What is Heat Wave?

A heat wave which can be sometimes described as an extreme heat. It is a period of abnormally high temperatures, more than normal temperature. This extreme heat wave can cause many problems in your health. Like- Physiological stress, stroke, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, sometimes it is resulting in death.

How does health impact of heat wave?

The health impacts of heat wave typically involve many things like dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, heat stroke. The symptoms are as follows:

Heat Exhaustion:

Heat exhaustion happens when your body overheats. Sometimes it includes heavy sweating and rapid pulse. Also includes weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, low blood pressure.

When you think in this heat wave you are having heat exhaustion you should stop all your activity and rest properly. Instantly go to a cooler place. Do not forget to drink cool water or any kind of sports drink.

If your health is getting worse immediately contact with doctor and take proper treatment.

Heat Cramps:

Heat cramps are the mildest form of heat related illness. In this hot weather, your body cools itself by sweating which regulates your body temperature. When you do exercise or any work strenuously in this hot weather, your body becomes unable to cool itself efficiently.

As a result, heat cramps may start in your body. It includes muscle cramps, thirst, heavy sweating, fatigue.

In this situation you should drink fluids or any kind of sports drink that has electrolytes. It can help you to treat heat cramps. And most importantly you should go to a cooler place or any shaded place and take a rest.

Heat Stroke:

Heat stroke is the most serious and dangerous heat related illness. It happens when your body cannot control its temperature.

It happens when your body temperature continuously raises, sweating mechanism fails and your body is unable to cool its temperature.

When heat stroke occurs, your body temperature naturally raises to 106° F or more than that within 10-15 mins. It can cause death if the person does not get immediate emergency treatment.

Heat stroke includes loss of consciousness, confusion, altered mental status, seizures, hot/dry skin or profuse sweating.

In this situation you should take a bath in cold or ice water, wipe of your sweat, change your cloths with cold & wet cloths, circulate the air around the worker, place cold water or ice or wet clothes on the head, neck, armpit, groin.

Dehydration:

It happens when your body does not have enough fluid. Severe dehydration can cause serious illness.

Mild/Moderate dehydration may include – thirst, dry mouth, lips & tongue, dizziness or lightheaded, headache, dark urine & not as normal.

Severe dehydration may include- extreme thirst, very dry mouth, breathing fast, fast heart rate and low blood pressure, fever, have little or no urine, irritated/confused/drowsy.

If you are going through this situation you should go in a cool place, loose your tight clothing, and remove unnecessary clothes, drink small amount of cool water.

If your health is getting worse immediately contact with doctor and take proper treatment.

Early Precautions of Heat Wave:

1. Drink Sufficient water.

2. Wear light weight/loose fitting clothes.

3. Stay cool indoors.

4. a cool shower.

5. Try not to stay outside from 12 noon to 3pm.

6. Drink ORS electrolytes or sports drink as much as needed.

7. Wear sunscreen.

8. Pace yourself.

9. Avoid hot & heavy meals.

10. While travelling carry water.