![]() The person may not even know this problem is developing. ![]() Each day, the body loses only a little more water than is taken in. Doctors call this dehydration exhaustion. It also can develop slowly, over a period of days. They also say it may help to wash with cool water.īOB DOUGHTY: Heat exhaustion can develop quickly. Doctors say people with such problems should rest quietly in a cool place and drink plenty of water. Heat exhaustion may also produce a feeling of sickness, a fast heartbeat, breathing problems and pain in the head, chest or stomach. He or she may have trouble walking normally. ![]() The person becomes dehydrated.Ī person suffering heat exhaustion feels weak and extremely tired. A person suffering from heat exhaustion loses too much water through perspiration. Hot weather also increases dangers for people who must take medicine for high blood pressure, poor blood flow, nervousness or depression.įAITH LAPIDUS: Untreated heat stress can lead to a more serious problem called heat exhaustion. It is also dangerous for people who weigh too much and have too much body fat, and for people who drink alcohol. Severe heat increases problems for small children, older adults and those who have the disease diabetes. They may have a weak or damaged heart, high blood pressure or other problems of the blood system. Doctors say not to return to physical activity for a few hours because serious conditions could develop.īOB DOUGHTY: Some people face an increased danger from heat stress. Doctors say those suffering muscle pain should stop all activity and rest in a cool place. The pain is a warning that the body is becoming too hot. Most people suffer only muscle pain because of heat stress. It is how the body releases water to cool the skin. ![]() Perspiration is one of the body’s defenses against heat. The person loses large amounts of body water and salt in perspiration. If several of these conditions are present at the same time, a person’s body temperature may rise above safe levels. Humidity is the amount of water in the air. The causes of heat stress include wearing heavy clothing, physical work or exercise, hot weather and high humidity. Also, learn the danger signs of the medical problems linked to heat.įAITH LAPIDUS: The most common health problem linked to hot weather is heat stress. Make sure the clothing is loose, permitting freedom of movement. Wear light colored clothing made of natural materials. This causes great stress on the human body.ĭoctors say people can do many things to protect themselves from the dangers of extreme heat. Experts say heat waves often become dangerous when the nighttime temperature does not drop much from the highest daytime temperature. Temperatures reached almost fifty degrees Celsius in several Indian states.īOB DOUGHTY: Several hot days that follow each other are considered a heat wave. Experts say heat may be nature’s deadliest killer.įor example, Indian officials blamed extreme heat for killing more than two hundred people in late May. Although hot weather just makes most people feel hot, it can cause serious medical problems, even death.įloods, storms and other natural events kill thousands of people every year. We tell what experts suggest to prevent and treat these problems.įAITH LAPIDUS: Extremely hot weather is common in many parts of the world. This week, we tell about health problems linked to extreme heat. I’m Faith Lapidus.īOB DOUGHTY: And I'm Bob Doughty. Or download MP3 (Right-click or option-click and save link)įAITH LAPIDUS: This is SCIENCE IN THE NEWS, in VOA Special English.
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