This summer is turning out to be a real scorcher with the formation of a
heat dome" bringing some of the hottest weather so far this year to large swaths of U.S. territory this week.
Many consider a heat wave to be just a time to put an extra ice cube in the lemonade but its a deadly natural disaster. More people die in heat waves in the U.S. than just about any weather event short of hurricane Katrina. A recent heat wave in the Southwest and West caused temperatures to reach 124 degrees Fahrenheit in Palms Springs California and 115 degrees in Tucson Arizona. The highest temperature on Earth ever recorded was 134 degrees in Death Valley California in 1913.
Heat waves causing large numbers of deaths have been common in recent years. In 2015 thousands died in a major heat wave in India and Pakistan. Tens of thousands died in a European heat wave in 2003.
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The Heat Dome/caption
This weeks heat dome" is caused by hot air unable to escape due to high pressure systems over much of the central part of the country. These systems act like a lid on a pot causing temperatures to soar. Storms may form at the edges possibly leading to tornadoes in some areas.
Making matters worse
the heat index will make it feel even hotter. The heat index is calculated from the temperature combined with the humidity much like wind chill is a combination of air temperature and wind speed. High humidity limits the ability of the body to sweat one of the important ways humans get rid of excess heat. It is expected that due to the heat index residents will feel as if the temperature is 10 to 20 degrees higher than what the actual air temperature is.
Where is this humidity coming from? It could be coming from of all things cornfields. The huge amount of land dedicated to growing corn in the Midwest increases air humidity. This is because
Corn sweats" much like a human does in hot weather. This humidity will have the effect of increasing the heat index.
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yes corn sweats!/caption
Rural areas wont be the only areas affected. Urban areas will also feel the heat. Paved roads and concrete buildings absorb more heat and cool down slower at night. This causes nighttime temperatures to stay high.
You might think that the most danger will be in areas like South Florida which has a subtropical climate year-round. But citizens of Miami are accustomed to heat and less heat-related deaths occur there than would in parts of the country that normally have milder weather. Residents of Minnesota for example have less experience with extreme heat and some buildings may not have air conditioners. This puts them at more risk for
hyperthermia (heat-related emergencies). Older individuals that might have limited ability to seek help are especially at risk.
The ill effects due to overheating are called
heat exhaustion" if mild to moderate; if severe these effects are referred to as
heat stroke". Heat exhaustion usually does not result in permanent damage but heat stroke does; indeed it can permanently disable or even kill its victim. It is a medical emergency that must be diagnosed and treated promptly.
Simply having muscle cramps or a fainting spell does not necessarily signify a major heat-related medical event. You will see heat cramps" often in children that have been running around on a hot day. Getting them out of the sun massaging the affected muscles and providing hydration will usually resolve the problem.
In addition to muscle cramps and/or fainting heat exhaustion is characterized by:
- Confusion
- Rapid pulse
- Flushing
- Sweating
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Headache
- Temperature elevation up to 105 degrees F
If no action is taken to cool the victim heat stroke may ensue. Heat stroke in addition to all the possible signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion will manifest as loss of consciousness seizures or even bleeding (seen in the urine or vomit). Breathing becomes rapid and shallow.
If not dealt with quickly shock and organ malfunction may ensue possibly leading to death. In heat stroke the skin is hot to the touch but dry; sweating might be absent. The body makes efforts to cool itself down until it hits a temperature of about 105 degrees. At that point thermoregulation breaks down and the bodys ability to use sweating as a natural temperature regulator fails. In heat stroke the body core can rise to 110 degrees Fahrenheit or more.
In some circumstances the patients skin may actually seem cool. It is important to realize that it is the body
core temperature that is elevated. A person in shock may feel cold and clammy" to the touch. You could be misled by this finding but taking a reading with a thermometer will reveal the patients true status.
When overheated patients are no longer able to cool themselves it is up to their rescuers to do the job. If hyperthermia is suspected the victim should immediately:
- Be removed from the heat source (for example out of the sun).
- Have their clothing removed.
- Be drenched with cool water (or ice if available)
- Have their legs elevated above the level of their heart (the shock position)
- Be fanned or otherwise ventilated to help with heat evaporation
- Have moist cold compresses placed in the neck armpit and groin area
Why the neck armpit and groin? Major blood vessels pass close to the skin in these areas and cold packs will more efficiently cool the body core.
Oral rehydration is useful to replace fluids lost but
only if the patient is awake and alert. If your patient has altered mental status he or she might swallow" the fluid into their airways; this causes damage to the lungs and puts you in worse shape than when you started.
Heat stroke is preventable in many cases. The Arizona state department of health recommends the following:
- Drink at least 2 liters (about a half-gallon) of water per day if you are mostly indoors and 1 to 2 additional liters for every hour of outdoor time. Drink before you feel thirsty and avoid alcohol and caffeine.
- Wear lightweight light-colored clothing and use a sun hat or an umbrella to deflect the suns rays.
- Eat smaller more frequent meals instead of large ones.
- Avoid strenuous activity.
- Stay indoors as much as possible.
- Take regular breaks if you must exert yourself on warm days.
In a heat wave its important to check on the elderly the very young and the infirm regularly and often. These people have more difficulty seeking help and you might just save a life if youre vigilant. Know the warning signs and how to help those with hyperthermia.
Joe Alton MD is a preparedness expert NYT/Amazon bestselling author of The Survival Medicine Handbook The Zika Virus Handbook and other books on disasters and epidemics. As well he is the host of American Survival Radio at gcnlive.com.
