Stock up on sun cream, fans and ice lollies: Britain is bracing itself for the first heatwave of the year. And that’s before the official start of summer.
Much of the country is set to get at least three consecutive days of high temperatures – the definition of a heatwave – this bank holiday. Parts of the south are forecast to see readings as high as 30°C by Monday.
For many, the warm weather will be perfect for the long weekend and a welcome change from the long run of dull and cold weather so far in May. But it also comes with health risks – that tend to be greater when heatwaves arrive early in the year, like this one.
Here’s how hot weather affects our bodies over the short and longer term – and what to do.
Minutes: The risks and benefits of sunshine
We’ve long been told to take all possible steps to avoid sunburn because it raises the risk of skin cancer: cover up with tightly woven clothing, slap on sun cream and seek out shade between 11 and 3, when the sun is strongest.
But this advice has been softened lately, because some sunshine is needed to make vitamin D, essential for making strong bones and keeping our immune systems healthy.
The latest guidance from Nice, the NHS medical evidence body, says that while there are risks from excessive exposure, “some sunlight is good for health”.
It also says people should judge from their skin tone how much sunshine they can take without getting burned. People with darker skin have lower risk of burning, while people with very fair skin can burn in minutes.
“The recent lack of sunshine in May could make people more likely to burn this weekend,” said Dr Rachel Orritt, health information manager at Cancer Research UK. “We don’t want people to get caught off guard by a stronger sun.”
Hours: Dehydration and overheating
Two other common health impacts of hot weather are dehydration and overheating.
The body has two main ways to stay cool: increasing blood flow to the skin, to help radiate heat away, and sweating, where heat is lost by evaporation.
The body acclimatises to a long period of heat, with both sweating and heat radiation becoming more efficient.
But sudden heatwaves, like this one, means that won’t have happened. “Over the past few weeks it’s been quite cool. So people are not acclimatised to these very warm temperatures yet,” said Dr Ross Hemingway, a sports and exercise medicine GP.
Heat illness – when body temperature rises by 1 or 2 degrees over the usual 37.5C – is more likely during physical activity, so people should try to exercise before 8am or after 8pm on very hot days, he said.
They should also drink enough fluids that they don’t feel thirsty, before, during and after the exercise. “I would advise people to dial back initially on how hard they’re pushing themselves,” said Dr Hemingway.
Skin conditions
Persistent high temperatures and sweating can worsen some skin conditions, and can also trigger hives – an itchy raised rash – in those who are susceptible.
It helps to wear loose clothing and shower more often, said Dr Babak Ashrafi, a GP for Superdrug.
The heat also worsens chafing, when skin rubs against clothes or other areas of skin. This can be reduced by keeping the skin dry with talc or using petroleum jelly as a barrier, the British Association of Dermatologists said.
Days: Older people at higher risk
Dehydration can have more serious impacts on older people. In fact, it is part of the reason heatwaves can be deadly for this age group.
Five heatwaves between June and August last year – the warmest summer on record – saw over 1,500 “heat-associated deaths” in England, according to government data.
That doesn’t mean all those individuals died from acute overheating. It means that during those hot spells, there was a rise in the usual number of daily deaths from typical causes like heart attacks, strokes, cancer and lung conditions, mainly in people over 75.
Many of these are contributed to by dehydration persisting over several days, which leads to blood being slightly less watery, which can worsen multiple medical conditions.
Older people living alone or who have cognitive impairment are particularly vulnerable, the British Geriatrics Society said. Blood pressure medicines can also worsen dehydration. The doctors ask relatives and friends to check in and help make sure the person is drinking enough and staying cool.
Hence then, the article about how hot weather affects your body over minutes hours and days was published today ( ) and is available on inews ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( How hot weather affects your body, over minutes, hours and days )
Also on site :
- ‘An Incredible Story to Tell’: Filmmaker Wes Orshoski Talks Paul Di’Anno Documentary
- Clarks’ Cloud-Like Sandals Are Perfect for Warm Weather and Just $33 at Walmart
- Ukrainian drone strike hits Russian school dorm – governor