Doctors and healthcare professionals warn Canadians not only take care of themselves, but also check on vulnerable others as much as they face a swelling heat wave across much of central Canada.
Anthony Funnel, chief meteorologist at Global News, says a large heatridge or dome will be built in the Ohio Valley, USA, and will expand to southeastern Canada by the end of the weekend.
Temperatures are expected to reach C in the mid-30s to mid-30s, and Himidex could make it feel much higher, and Himidex's measurements are potentially measured in the mid-40s.
When the heat hits these levels, your body must work hard to keep itself cool.
“The hypothalamus acts as a thermostat, sending signals to the heart, signaling them so that they start to beat faster, and signaling our bodies to breathe a little faster, which helps to flow blood to the limbs and dissipate heat through shining heat loss.”
“We also send signals so that we can cool through evaporative cooling when we sweat.”
What does extreme heat do to your body?
Prolonged exposure to heat can affect the human body in a variety of ways.
One of the most common is heat fatigue, which can lead to heat stroke.
According to Health Canada, heat exhaustion is characterized by headaches, dizziness, extreme thirst, severe sweating, muscle cramps, nausea and vomiting, and if you experience these symptoms, people immediately recommend moving to a cool place and drinking water.
If left untreated, the fatigue can become a heat stroke. This is defined by Johns Hopkins' medicine as the body is overwhelmed by excessive heat.
People who suffer from heat stroke often have warm, dry skin, internal temperatures of confusion and nausea, which can worsen conditions, including seizures, coma and even death.
People keep an eye on temperature, but research shows that people should also be aware of the temperature of “wet light bulbs.” If both humidity and temperature are high, it can be difficult to let the heat flow and keep it cool.
A 2010 study found that a wet bulb temperature of 35 C that lasts more than six hours can cause serious health effects and death.
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A 2022 Journal of Applied Physiology study found that humidity is 100%, with a low threshold of 31C, and that at 38C, only 60% of the humidity could be too high for the body.
If you are suffering from a fever stroke or notice someone with similar symptoms, move to a cool place and call 911 as it is a life-threatening medical emergency.
“If the heat makes you feel sick, ask for a doctor or call 911. Don't be afraid to ask for help,” said Caroline Metz, managing director of climate resilience and health at the University of Waterloo's Untreated Centre for Climate Adaptation.
Vulnerable populations such as young people and older people, or those with chronic illnesses, may find it more difficult to beat fever.
Nemours US Children Health says that children's bodies are still developing, sweating at lower speeds than adults, starting to sweat at higher temperatures, and at higher risk of fever-related illnesses.
According to BC Interior Health, seniors may be struggling to access cool spaces due to mobility and transportation challenges, which means they are facing higher risks, and the challenges of living alone may be accessing cool spaces.
Like other Canadians, older adults may have chronic underlying health conditions or take medications that interfere with the body's ability to stay cool.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US point out that people with these conditions are less likely to respond to temperature changes, while those with heart disease, mental illness, and obesity are at a higher risk of fever-related illnesses.
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“That's why people with chronic health conditions are at a higher risk of developing heat fatigue, heat strokes, where the body's natural cooling mechanisms have collapsed, causing temperatures to exceed 40 degrees,” Green said.
“It will ultimately end with massive inflammation and failure of the organs in our body.”
People taking chronic medications can also be affected. For example, beta blockers prevent the heart from beating faster in response to heat, preventing the body from cooling naturally.
However, it is not just your health or age that will lead to vulnerability.
“Everyone who works outside or experiences homelessness, they are exposed to the fever, and that's a more at-risk group or population,” Mets said.
How to protect yourself and others
The Mets notes that it is important for people to be careful about others and check in with their neighbors during the heat wave.
A BC Coroner's report following the 2023 Heat Dome noted that 98% of 619 deaths were identified as occurring indoors, and 56% of those who died occurred indoors.
“Social cohesion or social connection has been shown to be a very important factor for resilience and health during heat waves,” Mets said.
“In fact, in a culture where multi-generational families live together, it's very natural for people to care for others. So they don't often experience the same kind of situations that we live in a generation here in North America.
“The ability to reach out, call someone, or stop by has been shown to greatly support the health and well-being of isolated people.”
She added that seniors and people living alone should reach out to others to let them know they are themselves and be open to having someone check on them during extreme weather conditions.
As a heat wave enters Ontario later this weekend, the Mets said they should stay in the coolest part of the home or go to a community cooling centre if possible.
“If you need to go out, I want to do it on some of the coolest days,” she suggested, noting that this means early morning and late evening.
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