The world is not ready for the number of mental health heat of extreme heat
Temperatures are increasing, just like mental health risks
It is forecast that next summer it will be a scorcher in the United States and climatic scientists predict that at least one of the next five years will overcome 2024 as the hottest year ever registered worldwide. As heat waves are becoming more intense and prolonged, their effect on the mind and body are also becoming more terrible. Children and older people, as well as those who work outdoors, are at greater risk. So are those with mental health disorders.
Heat waves are the only highest cause of climate -related deaths in the US, where approximately 1,300 deaths from stroke and other complications related to temperature every year. Even those who survive an extreme period or heat can suffer serious neurological disorders or other mental health disorders.
A new study published in Current Environmental Health Reports He finds that the world is not prepared to deal with the consequences of the mental health of climate change. Of 83 action plans for heat -related health problems that were reviewed for the study, less than one third recognize the effects of mental health of high extreme or prolonged temperatures. And only a fifth of these plans described specific actions to deal with contingencies, as greater hospitalizations for mental health disorders.
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How does extreme heat affect the brain?
The human body operates optimally at 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius). If a person does not drink enough water when the weather is hot and dry, the body becomes dehydrated, the blood is thick and the heart may not be able to pump enough oxygen to the brain. In addition, the human brain burns 20 percent of the body’s energy and, therefore, needs to dissipate heat efficiently. In warm and humid conditions, sweat cannot cool the body and brain enough. This can lead to heat exhaustion, which has symptoms such as weakness, restlessness and headaches and, in extreme cases, a heat stroke, which can then trigger delirium and loss of consciousness. A significant fraction of the survivors of stroke of heat suffer neurological complications.
Exposure to extreme heat can also the risk of suicide and schizophrenia, epilepsy, anxiety, depression, substance use disorder, neurodegenerative disorders (such as Alzheimer’s disease) and negative emotions such as fear and anger. The dream can worsen, which, in turn, can increase fatigue and harm cognition. Alcohol and recreational drugs, as well as certain measurements used to treat mental illnesses, such as antidepressants, tranquilizers and antipsychotics, also appear to increase the vulnerability of mental health to heat.
Studies find a higher risk of heat waves of suicide and epileptic duration, as well as an increase in hospitalizations and visits to the emergency room for mental health disorders. Heat can also be disoriented to thought, which makes people realize that they need to seek refuge or help.
Who is more at risk?
The most vulnerable are those with existing mental health disorders. Restlessly, prolonged heat waves also seem to worsen risk among young children, and even mental health ailments in the future. Older people can also be particularly affected, such as accelerated dementia and Alzheimer’s.
The particular risk are fixed populations worldwide who live without air conditioning, including poor or homeless people and those who work outdoors, such as farms.
What can be done?
The authors of the new Current Environmental Health Reports The study point points to interventions on several levels to help communities and individuals more risk of climate impacts for mental health. These may include public awareness campaigns, such as warning people about the mental health risk of consuming alcohol or other drug waves. Other interventions include Community Cooling shelters for heat emergencies and the increase in monitoring of mental health patients. The extreme heat is here to stay, at least for the planned future. We need to prepare people and communities to reduce the risk of mental health emergencies.
If you need help
If you or some who know you are fighting or have thoughts or suicides, the aid is available. Call or send a text message to 988 suicide and crisis lifeline at 988 or use the online Lifeline chat