“Heat-related illnesses are those illnesses attributed to excessive heat in the body that causes dysregulation and dysfunction of normal organ systems and in severe cases leads to organ failure and death,” said Dr. David Ng, an emergency physician at downtown Toronto. CTVNews.ca. “Severe heat illness leading to organ failure and death is generally uncommon, but when it does occur, it occurs in an epidemic group of cases at the same time.” High temperatures killed at least 595 people in B.C. during a “heat dome” in 2021 and another 156 in 2009, according to Health Canada. in Quebec, the heat led to 280 deaths in 2010. Dr. Michael Brower, a professor at the University of British Columbia’s School of Population and Public Health, says climate change is bringing the threat of heatwaves to an increasing number of Canadians. “We’ve always had extreme heat events, but they’re getting warmer and more frequent as well,” Dr. Brower told CTVNews.ca. “This is not going to go away.” Environment Canada has already issued several heat warnings this year, with temperature records being broken in places like Dominion City, Man. and Inuvik, NWT Europe has been even hotter this summer, with temperatures approaching or exceeding 40C in Portugal, Spain, France and even the UK “The hottest part of the summer is yet to come,” Environment Canada senior climatologist Dave Phillips warned on CTV News Channel on Monday. “We think July and August will be warmer than normal.” While temperatures dropped in parts of Canada on Monday, heat warnings were in effect for large parts of Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. Environment Canada’s criteria for issuing a heat warning varies by region, but generally occurs when temperatures approach 30 C for two or more consecutive days, increasing the risk of heat-related illness. SIGNS OF HEAT ILLNESS According to Health Canada, signs of heatstroke may include headache, nausea or vomiting, dizziness or fainting, rapid breathing and heart rate, excessive thirst, or decreased or unusually dark yellow urine. Rashes, confusion, muscle cramps and profuse sweating are also indicators. “When someone has a heat illness, the body does its best to cool itself by sweating,” explained Dr. Ng. “However, sometimes it’s too hot to sweat it out. When that happens, a person can go from heat exhaustion to heat stroke.” Heatstroke can be fatal or life-changing and is evident when someone has a high body temperature and is either unconscious, confused or has stopped sweating. “Symptoms of mild heat illness such as heat exhaustion overlap with severe heat illness in terms of hot skin, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting,” said Dr Ng. “However, once neurological symptoms such as confusion, irritability, or seizures develop, this condition becomes heatstroke, and this is a life-threatening emergency. Even in those who survive, many may have long-term neurological complications, such as balance , memory problems and dementia”. WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO? If you develop signs or symptoms like these during extreme heat, move to a cooler or shaded area and drink fluids. Get emergency medical help immediately if someone shows signs of heatstroke. “If they are confused or feeling quite ill, it is absolutely necessary to call 911 and get them evaluated and treated in an emergency department, as organ failure and death can occur in the case of heatstroke,” warned Dr. While you wait for help, you can cool someone down by fanning them and applying cold water to their skin and clothing. Dr. Brower also emphasized the importance of checking in on people who are socially isolated during heat events, such as the elderly and those with mental illness. “As heat-related illness takes its toll on a person, your ability to actually make decisions is reduced, so you may not realize it or have the ability to cool down,” Dr. Brower said. “So it’s really important for people to check each other out.” WHO IS AT MOST RISK? Infants, young children and older adults are most at risk of heat-related illness, as are people with chronic conditions or illnesses such as breathing difficulties, heart disease, kidney disease or diabetes. Those who toil outdoors, such as construction and road repair workers, as well as people who exercise in the heat, are also at higher risk. Mobility challenges, certain medications, and pregnancy are also factors. “Unfortunately, there is also an association between increased heat and worsening mental health leading to increased suicides and increased violence leading to intimate partner violence,” Dr Ng added. TIPS FOR KEEPING COOL To stay cool in sweltering temperatures, draw your blinds and cover them with light-colored, light, and loose-fitting clothing when you go outdoors. Other tips are also fairly common: wear a hat and sunscreen, stay hydrated, seek air conditioning, stay in the shade when possible, cool off with a swim or shower, and save strenuous work or exercise for another day or a cooler time. Avoiding hot and heavy meals can help, as can avoiding using your oven. Also remember to never leave people or pets in a parked vehicle or in direct sunlight. When it’s really hot, Dr. Brower says fans aren’t used much. “They don’t really cool you down,” he said. “Just blowing that dry air in many cases can increase your dehydration. Really, getting cool water in your body is the best thing you can do, as well as drinking cool fluids and drinking lots of cool water. “
