The frequency and intensity of heatwaves have increased several times in the globe during the recent past, and countries like Pakistan already experienced record-breaking temperatures. Heatwave in Pakistan is no longer a rare phenomenon, it's now a seasonal fact of life. It's not only such a rare weather; it's a human health hazard, economic health hazard, and electricity production hazard.

Heatwave effects on health can be deadly, especially for the vulnerable populations such as the impact of heatwave on elderly, children, and those with prior conditions. Our day-to-day climate change due to global warming guarantees that issues of the heatwave and global climate change are amongst the top issues of public health.

It is crucial that you get familiar with the risks, warnings, and preventing injury. It is a comprehensive guide that will lead you through what heatwaves are, how heatwaves affect your health, and safety as an individual and family.

What Is a Heatwave?

Heatwave is a spell of unusually hot weather, sometimes with a bit added extra contributing high humidity. Heatwave definition is geographically varied but generally, if it's hotter than usual compared to the norm over a large period of time, most often three or more consecutive days, it's a heatwave.

In countries like Pakistan, temperatures usually cross 45°C (113°F) during summers, and meteorological departments issue red warnings of intense heat. Such events are caused by global warming, requiring more priority towards heatwave planning and emergency heatwave preparedness and lasting for extended heatwave durations and with increased frequency.

Health Risks of Heatwaves

Not only is it revolting, it is an extremely potentially dangerous health risk, especially if for many hours or a whole day. When the body is no longer capable of staying hot on the inside by being too hot, it can cause severe sickness or death.

Common Health Hazards of Heatwaves

  • Dehydration: Body fluid and electrolyte loss because of excessive sweating and thus results in heatwave and dehydration. Symptoms include dry mouth, dizziness, and dark-colored urine.
  • Heat Exhaustion: Excessive sweating, weakness, headache, muscle cramping, nausea, and dizziness. If not treated, causes heatstroke.
  • Heatstroke: Medical condition where body temperature is raised above 40°C (104°F). It can lead to confusion, loss of consciousness, convulsions, and death. The above example gives extremely obvious facts about the danger of heatwave vs heatstroke facts.
  • Sunburn: Too much sun exposure can burn the skin, induce skin cancer, and also weaken the body further to lose heat.
  • Respiratory Disorders: Dirty and hot air aggravates asthma and other pre-existing respiratory diseases.
  • Heat Cramps: Cramping in the leg or stomach caused by dehydration and loss of salt through sweating.

Effect of Heatwave on the Susceptible Groups

  • Older Adults: Older people are the most susceptible to heatwaves since they have a malfunctioning body temperature control and are more susceptible to essential disease.
  • Infants and Young Children: Incompleteness of body weight, combined with the incompleteness of full thermoregulatory capability, leaves children very open to a heatwave.
  • Groups with Chronic Illness: Diabetic, cardiovascular, and mentally ill patients are also vulnerable to heat.
  • Outdoor Workers and Sportsmen: Protracted repeated exposure day after day to hot weather in the situation of physical strain drives the risk of heat illness and dehydration to very high levels.
  • Pregnant Women: Excessive exposure to heat results in dehydration, preterm labor, and heat exhaustion.

Heatwave deaths statistics reveal that thousands of people die annually from heatwaves, primarily in developing nations without air conditioners or medical facilities.


Precautions during a Heatwave

Under heatwave emergency response conditions, doing something is more important than becoming sick or hurt. It is prevention from heat, staying hydrated, and looking after vulnerable individuals.
Heatwave safety tips on how to stay cool during a heatwave:

  • Stay In: Stay inside, especially when the sun is strongest (around 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
  • Stay Hydrated: Drink every so often, don't wait for the thirsty sensation. Don't drink alcohol, tea, coffee, or sugary drinks.
  • Dress Right: Wear loose, light-colored cotton. Wear wide hat and sun glasses when going outside.
  • Take Cool Baths: Or employ wet towels and mistsprays for trying to cool body temperature.
  • Shun Heavy Effort: Delay exercise or heavy work to early morning or late evening.
  • Employ Fans and Air Conditioners: Cross-ventilation through open windows in evening hours. Utilize air-conditioned rooms, if your house is cool.
  • Close Blinds and Curtains: This evening space cooling.
  • Eat Light Food: Take in salads, vegetables, and fruits and also try to keep away from hot and heavy food.
  • Seek Advice From Other People: Especially elderly, ill, or isolated individuals.
All of these heatwave precautions not only reduce individual risk but may even discourage unnecessary overload of emergency services and hospitals.

Preparation of Your Home for Heatwaves

Warming your home living area for heatwaves also means preparing your home to accommodate warmer temperatures. When you are living in an urban apartment or rural home, you can prepare to close your environment.
Home Preparation Checklist:

  • Install Reflective Window Coverings: Sunshades, blackout curtains, or foil prevent heat.
  • Service Cooling Appliances: Pre-service the air conditioners and ceiling fans at the beginning of the summer so that they are functional.
  • Use Natural Ventilation: Leave windows open overnight when cool to ventilate and let cool air into the house.
  • Create a Cooling Area: Choose one of your rooms to keep as cool as possible by means of fans and sunshades on windows.
  • Prepare for Power Blackouts: Heatwave and power outages come together most of the time due to overloads in power grids. Flashlights, batteries, and reserve water should be stored in advance.
  • Stock Emergency Kit: Electrolyte drinks, gel packs frozen, and simple-to-prepare food are a few that can be stocked in advance.
  • Inform Relatives: Relatives need to be informed about heatwave symptoms and signs of heatwaves and emergency measures.
Precaution in advance will save you from the heat even during the worst heatwave in Pakistan or any other place.


Conclusion

As the temperature everywhere rises due to global warming, heatwave and climate change are two inherent aspects these days. With more heatwaves and intensity, it is not a matter of preference but exigency to know everything about their health implication and take necessary measures accordingly.

From Alex learning heatwave vs. heatstroke, to keeping an eye out to monitor the proper heatwave safety precautions, it's one step at a time. The most effective defense against the ubiquitous threat is remaining well-educated, active, and on the cutting edge.

Whether in the comfort of home where it is safe, venturing out to call on older neighbors to check whether they are doing well, or getting air conditioners installed in one's home, something is worthwhile. Let us not downplay heatwaves as a temporary nuisance but a genuine climatic event with disastrous long-term effects on our wellbeing and health.

Please book an appointment with the best General Physician in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through InstaCare, or call our helpline at 03171777509 to find a verified doctor for your disease.