27 ways to die from it: why is the heat so dangerous?

From where?
The human body tries to keep its temperature above 37 degrees. One of the ways to do this is to sweat. Sweat evaporates. This process requires energy drawn from the body in the form of heat through the skin. When the humidity in the air is too high, sweat no longer evaporates. The body’s cooling mechanism stops.

At what point does it get difficult at such a moment?
For example, if your stomach has to digest something heavy like a pork leg, or if you are in poor health, there is a risk of overheating. This may already be the case when the temperature is slightly above 30 degrees.

What is the so-called “perceived temperature”?
Interaction of air temperature, humidity, solar radiation and wind movement. The temperature felt in the sun is much higher than the measured air temperature and therefore provides more important information for humans than the measured temperature. For example, the wind makes the air feel cooler. And high humidity does the opposite. 35 degrees without wind and humid air can be much more uncomfortable than 41 degrees with wind and dry air.

What other factors affect heat risk?
For example, the concentration of pollutants such as ozone in the air. Or dust and pollen. Because we breathe faster and deeper when the air is hot, much more can enter our airways and attack them accordingly. Whether heat is dangerous also depends on how high the UV radiation is and how many hot days we have had. The first heat wave of the year is the hardest for us because our bodies haven’t gotten used to the temperatures yet.

Why do women experience heat differently than men?
When blood vessels dilate due to heat, blood pressure drops, which can cause weakness and dizziness. Women tend to be smaller than men, have a larger body surface and fewer sweat glands.

Why are there so many elderly people among heat-related deaths?
In general, older people are less adaptable. From a certain age, the body also produces less and less heat. For this reason, old people feel more comfortable at 26 degrees and younger people at 24 degrees. In extreme heat, the situation is completely different. Older people find them uncomfortable much faster than younger people because their bodies don’t adapt quickly. In addition, as the feeling of thirst decreases as they get older, older people lose water more quickly. It’s important to keep reminding them to drink while it’s hot. The dose of medication also needs to be adjusted.

Which drug?
For example, drugs that lower blood pressure. Many older people also store their medicines on the windowsill because the light is particularly good there. Not a good place when it’s hot. Many heat-related deaths could have been prevented if neighborhood assistance was better taken care of. Measures such as dispensers and air-conditioned cooling centers where passers-by can cool off are good and correct. But who would think of Aunt Erna on the fifth floor, having to carry her purchases upstairs without an elevator?

In the magazine “Spiegel” they talk about 35 ways to die from the heat – an eerie number!
There are actually only 27 of them. The most common are dehydration, circulatory failure, and heat stroke.

What is the composition of the remaining 24 types of death?
A doctor should answer that. Information on this can also be found in an expert journal by American researchers from 2017.