As Central and Eastern Europe are gripped by a huge heat wave, it is worth thinking what affect this has on our health. Humans are susceptible to changes of temperature. By far the most important is loss of body fluid and dehydration and, with it, body salt and other chemicals. Children are more susceptible to loss of body fluids than are adults.
Not only does temperature change have an effect on dehydration, but it also challenges our immune system, particularly so when it changes rapidly or when we are exposed to sudden and more prolonged periods of cooling.
There is always a great debate about air conditioning and its effects on health. Its benefit is that is does cool air and therefore decreases temperature. But it also dries air and increases loss of body fluid at the same time, often subjecting us to sustained periods of cooling which can affect our immune system and leave us prone to infections.
Being exposed to dry air for long periods of time also affects the linings of our mouth, throat, nose and ears — all of which should be bathed in moist air — and this explains why those working in air-conditioned environments more commonly have ear, nose and throat infections and other problems.
We shouldn’t forget that heat and dryness also have an effect on our psychology. Most people and children become more irritable in hot periods. Indeed in times of prolonged heat wave, the homicide rate in most countries nearly doubles and traffic accidents increase alarmingly.
Most large cities will experience an increase in air pollution during the summer. Kyiv is not immune to this and driving and living downtown during a heat wave will affect many allergies. Petrochemical pollution in Kyiv is a major problem and emissions from many trucks and old cars here would not be tolerated in Western Europe.
Sleep is often disturbed by high temperatures and most people will also wish to delay eating in the evening until the temperature falls, often delaying their usual bedtime. This sleep disturbance merely increases the fatigue and irritability.
So what are the tips for survival in this sort of heat?
The first is to think cool. Slow down physically and mentally, particularly when in the midday heat. Avoid heavy exertion at these times. Recognize any irritability that heat may produce so you don’t pass this on to work colleagues, family and other drivers! In particular, keep children under 5 out of extreme heat.
Everybody needs to drink more fluid and a minimum of 3 liters a day for adults and twice the daily norm for children. Drink fluids that replace body salts, such as those used by sportsmen. Remember that air travel adds to dehydration. Alcohol has a dehydrating effect and is best avoided during heat waves. Naturally beer is better than wine or spirits, as it simply contains more fluid.
I advise using fans more than air conditioning. If you do use air conditioning, use it to slowly lower the temperature and avoid creating large and sustained decreases in temperature.
I think it is, however, useful at night to lower the temperature of bedrooms to a comfortable level that allows easy sleep and then switch it off as natural nighttime cooling kicks in. Try to ensure you get adequate sleep.
Avoid heavy meals in hot times and, of course, pay attention to food hygiene as bacteria love hot conditions. If you are an allergy sufferer, try to avoid heavily polluted areas and avoid sitting in traffic jams.
If you happen to be unwell in the heat, seek a cool room to rest in. Use fans for cooling and ensure that you have good fluid and salt intake. Avoid using air conditioning to nurse ill patients. At the weekend on the beach, remember that the effects of the sun are stronger and that you will lose even more fluids sunbathing. So keep drinking fluids and keep cool in the water. With these simple tips, the present heat wave will seem much less disturbing.
Dr. Richard Styles is a British family physician at American Medical Centers, a full-service clinic, in Kyiv.
