hot temperatures Archives - Amazing Health Advances

7+ Ways to Stay Cool & Prevent Heat Stroke Symptoms

The AHA! Team — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 05:15:44 +0000

Christine Ruggeri, CHHC via Dr. Axe – Heat stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when the body can no longer cool itself. The body suffers from dehydration because it can’t release internal heat into the environment, resulting in core temperatures of over 104 degrees Fahrenheit. The scary part The scary part is that most people aren’t aware that they are in danger of heat stroke (the most severe heat-related illness) until it’s too late. By then, they have become confused and delirious as a result of nerve damage. To ensure that your health is never put in harm’s way because of hot weather, take preventative measures to keep yourself cool and stay hydrated. It’s also important to avoid actions that increase your risk of developing heat stroke, like engaging in physical activity that ups your chances of heat illness, such as hot yoga and exercising in the direct sun. What is heat stroke? Heat stroke is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when the body becomes unable to regulate its internal temperature, causing the core temperature to rise rapidly, often above 104 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s considered a medical emergency and requires immediate attention. Without prompt treatment, heat stroke can lead to organ damage, brain injury and even death. Types of heat stroke There are two primary types of heat stroke: 1. Classic (non-exertional) heat stroke This type typically affects vulnerable populations, including older adults, young children and those with chronic illnesses. It usually occurs after prolonged exposure to high temperatures in poorly ventilated spaces or during heat waves. Physical exertion is not necessary for this type to develop. 2. Exertional heat stroke This form affects healthy, active individuals, especially athletes, military personnel and laborers, who perform intense physical activity in hot and humid conditions. It can develop suddenly and progresses rapidly. In both types, the body’s cooling mechanisms fail, leading to dangerously high internal temperatures and potentially severe complications. Heat stroke vs. heat exhaustion Heat stroke occurs when your body’s natural processes to regulate your core temperature begin to fail as you become overheated. It is the most serious phase of heat illness, when you become at risk of life-threatening symptoms. Heat exhaustion is the phase right before heat stroke, when you begin to feel signs of heat illness, such as muscle weakness and fatigue. The body regulates core temperature to maintain a constant temperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, even in the hottest or coldest environmental conditions. For this to be possible, the thermoregulatory system uses different physiological mechanisms in order to balance the heat produced inside the body and the amount of heat lost to the environment. When these mechanisms break down, heat stroke symptoms occur. How exactly do we fight heat illness? Here’s what occurs naturally to prevent life-threatening symptoms of heat stroke: When the temperature outside becomes too high, temperature receptors in the skin send messages to the hypothalamus, which is the processing center in the brain. When you become overheated, you release heat by sweating and activating the muscles in your skin. Your blood vessels also begin to swell or dilate, causing noticeable redness. More warm blood then flows close to the surface of your skin so heat is lost through the skin and into the air. Muscles in your skin work to increase heat loss by causing hairs to lay down flat, as opposed to raising them up in order to trap more warmth. Your skin glands also secrete sweat onto the surface of your skin in order to increase heat loss by evaporation. Your body will keep sweating, releasing internal heat, until your body temperature returns to normal. Once your body’s core temperature rises, all of your innate processes that are in place to regulate your internal temperature break down, creating serious, even life-threatening problems, like organ damage and loss of consciousness. Heat stroke symptoms Before heat stroke symptoms develop, you will experience a few warning signs. Generally, heat-related illnesses occur in four stages, beginning with muscle cramping, leading to heat exhaustion and ending with heat stroke. 1. Heat syncope (fainting) Heat syncope, or fainting, occurs when your body tries to cool itself, which causes your blood vessels to dilate so much that blood flow to your brain is reduced. This usually occurs when a person has been working outside or has been physically active in a hot environment. Besides fainting, a person experiencing heat syncope may feel dizzy, restless and nauseous. 2. Heat cramps Heat cramps, also known as muscle cramping, are one of the first signs of heat-related illness. You may feel like you pulled a muscle, even though you weren’t doing anything strenuous. Muscle aches and cramping are huge warning signs that you are dehydrated and need to get somewhere cool and drink water before your symptoms worsen. 3. Heat exhaustion Heat exhaustion happens when the heat begins to make you feel uncomfortable and ill, leading to symptoms like: heavy sweating weakness headache changes in pulse cold, pale and clammy skin nausea vomiting fainting If left untreated, heat exhaustion can advance to heat stroke. 4. Heat stroke Heat stroke is the most serious of all heat-related illnesses. It is a medical emergency because it can lead to serious brain damage, organ failure and even death. The most common heat stroke symptoms include: body temperature above 104 degrees Fahrenheit rapid and strong pulse shallow breathing hot, red, dry or moist skin severe headache fatigue minimal or no sweating, despite the heat nausea and vomiting muscle weakness muscle cramps dark-colored urine (even rhabdomyolysis) delirium confusion seizures unconsciousness aggression, agitation and other behavioral changes blurry vision dizziness fainting low blood pressure slurred speech pale skin Heat stroke is so serious because it can lead to organ failure and even death. It immediately affects your cognitive function and can lead to impairment. In fact, research has shown that approximately 20 percent of patients who suffer from heat stroke have long-term, irreversible brain damage as a result. That’s why some of the most common heat stroke symptoms are delirium and confusion. Your nerve cells are particularly vulnerable when the body becomes overheated, and your brain is made up of these nerve cells. When you experience heat illness, the blood vessels dilate, and blood flow increases. This strains the heart as well. Causes and risk factors Data has shown that when the heat index is higher than 90 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, the number of deaths caused by heat illness increases. As you sweat in hot weather, you lose fluids and become dehydrated. If you aren’t drinking plenty of water to replace these fluids, you can develop heat stroke symptoms. There are also factors that slow down the body’s ability to release heat into the environment in its attempt to regulate its core temperature. Aside from being in very high temperatures, wearing dark or heavy clothing, being in direct sunlight, and engaging in physical activity are all contributing factors. Here are more risk factors: People aged 65 years or older: Elderly people, aged 65 years or older, have a harder time sensing that their bodies are overheated, so they don’t respond quickly to signs of heat stroke. Older adults also have higher rates of medications that can increase the risk of heat-related illness because they interfere with the way the body reacts to stress and proper hydration. Infants and children: Infants and children rely on adults to keep them cool and hydrated. Plus, they are more prone to heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses because of their greater surface area to body mass ratio. This allows for more heat transfer from the environment to the body. Researchers have reported that children can’t evaporate heat as well as adults because little ones have slower sweat rates, and it takes more time for them to start sweating. Children also have less of a thirst response so they may not realize that they are becoming dehydrated. People with chronic medical conditions: Research has indicated that prevalence of heat stroke and other heat illness is higher among people with ongoing medical conditions, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and respiratory disease. These conditions don’t allow the body to adapt to changes in environmental conditions as easily or quickly. People with mental illness are also at a higher risk of heat stroke because they may not realize when the body is becoming overheated and dehydrated. Social isolation is associated with adverse health effects from heat so people who are often home alone may be more likely to develop heat stroke symptoms. People without access to air conditioning: Research has revealed that associations between heat and mortality are reduced or even absent in communities with high access to, or use of, air conditioning. Data also has shown that individuals who own air conditioners have a reduced risk of heat-related illness. Athletes: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the leading cause of death or disability among athletes who train or compete in high temperatures during the late summer and early fall months is heat-related illness. Research has suggested that the risk is particularly high in the month of August. People who work outdoors: Heat stroke and illness caused by hot weather are very common among people who work outdoors in hot climates. An epidemiological review published by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health found that at-risk workers include fire fighters, construction workers, farmers, soldiers and manufacturing workers who work around process-generated heat. Diagnosis (When is it an emergency?) If you’re with someone who is displaying signs and symptoms of heat stroke, such as trouble breathing, dry skin, fatigue, muscle weakness and delirium, call 911 immediately. Then move the person to a cool place. Try to cool him down by applying a cold compress or ice pack to his forehead or even pouring cool water over his body. Then wait until medical professionals take over. Don’t hesitate to call for help, as heat stroke is a serious medical emergency. Immediate treatment is vital. Treatment and prevention Studies have shown that when cooling is quickly initiated, and both the body temperature and brain function return to normal within an hour of symptom onset, most patients recover fully. For patients suffering from heat stroke, cold water immersion is one of the most common ways to cool the patient’s core temperature quickly. The patient must be exposed to cold temperatures immediately in order to prevent organ breakdown and death. The patient also may be given intravenous (IV) hydration and be transported to a hospital if he’s not already at one. Intravenous hydration is continued for 24 to 72 hours. In severe cases, medical professionals will administer IV magnesium sulfate to relieve muscle cramping. To prevent heat stroke, take the following precautions when exposed to hot temperatures: 1. Drink plenty of water The most important thing you can do to avoid heat stroke is to drink more water than you usually do because you are losing fluids through sweat. Drink two to four cups every hour when you are outside or exercising. Don’t wait until you are thirsty to start drinking fluids. By then, you are already becoming dehydrated and putting yourself at risk of heat stroke. Also, make sure that your children and others at a higher risk of heat stroke drink enough water throughout the day. If you’re not a fan of drinking water all day, there are other beverages that will help you to stay hydrated, such as fruit smoothies, veggie juice, seltzer, lemon or lime water, and kombucha. 2. Eat hydrating foods In order to avoid dehydration and the possibility of heat stroke, eat fruits and vegetables that are hydrating. They have a high water content and contain valuable electrolytes, which help you maintain fluid balance, keep blood pressure levels stable and help with nerve signaling, just to name a few roles of these vital nutrients. Some of the best hydrating foods to beat heat stroke symptoms include: coconut water watermelon oranges grapefruits pineapple berries bananas grapes kiwi cucumber...

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How Extreme Heat Affects the Brain + How to Prevent Any Damage

The AHA! Team — Fri, 24 May 2024 08:06:04 +0000

Dr. Caroline Leaf – In this podcast (episode #508) and blog, I talk about keeping our brains and bodies healthy when it’s extremely hot outside. Although there still needs to be more research on how extreme temperatures affect the brain, they definitely have a negative impact with prolonged periods of heat exposure. Why? Temperature is one the main driver of chemical reactions, so changes in temperature affect the biochemistry of the brain and body. Short bursts of high heat exposure, like having a sauna, are good for you Short bursts of high heat exposure, like having a sauna, are good for you and can even build up your resilience and improve your focus. However, longer periods of extreme heat are potentially problematic as the changes in brain chemistry can cause neurons to either fire too fast or too slowly, sometimes even going “silent”, which can affect how a person thinks, recalls, feels, and sleeps. This, in turn, can make someone more tired, overwhelmed, aggressive, and irritable, and can further drains the energy from the brain and body, making us feel even worse. This can happen to anyone, including our children. If they are exposed to extreme heat, they can become tired irritable, and the weather can affect their concentration, memory, processing, and sleeping patterns. They may also feel more lethargic, flat or depressed. Here are some ways we can all try to keep a ‘cool head’ in the summer heat, improving our mood and memory: Practice extreme temperature contrasts (in a safe environment while listening to your brain and body). This means exposing yourself to high and low temperatures for a limited period to build up your resilience. For example, if you are at the gym, use the sauna or steam room for a few minutes, then take a cold shower or use the cold plunge pool for a few minutes. When possible, keep your home cool, especially at night to help you sleep. Use the AC or fans to do this. Suck on ice when you feel too warm or need to spend some time outside in the heat. Take cold showers for 1-3 minutes when possible. If you can, take an ice bath. If you have access to a pool/lake/river/ocean/swimming area, enjoy some time outdoors in the water, but make sure to wear a lot of sunblock and don’t stay outdoors too long if the temperatures are very high! When it comes to our children, we need to acknowledge how vulnerable they are to extreme temperature changes. We to need think of ways we can keep them cool and safe inside, while making sure they have plenty to do so their mental and physical health isn’t impacted by being indoors for long periods of time. Some ways to do this are: Make sure your children are eating healthy so that the brain gets all the nutrients it needs. But don’t just make them food—get your children involved in preparing their meals! A fun way to do this is to make frozen yogurt together with friends and family. Add frozen berries, bananas, nuts, granola and so on. These are all great foods to help boost their metabolism and blood flow to the brain, and help cool their body temperature down. When you are ready to eat, read a great story together out loud that stimulates your child’s imagination, which in turn helps recharge the brain from the draining heat. In fact, reading a book that’s above your child’s grade level—in a cool room—can help revitalize their brain as it challenges their creativity and imagination. Start a new indoor hobby like painting, wall art, or learning a new language to help keep your children’s brains stimulated and active while indoors. Manage your kids’ time online amid high temperatures. Encourage them to read, play with their toys, build blanket and pillow forts and so on instead of just spending time on social media or watching TV all day. Make sure their sleeping environment is as cool as possible, so that they get enough rest. If they want to play, find places that have indoor play areas (such as indoor trampoline parks), or places that offer indoor sports (like basketball). You can even take them to the gym with you if they have a kid-friendly area or pool. For more on keeping cool and staying healthy in extreme heat conditions, listen to my podcast (episode #508). Podcast Highlights 0:15 Extreme temperatures & the brain 1:00 What extreme heat can do to the brain & body 1:28 Ways to keep cool during a heat wave 4:30 What happens in the brain when we are exposed to high temperatures for long periods of time 7:00 Ways you & your children can cool down in the summertime 10:29 How to keep your child’s brain stimulated while spending time indoors This podcast and blog are for educational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. We always encourage each person to make the decision that seems best for their situation with the guidance of a medical professional. To read the original article click here.

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Summer Temps Will Kill Coronavirus on Surfaces Faster

AHA Publisher — Fri, 08 May 2020 07:00:08 +0000

News Staff via Israel21c – Researchers at the Israel Institute for Biological Research say widespread disinfecting won’t be necessary in hot weather. The hotter the surrounding temperature, the faster the novel coronavirus dies on surfaces, say researchers at the Israel Institute for Biological Research in Ness Ziona. The governmental research institute — which is also working toward a Covid-19 treatment and vaccine — says its study indicates the coming summer heat in Israel will neutralize any virus particles on surfaces fairly fast. Their research showed that the virus disappeared from plastic and metal surfaces within about three hours in an environment heated to 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). In contrast, the virus remains active for four days in a 22C (72F) environment. In more good news, the Israeli scientists say there is little danger of virus particles on surfaces getting into air-conditioning systems. Public-health experts believe that infection is less likely to be transferred via contact with surfaces anyway. The main danger is droplets traveling through the air after infected person coughs. The scientists emphasized that even if widespread disinfection of surfaces may not be necessary in hot weather, it is still wise to exercise caution when touching surfaces such as elevator buttons and door handles. The Institute for Biological Research recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot to work together on strategies to battle the coronavirus pandemic. IIBR Chief Innovation Officer Eran Zahavy said the institute also is collaborating with three Israeli companies in the search for a Covid-19 treatment and vaccine. It is aiding Israel’s national initiative to collect and analyze blood plasma from recovered patients toward this goal. To read the original article click here. For more articles from Israel21c click here.

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