Heat Waves and it’s Effects to Human

Heat wave is define as prolonged period of excessively hot weather, which may be accompanied by high humidity. This heat wave will occur only once in a century. It is define by the World Meteorological Organization that when the daily maximum temperature of more than five consecutive days exceeds the average maximum temperature by 5 Celsius degrees or 9 Fahrenheit degrees. An extended heat wave or that is more of a heat wave is a heat storm. A heat storm is a Californian term for an excessive heat wave. Heat storms occur when the temperature reaches up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius for three consecutive days for over a very wide area or an estimated area of tens of thousands of square miles. Heat waves occur not to all land or to all places in the world. It only occur to those typical inland desert, semidesert and Mediterranean-type of climates. Heat wave is expected to increase its occurrence with global warming according to climatologist David Jones.

Heat waves have very large effects to human specially to our health. Many diseases are occurring during times that heat waves attack. Some of these diseases are Hyperthermia, Heat edema, Heat rash, Heat syncope and heat exhaustion.

Hyperthermia is also called heat stroke. Affected people may suffer from absent of sweating from 84 percent to 100 percent even if the high temperature is continuously increasing. People who have higher risk of having this heat-related illness are those older adults, very young children and specially those who are sick and overweight. Medications that is being prescribed are often given to those who are ill and those elderly people. This medications interfere the body’s ability to dissipate heat. Some of these medicines are diuretics, anticholinergics, antipsychotics, and antihypertensives.

Another heat-illness that is related to heat wave is heat edema. This is the swelling of the hands,feet, and ankles and this is said to increase aldosterone secretion. Aldosterone secretion enhances water retention. Heat edema patients are often healed after some days of the patient in  a cooler or warmer environment. There is no treatment actually but there are some ways that is seen effective help patients minimize the edema. Ways like wearing support stocking and elevation of the effected legs.

Heat rash are also known as prickly heat. This is a maculopapular rash accompanied by accute inflammation and this rash block the sweat ducts. Heat rash affects the body that is more covered with tight clothes so the best way to prevent heat rash is to wear loose fitting during heat times. Chlorhexidine is a lotion that is said to cure heat rash. This lotion remove any desquamated skin. Antibiotics also is required if infections occur.

Heat cramps are involuntary spasms of large muscle groups that was used in strenuous exercise and is said to be very painful. This occur after intense exertion.

Heat syncope is related to heat exposure that may produce orthostatic hypotension that can precipitate a near-syncopal episode. This is the result from intense sweating, which often leads to dehydration, then followed by peripheral vasodilation. Patients can be treated through oral rehydration therapy or sport drinks. Having heat syncope, one should avoid standing in heat areas for a long period of time.

Lastly, the heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion is an excessive dehydration and electrolyte depletion. Symptoms of this are headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, tachycardia, malaise, and myalgia. Treatment include removing or replacing the fluids of the patient.

Other effects of heat waves may include catastrophic crop failures and widespread power outages due to increase use of air conditioning.