Heat Wave

It’s a scorcher out there folks, and it’s going to get worse this week. This Sunday morning, I’m enjoying breakfast coffee on my patio, in the shade, as it’s already 23c with a moderate UV index of 3. By mid-afternoon, it promises to be 33c in the shade and above 35 in the sun.

As Calgarians with 2/3 of our year in winter conditions, we’re loath to complain about the heat, but it’s hot. Makes me think of a few medical observations. How hot is hot? Well, our body temperature is 36.7c, and our life processes generate heat, more so with exercise or physical work. Other than for short times, we can’t tolerate higher body temps for long. Heat exchanges with a temperature differential, which is where sweating comes in. By sweating, we cover our largest surface area organ, skin, with water. A cooling breeze evaporates water and removes heat, hence the cooling description. You can lose 1 litre of water per hour just sitting in the heat, and easily 3-4 times that with moderate activity.

Without drinking enough water replacement, your ability to shed heat his progressively impaired; you heat up as you dehydrate. Initial symptoms include thirst, dry mouth, fatigue and sluggishness. As heat exhaustion ensues, you’ll start to feel dizzy, sweat a lot of the remaining water, and feel nausea, muscle crampy, clammy. You need rest, active cooling (breezy shade, air con, cold shower) and lots of water until you feel better. Beyond heat exhaustion is heat stroke. While not a brain stroke, heat stroke is still a medical emergency (someone call 911). Symptoms include pounding headache, no longer sweating (out of water), vomiting, red hot skin, internal temp 40 & rising, pounding pulse and progressive loss of consciousness. Urgent cooling, hydration by IV and potential resuscitation are needed.

With some planning and preparation, you can not only get through our heat wave, but even enjoy it. When out, stay in the shade, keep up plenty of water (alcoholic and caffeinated drinks are nice, but are relatively dehydrating), moderate you activities, and keep watch over each other. In the sun, wear a hat, sun clothing, minimum SPF 30 sunscreen applied every couple hours, protect your eyes (polarized sunglasses), and keep track of the kids. If inside, air conditioning is nice, but you may get away with open shaded window cross-breezes (otherwise closed windows are better), blinds to cover sunny windows, and hanging out in the cooler basement with fans. Don’t forget a big water bowl for the pets.

I think I’m going to blitz up a batch of mango slushies for lunch, and do all our cooking outside. My BBQ is already strategically in the shade. Cheers, everyone.