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Her Zindagi: Heat Wave Warnings: Understanding Who Is Most At Risk, Expected Health Concerns, Skin Cancer, And More With Experts.. Rajeev Aacharya

The heat wave warnings issued by IMD have got most of us worried, especially because of the underlying reasons behind it. Read this article to learn who is most at risk because of the heat waves, the expected health concerns that come with it, ways to minimise the risks of skin cancer, and other information from our experts.

Our experts, Dr Bhavna Bansal, a senior consultant and HOD of histopathology at Oncquest Laboratories told us some tips with which you can save yourself from skin cancer and Rajeev Aacharya, a senior officer working in the water department of Uttar Pradesh and a member of the Indian Water Works Association Mumbai, explained some other points for us.

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Heat Wave Warnings: Who Is Most At Risk?

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The expert, Rajeev Aacharya mentioned that in matters related to heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses, age is a major factor. Here is an age-based breakdown of who is most at risk from heat waves.

Heat Wave Warnings Who Is Most At Risk
  • Young children and infants (under 4): Since their bodies are in the developing stage, they are believed to be less efficient at regulating temperature.
  • School-aged children (5-12): Since they are considerably more active outdoors, they are less likely to recognise or respond to heat stress symptoms.
  • Older adults (over 65): The bodies of older people are not expected to adjust well to sudden temperature changes. Therefore, there are chances that existing health conditions like heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes will be significantly worsened because of the extreme heat.
  • People of all ages with chronic health conditions: Some major diseases like heart disease, lung disease, and especially, liver-related diseases can be exacerbated by heat, therefore, making the patients more susceptible to heatstroke and other complications.

However, social dynamics also play a role, take a look below to understand better:

  • For people who live alone or don’t have the proper resources for air conditioning, there is a higher risk of heatstroke due to social isolation and limited ability to cool down.
Heat Wave Warnings Who Is Most At Risk age factor
  • Someone working or exercising outdoors, for example, construction workers, athletes, and street vendors, who are exposed to the heat for extended periods are significantly at a higher risk due to exertion in hot weather.
  • The expert highlighted that those experiencing homelessness often lack access to shelter, hydration, and medical care, which puts them at substantial risk during heat waves.

Expected Health Concerns