Heatwaves are silent killers, and the death toll is often recognised only months after the official figures emerge.
If heatwaves were named as storms to highlight the risk they pose, the dangers would be more widely recognised. Indeed, one in Europe in 2017 got more attention when it was nicknamed Lucifer, which kills many more people each year in the UK than in any storm.
Heat exposure has also been linked with an increased risk of death or disability among children, older adults, people with chronic medical conditions and those who are obese.
The heatwave that swept through Europe in the summer of 2003 caused an excess of deaths over the normal seasonal average. Extreme heat exposure can be dangerous for those already vulnerable to the heat, such as the elderly or those living in poorly ventilated buildings.
In addition, excessive heat exposure is linked to increased crime rates, domestic violence incidents, and increased instances of road traffic accidents. In the UK, for example, one in six deaths is attributable to extreme heat.
With temperatures in the United Kingdom breaking records this month, what is the impact of heat waves on your health? Because higher temperatures can pose additional challenges for individuals with Physical and Mental Health conditions. Roughly 1,000 to 3,000 people die every year as a result of heat.
Stress-related conditions that are increased by heat waves are known as psychosocial stressors. These include the subjective experience of a perceived threat from hot weather and the social impact of staying outside during these conditions.
The public health implications can be demonstrated by the fact that these psychosocial stressors often result in higher rates of anxiety, depression, aggression, addiction and suicide during extreme heat.
Are heatwaves a consideration for your mental health?
“In recent years, there’s been an increasingly large body of research showing us that heatwaves exacerbate outcomes for those with underlying psychiatric illnesses,” says Dr Laurence Wainwright, (University of Oxford UK).
Rates of suicides go up, and for those with existing conditions, symptoms can be intensified” he adds, noting that for people with conditions such as bipolar disorder, extreme heat can trigger manic phases.
Prof Tahseen Jafry, Glasgow Caledonian University, said: “With increased temperature rises, there is evidence to show that there are more frequent visits to hospitals for mental health, mental illnesses and behavioural and mood disorders.”
A study published in 2007 found a 3.8% increase in suicide rates for every 1C rise in average temperature above 18C. Researchers also found that higher temperatures are associated with increased aggression and violence – possibly due to the impact on various hormones – and can affect cognitive function, leaving people feeling fuzzy-headed. In Australia, where suicide rates were found to be higher on days when temperatures reached above 20 °C (68 °F).
How does heat affect mental health?
https://mentalhealthtraining.info/health-and-wellness/heatwave
