Summer is a great time to get out and take part in many activities. But care should be taken to ensure that one does not overdo strenuous activities in times of high temperature and high humidity There have been a few deaths reported and many people are taken to hospital during times of extreme heat. This article contains some suggestions on how to cope with this problem and how to care for others who might be affected.
In addition to high temperatures one must be aware of the effects of high humidity. The humidex is a measure of how the temperature feels due to humidity and it can can add 10-15 degrees Celsius to an already warm day. The problem arises when people hurry about, the humidity does not allow normal evaporation of perspiration. The moisture sits on one's skin and heat builds up internally. Problems with extremes of heat and humidity apply to every part of the world which experiences such variances. The aim of this article is to share information from my own experiences. These can be applied across the globe where merited.
Normal perspiration evaporates with a resultant skin surface cooling effect. When the air is moist the evaporation of perspiration is slowed or even stopped with a resulting increase in internal body temperature. It is highly recommended that people drink a lot of fluids, in such conditions, to replace fluid lost. As well most experts recommend a slowing down or elimination of strenuous exercise where possible. There are now garments available that will gather perspiration and release it in such a way that there is a cooling effect on the body. Spray bottles are also a good idea, as cool fluid on the skin is very comforting and a help in reducing temperature. Toronto Firemen were featured on Canadian news recommending placing one's forearms into cool fluid. The idea is that there are many blood vessels in the lower arms which can be cooled helping to reduce the core temperature of people.
Children are very vulnerable to excessive heat. Most school ensure that children do not take part in vigorous activities and frequent drinking of water is encouraged. Older adults should be supervised to ensure that they do not succumb to excessive heat. In parts of Europe, where air conditioning is not as common as in North America, there have been instances of seniors suffering in heat waves and many have succumbed as a result.
Where possible seek air conditioned venues, drink plenty of water;; but, do so in moderation. Take regular drinks but overdoing it in one large volume can cause problems due to uptake of a large quantity of water. Wear comfortable, loose, clothing, and if possible look into the new clothing that can evaporate with a cooling effect. Keep an eye out for others. This can be very important at outdoor venues and festivals where people can get carried away with the events and neglect to keep up on fluid intake or over do their movements in the enthusiasm of a festival. Diligence on the part of others could save a life.
Michael Pilon CD DDS
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