Nearly 77 million Americans in the Midwest and Northeast are under a heat warning this week, with the National Weather Service warns of dangerously high temperatures reaching triple digits in many areas.
In Phoenix, temperatures are predicted reach 113 degrees on Thursday – the first day of summer – followed by 115 degrees on Friday.
Extreme heat like this can be lethal, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Heat-related deaths in the US have been rising in recent years, with about 1,600 in 2021; 1,700 in 2022 and 2,300 in 2023, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.
As temperatures are expected to scorch parts of the U.S. this week, here is some important information about what extreme heat can do to the body, who is most at risk, and heat-related illnesses to watch out for:
What happens to your body in extreme heat
A human’s normal body temperature ranges from 97°F to 99°F. Body temperature needs to be regulated for internal organs to function properly. When your brain senses a change in body temperature, whether hot or cold, it tries to help your body readjust.
When the body temperature is too hot, one of the most common ways the body cools is through sweat, which then evaporates into dry heat, thus cooling the body.
The other way the body cools itself is by moving warmer blood from internal organs to capillaries on the surface of the skin. This is why people look flushed when their body temperature is high.
Heat-related illnesses can arise when the air temperature is warmer than the skin temperature, around 90°F, because it is more difficult for the body to cool itself. When there is extreme heat combined with humidity, sweat does not evaporate as easily. This means that your body temperature rises even more, depending on the Mayo Clinic.
Who is most vulnerable to extreme heat?
According to National Institute of Health and the CDC, the following groups are most at risk from extreme heat:
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Children: The way their bodies regulate internal body temperature can leave them feeling overwhelmed more quickly.
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Elderly: They are more probable have a chronic medical condition or are taking medications that affect the body’s response to heat.
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People with chronic medical conditions: They are less likely sense and respond to changes in temperature.
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Pregnant people: Their bodies must work more to cool not just your body but also that of your developing baby.
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Homeless people: Those who are homeless or face housing insecurity are most exposed to extreme heat.
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Athletes and outdoor workers: Those who exercise or do strenuous work outside in extreme heat are more probable become dehydrated and develop a heat-related illness
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Pets: They can develop heat-related illnesses also.
For information about refrigeration centers in your state, the National Health Housing Center provides a list.
Symptoms of heat-related illnesses to watch out for:
The Centers for Disease Control provides a guide on what to watch for and what to do to prevent heat-related illnesses such as heatstroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, sunburn and rashes.
