Effects of Climate Change on Thermoregulation and Heatstroke

Heat-related illnesses: types, symptoms, and at-risk groups.

Although the main causes of illness and death during a heatwave are respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, there are two additional specific heat-related illnesses:

Ø Heat exhaustion, a mild/moderate illness that can be quickly remedied with appropriate intervention.

Ø Heatstroke, a serious, potentially life threatening condition, in which acute complications can develop.

At-risk groups: Everybody can be affected by high temperatures, but there are certain factors that increase an individual’s risk during a heatwave. These include:

Ø Older age: especially those over 75 years old, or those living on their own and who are socially isolated, or those living in a care home.

Ø Chronic and severe illness: including heart or lung conditions, diabetes, renal insufficiency, Parkinson’s disease, or severe mental illness.

Ø Inability to adapt behaviour to keep cool: babies and the very young (with immature body thermoregulation systems and smaller body mass and blood volume), having a disability, being bed bound, consuming too much alcohol, or having Alzheimer’s disease.

Ø Environmental factors and overexposure: living in a top floor flat, being homeless, activities or jobs that are in hot places or outdoors and include high levels of physical exertion.