The Silent Threat: How Heat Waves Affect Human Health
As the summer sun blazes down, many of us welcome the longer days and opportunities for outdoor activities. However, for a significant portion of the population, rising temperatures, particularly during a heat wave, pose a serious and often underestimated threat to health. Heat waves, defined as prolonged periods of abnormally hot weather, can push the human body to its limits, leading to a cascade of physical and even mental health issues. So, how exactly do these intense periods of heat impact our well-being? Let's delve into the various ways our bodies respond to and can suffer from extreme temperatures. The Body's Battle Against Heat: From Dehydration to Heatstroke Our bodies are incredibly adept at regulating internal temperature, primarily through sweating. As sweat evaporates from the skin, it carries away heat, cooling us down. However, during a heat wave, especially when humidity is high, this natural cooling mechanism can become overwhelmed. The immediate and most c...