We wait for it every year, asking “when will it be summer?” Then it hits — the summer heat.
Each year there are periods of very high heat in various regions around the province. There are 40-plus degree days in the Interior; even on the Coast, extreme heat events are not all that rare — we should be prepared for them.
Hot temperatures can be dangerous. While anyone at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others. Most at risk are infants and young children, people aged 65 or older, and those with chronic conditions such as breathing difficulties, heart problems, hypertension or kidney problems. People who are socially isolated are also vulnerable.
Heat illnesses include heat stroke, exhaustion, fainting, rash and muscle cramps. Any of these can come on very quickly. They are mainly caused by over-exposure to heat or over-exertion in the heat. Symptoms provide warnings of developing problems and they include dizziness or fainting, nausea or vomiting, headache, rapid breathing and heartbeat, extreme thirst and decreased urination with unusually dark yellow urine. Ignoring symptoms could lead to more serious heat illness.
The process by which heat illness comes on is quite simple. As the body works to cool itself in the heat, blood rushes to the surface of the skin which means there is less blood for the brain, muscles and other organs.
Heat exhaustion and heat cramps occur when the body loses large amounts of water and salt through excessive sweating. The most serious condition, heat stroke, occurs when the body suffers from long, intense exposure to heat and loses its ability to cool itself.
In prolonged, extreme heat, the part of the brain that normally regulates body temperature can malfunction. Fortunately, with prompt treatment, most people recover completely from heat-related illness. Not properly managed, heat stroke can be deadly.
The best way to deal with heat-related illness is to avoid it in the first place.
Prevention can be a life saver. Staying well-hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, particularly water, is the first step. Don’t wait to be thirsty because by then you are already dehydrated. You should also stay away from coffee and alcohol because they increase blood flow to the skin and increase the risk of dehydration. Rehydration drinks can be a good idea as they are absorbed as quickly as water and will also replace sugar, sodium and other nutrients.
It’s a good idea to eat more fruit and vegetables because they have high water content. Cooling breaks, cool showers or baths during the day also help. And if you do not have your own cool space, find one close to home. It could be a grocery store or local café, maybe the library or even city hall. If you are working or physically active outdoors, try to rest often (in the shade) and wear a wide-brimmed hat to keep the sun off your head.
Summer weather is a boon to anyone who enjoys being outdoors, whether for a swim, hike or even just a backyard barbeque. But very hot weather is not to be taken lightly — it can kill.
Editor’s note: Dr. Paul Martiquet is the medical health officer for rural Vancouver Coastal Health including Powell River, the Sunshine Coast, Sea-to-Sky, Bella Bella and Bella Coola.
