The Caribbean is on Fire and Our Health is at Risk

The hottest months in the Caribbean are June to October. With global warming, these months are becoming discernibly hotter than in past years. Inextricably associated with the blistering heat and stifling humidity is a spectrum of heat-related illnesses.

Some indisputable facts:

●Heat has killed more locals than natural disasters in Australia, Arizona, Kuwait, Iran, Ecuador, and other places.
●Heat-related deaths worldwide are up by 56% since 2018.
●Heat stroke kills 80+% of its victims.
●Heat-related illnesses are preventable.
●While certain groups are more vulnerable to extreme heat, however, no one is immune.

How Heat Kills

If the ambient temperature is very high it becomes difficult for the body’s natural cooling mechanisms (e.g. sweating) to cool the body. This can result in the body overheating, leading to:

●A reduction in tissue oxygen
●Cytotoxicity within the cells
●Inflamed tissues
●Clotting in the blood vessels throughout the body
●Breakdown of muscle cells (rhabdomyolysis)
The aforementioned are most likely to impact the following organs:
●Brain
●Heart
●Intestines
●Kidneys
●Liver
●Lungs
●Pancreas

Those most vulnerable to heat-related illnesses include:

●Older than 65
●Younger than 4
●Pregnant/ breastfeeding
●Overweight
●Persons with major illnesses (e.g. heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes)
●Socioeconomically disadvantaged (poor, clustered housing, suboptimal diets)
●Performing heavy labour outdoors
●Certain medications (e.g. diuretics, benzodiazepines, laxatives, neuroleptics, L.thyroxine)

Other Factors that Contribute to Heat-related Illnesses

●Dehydration – Secondary to strenuous exercise, diarrhoea/ vomiting, excess alcohol consumption, medications, suboptimal intake of water
●Poor ventilation/ airflow
●Protracted sun exposure between 10:00 a.m and 3:00 p.m
●Events with large crowds
●Drugs e.g. ecstasy and speed

Types of heat-related illnesses and associated symptoms

●Heat rash: Itchy/ prickly rash covering a large area. Looks like a fine rash, pimples, or small water blisters. Mostly neck, trunk, groin, and elbow creases.
●Heat cramps/ spasms: Can affect any muscle group, mostly reported in the abdomen, and upper and lower limbs.
●Heat syncope (fainting): May initially experience dizziness and light headedness before collapsing into an unconscious state.
●Heat exhaustion – Range of symptoms includes profuse sweating, muscle cramps, extreme weakness, nausea/ vomiting, light headedness, headaches, elevated body temperature, increased weak pulse, rapid shallow breathing, and clammy skin.
●Heatstroke: There is no sweating, mentally disoriented, light headedness, headaches, shallow and rapid breathing, hot and dry skin, convulsions, unconsciousness, and markedly elevated body temperature.

Tips to prevent heat-related illness

●Drink lots of fluids, especially on hot days. Preferably water. Avoid drinks that can dehydrate such as alcohol, coffee, tea, and other caffeinated beverages.
●Minimize exposure to heat. Stay indoors or in the shade.
●When outdoors protect yourself – cover exposed skin with light-coloured cotton wear, keep your head covered with broad-brimmed hats, and gravitate to shaded areas. Use heat-reflective umbrellas, especially for the elderly or young children outdoors.
●Outdoor exercise and activities should be scheduled to avoid the hotter times of the day between 10:00 a.m and 3:00 p.m.
●Educate your children on how important it is to consume lots of fluids.
●Never leave children or older folks in cars, unless it’s for a very short period of time and the windows must be rolled down (please consider safety).
●Take showers often
●Opt for cool drinks vs hot
●Check-in on elderly friends/ relatives often
●Learn basic first aid
●Consider placing awnings over windows that are struck by the morning and afternoon sun.
●Aim for an indoor temperature of 32C or less. Fans help, however, if the temperature is above 35C they are not very effective.
●Consider installing an air-conditioning unit if possible.
●Hanging indoor towels soaked in cool water helps to reduce the temperature of a room.

Governments should consider legislating heat-mitigating building codes regarding all new buildings:

• Installing ceilings
• Placement of small air holes above ceilings to allow hot air to escape
• Placement of doors and windows to allow maximum ventilation
• Other

Remove import duties from solar-powered AC units, reflective (rooftop) paints, and awnings.
Painting rooftops of all government buildings, especially schools, with sun-reflective paint

Seek immediate medical help if:

●There is fainting, agitation, confusion
●Unable to consume fluids
●Not sweating
●Dry or clammy skin
●Temperature 102.2F or 39C or higher
●Fast or weak pulse
●Nausea/ vomiting
●Diarrhoea
●Severe muscle cramps or spasms
●Dark or very concentrated urine

Author: Dr. C. Malcolm Grant – Family Physician, c/o Family Care Clinic, Arnos Vale.
For appointments: clinic@familycaresvg.com, 1(784)570-9300 (Office), 1(784)455-0376 (WhatsApp)
Disclaimer: The information provided in the above article is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. Dr. C. Malcolm Grant, Family Care Clinic or The Searchlight Newspaper or their associates, respectively, are not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information provided above.