4 EFFECTS OF HEAT WAVE ON THE BODY
What does heat do to our bodies?
Blood vessels dilate as the body heats up. This lowers blood pressure and forces the heart to work harder to circulate blood throughout the body. This may cause minor symptoms such as itching heat rash or swollen feet. Sweating, on the other hand, causes a loss of fluids and salt, as well as a shift in the body’s fluid and salt balance. Heat exhaustion can result from this, especially when accompanied by low blood pressure.
Symptoms include:
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Fainting
- Confusion
- Muscle cramps
- Headaches
- Heavy sweating
- Tiredness
If blood pressure drops too far, the risk of heart attacks rises.
Why do our bodies react this way?
Whether it’s summer or winter, our bodies seek to maintain a core temperature of around 37.5°C. Our bodies have evolved to work at this temperature. As the weather becomes hotter, the body must work more to maintain its core temperature. It starts sweating and opens additional blood vessels near the skin to lose heat to our surroundings. The heat loss from the skin increases substantially when sweat evaporates.
Effects of heat on the body
Some of the effects of heat waves on humans:
- 1. Dizziness and Faint feelings from not drinking enough water
- 2. Heart Rate increases as the body works harder
- 3. Heat rashes as the body loses heat from the skin
- 4. Ankles can become swollen from increased blood flow
What should I do if I see someone with heat exhaustion?
The following steps are advised to be taken when encountering someone with heat exhaustion
- Move them to a cool place.
- Get them to lie down and raise their feet slightly
- Get them to drink plenty of water - sports or rehydration drinks are also OK
Cool their skin – spray or sponge them with cool water and fan them. Cold packs around the armpits or neck are good too.