We recently lived through what was likely the hottest month ever recorded on Earth, according to a shared July announcement by the World Meteorological Organization and Copernicus, the European Union’s climate monitoring program. And as the planet heats up, the health burden isn’t shared equally.
Factors such as which country someone lives in, how much money they have, what they do for work, their age and whether they live with any health conditions all play a role in the impact.
In terms of your underlying health, a range of conditions involving everything from the skin to the heart, can be aggravated by high temperatures. This means people with a health condition should be given extra care in times of extreme heat.
As always, you should consult your doctor or call 911 if you’re in distress or are having a hard time breathing. Also, it’s helpful to know the symptoms of heatstroke or whether it’s heat exhaustion, which typically occurs before heatstroke begins.
It’s also important to note that some health conditions (cardiovascular disease, for example) are more common in older adults, who may already be at higher risk of heat illness. And taking certain medications can also influence your body’s response to the heat and raise the risk of heat illness.
Read more: Electrolytes: Tips to Stay Hydrated Throughout the Day
Respiratory conditions
People with health conditions that affect the lungs or airway, like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, are more affected by the heat. If you have a respiratory condition, pay attention to air quality alerts in your area and limit your time outside on the hottest days.
What to do: If you have asthma or use an inhaler, you may want to carry your inhaler with you at all times, as explained by Penn Medicine, and check in with your doctor if you notice your symptoms worsening. Make note of the inhaler’s instructions for storage, and definitely don’t leave it in your hot car.
As laid out by Temple Health, you may also want to plan your day around the hottest periods of time. For example, if you need to run errands, try going out in the morning or later in the evening.
Research has shown that environmental stressors, including high temperatures and heat, affect a pregnancy and a developing fetus.
Autoimmune diseases
Health conditions that start at the immune system may flare up for people during the summer months. According to the Global Autoimmune Institute, high temperatures, UV light and humidity can trigger an immune response. Lupus, multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis and more may all be exacerbated by the heat, whether the effects are in the joints (as with arthritis) or neurological (as with MS).
What to do: The National Multiple Sclerosis Society recommends doing all the things you’re probably already doing to stay cool, like staying in an air conditioned space (the society also notes that your AC cost may be tax deductible, if your health care provider writes a prescription for it to minimize symptoms). But it also recommends doing some pre- and post-cooling if you’ll be exercising, by gradually adding cool water to tepid bath water. In general, as the Global Autoimmune Institute says, be mindful of sudden changes in temperature, which may also cause problems (i.e. going from a very cold air conditioned room to a 90-something degree sunny day). Allow your body time to ease into it.
If you have an autoimmune condition that affects the skin, like psoriasis, and warm weather makes it worse instead of better, you may help prevent a flare-up by following the skin care tips for people with eczema, like using gentle soaps and limiting warm showers.
Mental health conditions
Extreme heat and climate change affect mental health in many ways, and many mental health conditions are more likely to occur in people with other health conditions, or who are affected by factors that make them more vulnerable to high heat, like poverty. According to the American Psychiatric Association, extreme heat can make people feel more irritable and can worsen symptoms of depression. Some people are more explicitly affected by heat, like those with schizophrenia who have more problems regulating their body temperature. Also, psychotropic medications people may be taking for mood or behavior can increase the risk the heat-related illness.
Heat can also impact sleep quality, which is directly linked to the state of your mental health.
What to do: If you have symptoms of anxiety or depression, are feeling hopeless, or experiencing other unpleasant feelings, reach out for help. Check out these online therapy services, or these tips for making friends with whom you may find a sense of community.
For everyone, be sure to reach out to your neighbor and check in during heat waves, whether they have a physical condition that makes them more susceptible to heat, or a mental hardship. Sometimes the symptoms of heat exhaustion, or the more serious heatstroke, can sneak up on a person.
