Heat wave danger, New research # 18
Heat wave danger, New research # 18
Heat wave danger is very high in these days. A climate change since last 4 to 5 years has surprised the scientists. It was heavy rain and snow falling in Saudi Arabia, where there was no rain in the desert for thousand years. Many cities of Saudi Arabia were flooded . I have been in Saudi Arabia for 10 years. I never experienced any heavy rain during that period. Heavy rain and storms are attacking many countries. Diabetic people , specially women need extra care for their health in warm temperature.
Contents:
- Climate change’s reason.
- Present heat wave.
- Hot temperature and strokes.
- Heat- The risk of stroke.
- Precaution during heat wave.
Climate change’s reason.
I still remember my child hood days. I do not remember i experienced extreme hot and cold weather. Climate of our earth has changed since last three years. Sudden heavy storms, rain, floods attack on many countries. Scientists are trying to find out the reason of such climate changes. i read an article in a magazine. The article discussed a possible reason of changes in climate. Here is a brief description of that article:
Our earth revolves on its axis once every 24 hours. Every one knows that our earth’s north pole is bent some degree toward equator . Scientists have observed that the north pole of our earth is bent 3 degree more toward equator since last 300 years. It means that some countries have become more near to sun. Our country Pakistan is also situated in this range. That why climate in our country is getting warmer as compared to 100 years before. Glaciers in our mountains are melting causing floods in the country. Heavy rains period is extended since last 4 years. The present heat waves are also the result of earth’s bend toward equator.
The scientists discovered some animals skeletons in south pole .Such animals usually are found in north pole. How come they came in south pole?. Keeping in view the earth’s movement toward equator, they guessed that after many years, the north pole reached at south pole and south pole reached at north pole. They estimated that it may happen after 25,000 years.
Present heat wave.
The present heat wave started in the month of May. The temperature of our country used to remain less than 35 degree centigrade in the month of May. In some cities of our country the temperature reached to 50 degree centigrade in the last 10 days of the month of May. The heat wave affected many people . Hundreds are admitted in the hospitals. The diabetic people specially women need extra care to be taken to save them from present heat wave. During the present heat wave, the nights are also warmer than previous months. A study was carried out to examine any link between hot temperature and the risk of stroke. The results were as under:
- Women, especially older women were found at an increased risk of stroke during hot nights.
- Hot temperature may disturb the function of cardiovascular system. It could affect how blood vessels shrink and become wider.
- It is advised to drink plenty of water, specially during hot nights. Cool shower and baths will provide a good relief. keep air circulating in your place.
Hot temperature and strokes.
The researchers collected patients data from Augsburg Hospital in Germany from 2006 to 2020. They found that 11,037 patients has been diagnosed as stroke during the months of May to October. This period is considered as the warmest in the country. The average age of the patients was 71.3 years.
During the above period , the most common type of stroke were Ischemic strokes ( An ischemic stroke occurs when a vessel supplying blood to the brain is obstructed. It accounts for about 87% of all strokes. The main cause of ischemic stroke is atherosclerosis, or fatty deposits (plaque) that line the vessel walls).The ischemic stroke were recorded 7,430 incidents. The other 642 cases were reported as Hemorrhagic strokes. (( A type of stroke that occurs when a blood vessel in the brain or on the surface of the brain leaks or breaks open, causing bleeding in or around the brain. This leads to swelling and pressure, which can damage cells and tissue in the brain).Another 2,947 Transient ischemic attacks ( A transient ischemic attack (TIA) or “mini stroke” is caused by a temporary disruption in the blood supply to part of the brain. The disruption in blood supply results in a lack of oxygen to the brain) were reported. All strokes were considered minor or moderate severity.
The researchers analyzed data from a local metrological station to find the association of strokes with hotter nights. The researchers noticed a slight increase of hot night strokes from 2013 to 2020 . The hot night strokes in 2006 to 2012 were less as with in this period of time the temperature s were cooler. This study appeared in the European heart Journal.
Jayne Morgan MD , cardiologist and the Executive Director of Health and Community Education at the Piedmont Healthcare Corporation in Atlanta , GA agreed that since there is an association between extremely hot weather conditions and more heart attacks, it would not be surprising to find a similar correlation with strokes.
Heat- The risk of stroke.
Cheng-Han Chen MD, cardiologist of Saddleback Medical Center, CA said in his own words as :
” We know from previous studies that extreme heat-elevated temperature overall do increase cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke. The cardiovascular system is a major part of our thermal regulation, temperature control of our bodies. When you have extreme heat, it interferes with how well the cardiovascular system can regulate our body temperature and that puts the system under stress. Heat also affects how our blood vessels constrict and dilate, so these effects could potentially cause cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke “.
Jayne Morgan , MD cardiologist and the Executive Director of Health and Community Education at the Piedmont Healthcare Corporation in Atlanta , GA noted that with an average of 70 years for those included in the study, it is difficult to know if the strokes were more related to age than heat or whether the aged are simply more vulnerable , or living with more risk factors. ”
Jayne Morgan also noted that ” Dehydration from heat can put stress on the heart and body. The excessive sweating can lead to electrolyte imbalances. As a result extreme heat is a stressor that can cause an increase in blood pressure, and may even increase blood coagulability.” Blood coagulation is the process by which liquid blood changes into semisolid blood clots. It helps preventing blood loss from damaged blood vessels.
source: medicalnewstoday.com
Precautions during heat wave.
Many countries of the world are facing very strong heat wave. Temperature in many cities of our country is reaching 50 degree C in most of the day. People avoid to go out of home. Hundreds of people are affected from heat wave and admitted in the hospitals .
Here are some precautions to face the heat wave danger:
- Try to stay at home . Avoid travelling during peak hour of heat wave.
- Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
- Cool bath and showers can provide some relief.
- Get your cloths wet with water if you are going out .
- Cover your head and neck with a wet cloth while walking under the sun.
- To be on safe side, keep a bottle full of water in your bag if you plan to go out side your house.
- If you feel vomiting, lose motion, fever and weakness, consult a doctor or go to a hospital immediately.
To fight with heat, pl. read our article “ Beat the heat ”
One response to “Heat wave danger, New research # 18”
Thank you! I’ve been searching for information on this topic for a while, and yours is the best I’ve found so far. However, what about the key details? Are you confident about the source?