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\n \n Human-caused climate change has already made heat waves around the world more frequent and intense.\n <\/p>\n \n Scientists who study the role of global warming on weather say that every heat wave today bears the fingerprints of the climate crisis.\n <\/p>\n \n Climate change, driven primarily by humans burning fossil fuels, is worsening global extreme weather in general, but much of that change is related to heat.\n <\/p>\n \n In the US, heat kills more Americans than any other weather-related disaster, and it will only continue to worsen as the world heats up from burning fossil fuels.\n <\/p>\n \n Here\u2019s what happens to your body in extreme heat, what you need to watch out for and how to stay safe.\n <\/p>\n \n Normally, your body is used to a certain range of temperatures, usually between 97 to 99 degrees Fahrenheit. When your brain senses a change \u2013 either lower or higher than that \u2013 it attempts to help your body cool down or heat up, according to Dr. Judith Linden, executive vice chair of the department of emergency medicine at Boston Medical Center and a professor in the emergency medicine department at Boston University\u2019s school of medicine.\n <\/p>\n \n \u201cThere are a number of different ways in which (the brain) attempts to cool the body down. One way, the most common way we think of, is that you sweat,\u201d Linden said. \u201cThe pores open, the body sweats and the sweat evaporates, that cools the body.\u201d\n <\/p>\n \n The second way your body cools itself down is by dilating vessels and upping your heart rate, which helps bring heat and blood to the surface of your body and helps releases that excess heat.\n <\/p>\n \n When you\u2019re exposed to high temperatures, it becomes harder for your body to try and keep up with cooling itself down. And if your environment is hot and<\/em> humid, sweat doesn\u2019t evaporate as easily \u2013 which pushes your body\u2019s temperature even higher, according to the Mayo Clinic. <\/a>\n <\/p>\n \n \u201cThe higher the humidity, the lower temperatures you need for extreme heat,\u201d Linden said.\n <\/p>\n \n High body temperatures can lead to damage to the brain and other vital organs, the CDC<\/a> says. They can also lead to several heat-related illnesses.\n <\/p>\n \n Mild-heat related illnesses, including heat cramps,<\/strong> are most common, Linden said. Heat cramps can develop in people who sweat a lot, including during exercising. The excessive sweating uses up all of the body\u2019s salt and moisture and can lead to muscle pains or spasms, usually in the abdomen, arms or legs, according to the CDC. <\/a>\n <\/p>\n \n A heat rash <\/strong>can also develop. That\u2019s a skin irritation caused by too much sweating in hot and humid weather, and is most common in young children, the CDC says. It is usually a red cluster of pimples or blisters, and tends to be in places including the neck, upper chest or in elbow creases.\n <\/p>\n \n When your body\u2019s beginning to exceed its ability to cool itself down, you can develop what\u2019s known as heat exhaustion.<\/strong>\n <\/p>\n \n \u201cIn this case you\u2019re going to see excessive sweating because your body is really going to try and keep up with that extra heat. You\u2019re going to feel light-headed, you may feel dizzy, often people present with nausea, headaches and their skin often looks pale and clammy and their pulse is often fast,\u201d Linden said.\n <\/p>\n \n \u201cThis is the body\u2019s last attempt to cool itself before it really goes into a point of no return.\u201d\n <\/p>\n \n A heat stroke <\/strong>is the most serious heat-related illness, and, if left untreated, can lead to death.\n <\/p>\n \n \u201cThat\u2019s where your body\u2019s temperature goes above 104 to 105 degrees or so, and this is where your mechanisms are starting to fail,\u201d Linden said.\n <\/p>\n \n Warning signs may include extremely high body temperatures, red and dry skin, a rapid pulse, headache, dizziness, nausea or loss of consciousness, according to the CDC.\n <\/p>\n \n The hallmark of a heat stroke is confusion and agitation, Linden said.\n <\/p>\n \n \u201cSo when somebody\u2019s in the heat and they become confused and agitated, that\u2019s heat stroke until proven otherwise and you need to call 911 for that or get help immediately and get the person out of the heat.\u201d\n <\/p>\n \n Elderly, people with chronic medical conditions as well as children are at higher risk for severe heat-related illnesses.\n <\/p>\n \n The elderly and people with chronic medical conditions may be less likely to sense and respond to temperature changes and may be taking medication that make the heat effects worse, the CDC<\/a> said.\n <\/p>\n \n \u201cVery young (people) as well, because they\u2019re less likely to recognize heat-related illness and they\u2019re less likely to get out of the heat if they\u2019re starting to feel overheated,\u201d Linden said.\n <\/p>\n \n Student-athletes and pets are also at higher risk, she added.\n <\/p>\n \n \u201cIn this weather, you must never, ever, ever leave a child or a pet in the car for even a minute,\u201d Linden added.\n <\/p>\n \n When your community is facing extreme heat, there are several things you can do to keep yourself and others safe.\n <\/p>\n \n First, keep an eye out for symptoms of heat exhaustion or other illnesses. \u201cIf somebody starts feeling light-headed, dizzy, nausea or headache, that is the time to act immediately,\u201d Linden said. \u201cThat means getting them out of the heat and into a cool environment.\u201d\n <\/p>\n \n Putting water on someone who may be experiencing symptoms and giving them fluids can help cool them down. If someone is starting to lose consciousness or has nausea or vomiting, call 911.\n <\/p>\n \n \u201cIf you see anybody with any type of confusion, that\u2019s an immediate red flag,\u201d Linden added.\n <\/p>\n \n When it\u2019s hot outside, try to avoid outdoor activities \u2013 especially between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., according to Linden. If you have to go outside, wear light-colored clothing, cover your head and drink plenty of fluids.\n <\/p>\n \n Don\u2019t wait until you\u2019re thirsty to drink water \u2013 as that can be a sign of dehydration. Linden recommends drinking at least one glass of water \u2013 or more \u2013 an hour.\n <\/p>\n \n \u201cIf you do start to feel light-headed, dizzy, sweating, fast pulse, get out of the heat immediately,\u201d Linden said.\n <\/p>\n \n Try to find air conditioning, or places in your area where you can go to stay cool, according to Ready.gov. <\/a> Even spending a few hours in a shopping mall or public library can help.\n <\/p>\n \n When you\u2019re home, fans can help, but don\u2019t rely on them as your only way of cooling down \u2013 while it may feel more comfortable, they won\u2019t help prevent heat-related illness.\n <\/p>\n \n \u201cIf you\u2019re in a super hot room, if you\u2019ve got a fan, is it helpful? No. I think, if you\u2019ve got a fan, and you\u2019re able to mist yourself \u2026 then fans can be helpful,\u201d Linden said. \u201cFans are not foolproof.\u201d\n <\/p>\n \n Finally, make sure you\u2019re checking on your neighbors, parents and friends \u2013 especially older individuals who may be living alone or are isolated, Linden said.\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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