention, "heat stress" causes the death of more people. Therefore, scientists have called it the "silent killer" due to the seriousness of its impact. This is what was stated in a report carried by the Indian website “NDTV”.

What is heat stress?

Answer: Heat stress or heat exhaustion (in English: Heat Exhaustion) is a condition in which the internal body temperature rises as a result of exposure to high temperatures for a long period. The affected person suffers from headaches, fatigue, and other symptoms after performing physical activity or being in an area with a hot and humid climate for periods. long.

Heat exhaustion is usually accompanied by dehydration, as the body maintains its internal temperature by increasing sweating, which leads to the loss of fluids and salts, and this is indicated by the dark color of urine, as the body stops losing fluids in the urine to preserve the largest possible amount of it.

The body can initially deal with high temperatures by increasing the secretion of sweat, but this requires a large amount of fluids and some salts, as well as a suitable climate for the evaporation of sweat. Therefore, it is necessary to compensate for the lack of fluids and salts by drinking large amounts of fluids to prevent dehydration and the development of symptoms.

The most prominent dangers of heat stress

When the body is exposed to high heat for a long period, it is unable to maintain the internal body temperature, so it begins to rise, and symptoms such as headache, lethargy, and muscle spasms appear.

When a person is exposed to high temperatures for long periods of time, he develops various types of thermal disorders, such as heat cramps, heat stroke, and heat exhaustion. These disorders vary in their symptoms and severity, and require rapid treatment.

Symptoms of heat stress

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

• High internal body temperature, which may reach 41 degrees Celsius.
• Feeling tired, lethargic and exhausted.
• Vomiting and nausea.
• Dizziness and loss of consciousness, especially when standing up quickly, due to low blood pressure.
• Excessive thirst.
• Increased heart rate.
• Pale skin tends to darken.
• Dark urine, evidence of dehydration.
• Muscle spasm.
• Profuse sweating, which may stop later, making the condition more serious.

Treatment of heat exhaustion

Treatment for heat exhaustion includes:

• Stop any physical activity immediately.
• Move to a cool, shaded place.
• Cool the body with cold water.
• Remove clothing to allow air to circulate.
• Drink large amounts of fluids and salts.
• Avoid drinks containing caffeine.

If symptoms persist or worsen, you must go to a medical center to receive intravenous fluids and salts, and take fever-reducing and pain-relieving medications.

Heat stress prevention

To prevent heat exhaustion, it is recommended to:

• Avoid physical activities in places with high heat and humidity for long periods.
• Drink fluids and salts regularly.
• Take intermittent breaks in cool places.
• Avoid direct exposure to sunlight between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
• Wear loose, light-colored clothing to reduce heat absorption and sweating.

See also:

Thermal injuries are common during the Hajj season

In hot weather, one button on the air conditioning remote helps save on the electricity bill

Sources:

altibbi