1fs. High Temperatures and Human HealthAside from the discomfort
they can cause, high apparent temperatures can have very substantial
impacts on human welfare.Some effects are indirect; for example, the
combination of high temperatures and humidities increase the growth
rates of household mold and dust mites. Others effects, such as heat
stroke and its precursor, heat exhaustion, are obvious and present an
overriding danger to human health.Anybody who has watched or
participated in physical outdoor sports on hot, humid days is familiar
with the cramping that sometimes occurs. Though painful, the situation
is not serious and can be remedied by stretching and ingesting sports
drinks that help replenish electrolytes. A more serious condition is
heat exhaustion, which occurs after continued exertion in high apparent
temperatures. Victims of heat exhaustion attain elevated core body
temperatures and exhibit symptoms such as light-headedness, nausea,
general weakness, and fatigue. The victim’s skin may also feel cold and
moist. Fortunately, victims of heat exhaustion usually remain cognizant
of the situation and can be relieved of symptoms by getting to a cooler
location and resting, taking a cool shower, and drinking cold,
nonalcoholic beverages. The situation should have no long-term
repercussions.When the body’s temperature rises to 40 °C (104 °F) or
above, the individual has heat stroke. Unlike heat exhaustion, this is
an emergency condition marked by skin that is flushed and warm to the
touch (it may be dry if brought on just by hot conditions or moist if
the result of strenuous exercise in addition to exposure to hot
conditions), nausea, a racing heart rate, unconsciousness or
disorientation, and rapid breathing. These symptoms indicate that
emergency care is needed.Even if the condition persists for just a few
hours, long-term damage to the heart, brain, or kidneys can develop.Heat
stroke is more likely to occur in people exposed to continuously hot
conditions for several days than during brief episodes of extreme
apparent temperatures. Typically, young children and people over age 65
are more likely to get heat stroke, as are people with certain
conditions such as obesity and those taking certain prescription
medications. But anybody–even people who are young and fit–should take
carewhen participating in physically demanding activities during hot,
humid conditions. Experienced runners in high endurance events like the
Chicago Marathon are well aware of the danger of heat stroke (Figure
5-7-1).Name a potentially harmful, non- physiological effect of high
temperature and humidity.FIGURE 5-7-1 2007 Chicago Marathon. The unusual
heat at this event led to one fatality and numerous
hospitalizations.... Get solution
2fs. High Temperatures and Human HealthAside from the discomfort they can cause, high apparent temperatures can have very substantial impacts on human welfare.Some effects are indirect; for example, the combination of high temperatures and humidities increase the growth rates of household mold and dust mites. Others effects, such as heat stroke and its precursor, heat exhaustion, are obvious and present an overriding danger to human health.Anybody who has watched or participated in physical outdoor sports on hot, humid days is familiar with the cramping that sometimes occurs. Though painful, the situation is not serious and can be remedied by stretching and ingesting sports drinks that help replenish electrolytes. A more serious condition is heat exhaustion, which occurs after continued exertion in high apparent temperatures. Victims of heat exhaustion attain elevated core body temperatures and exhibit symptoms such as light-headedness, nausea, general weakness, and fatigue. The victim’s skin may also feel cold and moist. Fortunately, victims of heat exhaustion usually remain cognizant of the situation and can be relieved of symptoms by getting to a cooler location and resting, taking a cool shower, and drinking cold, nonalcoholic beverages. The situation should have no long-term repercussions.When the body’s temperature rises to 40 °C (104 °F) or above, the individual has heat stroke. Unlike heat exhaustion, this is an emergency condition marked by skin that is flushed and warm to the touch (it may be dry if brought on just by hot conditions or moist if the result of strenuous exercise in addition to exposure to hot conditions), nausea, a racing heart rate, unconsciousness or disorientation, and rapid breathing. These symptoms indicate that emergency care is needed.Even if the condition persists for just a few hours, long-term damage to the heart, brain, or kidneys can develop.Heat stroke is more likely to occur in people exposed to continuously hot conditions for several days than during brief episodes of extreme apparent temperatures. Typically, young children and people over age 65 are more likely to get heat stroke, as are people with certain conditions such as obesity and those taking certain prescription medications. But anybody–even people who are young and fit–should take carewhen participating in physically demanding activities during hot, humid conditions. Experienced runners in high endurance events like the Chicago Marathon are well aware of the danger of heat stroke (Figure 5-7-1).What is the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke?FIGURE 5-7-1 2007 Chicago Marathon. The unusual heat at this event led to one fatality and numerous hospitalizations.... Get solution
2fs. High Temperatures and Human HealthAside from the discomfort they can cause, high apparent temperatures can have very substantial impacts on human welfare.Some effects are indirect; for example, the combination of high temperatures and humidities increase the growth rates of household mold and dust mites. Others effects, such as heat stroke and its precursor, heat exhaustion, are obvious and present an overriding danger to human health.Anybody who has watched or participated in physical outdoor sports on hot, humid days is familiar with the cramping that sometimes occurs. Though painful, the situation is not serious and can be remedied by stretching and ingesting sports drinks that help replenish electrolytes. A more serious condition is heat exhaustion, which occurs after continued exertion in high apparent temperatures. Victims of heat exhaustion attain elevated core body temperatures and exhibit symptoms such as light-headedness, nausea, general weakness, and fatigue. The victim’s skin may also feel cold and moist. Fortunately, victims of heat exhaustion usually remain cognizant of the situation and can be relieved of symptoms by getting to a cooler location and resting, taking a cool shower, and drinking cold, nonalcoholic beverages. The situation should have no long-term repercussions.When the body’s temperature rises to 40 °C (104 °F) or above, the individual has heat stroke. Unlike heat exhaustion, this is an emergency condition marked by skin that is flushed and warm to the touch (it may be dry if brought on just by hot conditions or moist if the result of strenuous exercise in addition to exposure to hot conditions), nausea, a racing heart rate, unconsciousness or disorientation, and rapid breathing. These symptoms indicate that emergency care is needed.Even if the condition persists for just a few hours, long-term damage to the heart, brain, or kidneys can develop.Heat stroke is more likely to occur in people exposed to continuously hot conditions for several days than during brief episodes of extreme apparent temperatures. Typically, young children and people over age 65 are more likely to get heat stroke, as are people with certain conditions such as obesity and those taking certain prescription medications. But anybody–even people who are young and fit–should take carewhen participating in physically demanding activities during hot, humid conditions. Experienced runners in high endurance events like the Chicago Marathon are well aware of the danger of heat stroke (Figure 5-7-1).What is the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke?FIGURE 5-7-1 2007 Chicago Marathon. The unusual heat at this event led to one fatality and numerous hospitalizations.... Get solution
