What Are Heat Waves?

A heat wave is a prolonged period of excessively hot weather, which may be accompanied by high humidity. While definitions vary, a heat wave is measured relative to the usual weather in the area and relative to normal temperatures for the season. Temperatures that people from a hotter climate consider normal can be termed a heat wave in a cooler area if they are outside the normal climate pattern for that area.

What are the symptoms of heat strokes and sunstroke?

Heat stokes:

• high body temperature – a temperature of 40°C (104°F) or above is often a major sign of heatstroke, although it can be diagnosed at lower temperatures and some people can reach these temperatures during physical exercise without developing heat exhaustion or heatstroke
• heavy sweating that suddenly stops – if the body is unable to produce any more sweat, it's a major warning sign that it has become over-heated and dehydrated
• a rapid heartbeat
• rapid breathing (hyperventilation)
• muscle cramps

Sun stoke: Hot and dry skin, rapid heartbeat and pulse, sweating stops, rapid breathing, increase in body temperature, muscle cramps, headaches, nausea, confusion and dizziness.

Heat exhaustion is fatal but heatstroke can be.

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Other potential problems include: sun burn, redness and pain in the skin. In serve cases there are also swelling blisters, fevers and headaches.

How to Avoid Problems in a Heat Wave?

• Increase your intake of non-alcoholic, non-carbonates, caffeine, free beverages, such as water and fruit juice.
• Wear clothing that is light in colour and loose fritting.
• Avoid he outdoors during extreme heat
• Stay out of the sun
• Stay in an air conditioned environment

Who is Most at Risk of a Heat Wave?

• The elderly and young are very vulnerable to effect of high temperature.
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• Obese people and those with medical conditions such as heart disease and diabetes are also at high risk.
• However anybody could be at a risk if they did not take sensible steps

References

• Your.MD - Heatstroke
• WebMD - Summer Health Hazards Slideshow: Stings, Bites, Sunburns, and More
• PubMed - Association Between Heat Waves and the Risk of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrests: A Time-Series Analysis
• NHS - Heat exhaustion and heatstroke
• National Weather Service - Heat: A Major Killer
• CDC - Extreme Heat: A Prevention Guide to Promote Your Personal Health and Safety