Europe braces for record heatwaves: Tips to stay calm and safe

Europe is warming faster than the global average. Summer began early and is most likely to be the hottest on record. This increases the risk of heat strokes. What does licking your wrists have to do with avoiding them?

This year, heat waves hit Europe earlier than ever; Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, and Italy have already been affected by extreme heat above 40°C. Many places recorded temperatures 10°C higher than the seasonal average. The last 11 months have been the warmest on record globally, and all indications are that the coming months will break these records.

According to the latest data from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the EU climate agency Copernicus (C3S), Europe has been warming twice as fast as the global average since 1991. Twenty-three out of the thirty most severe heatwaves on the continent have occurred since 2000, and five have occurred in the last three years. Both agencies warn that Europe must do more to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and move away from fossil fuels.

Such high temperatures are not indifferent to our health. One of the direct threats they cause is heat strokes. The prematurely started summer has already claimed lives for this reason, not only among pilgrims to Mecca, where more than 1,000 deaths were recorded, but also on the Greek islands, where, among others, the media-renowned English doctor Dr. Micheal Mosley passed away. A heatstroke occurs when the body temperature rises above the normal range of 36-37°C to 40°C.

Dr Donald Grant, a general practitioner and senior clinical advisor at The Independent Pharmacy spoke to the Daily Mail about heat strokes and how to avoid them: "Symptoms of heat stroke include high body temperature, altered behaviour, nausea, rapid heart rate, and headache." Other symptoms include sweating, rapid heartbeat, and dark yellow urine resulting from dehydration.

If we allow dehydration during heatwaves, within just five to ten minutes, the heat deprives vital organs, including the brain, of blood, leading to confusion, dizziness, and loss of consciousness. After 15 minutes, heat stroke occurs, resulting in the "total loss of body functions." The outside temperature does not have to be extremely high for such a risk. Experts suggest taking precautions when the temperature exceeds 27°C. When the temperature exceeds 31°C, the risk becomes high.

Excessive sweating strains the heart. It has to pump blood harder, which carries heat from inside the body to the surface. When the body overheats - leading to a heat stroke - the ability to sweat decreases, and body temperature rises even faster. Lack of oxygen and heat can affect the heart muscle, potentially disrupting the heart's electrical system and causing an irregular heartbeat. In extreme cases, fluid can accumulate in the lungs, making breathing difficult and delivering sufficient oxygen.

Dr Grant explained: "Avoiding long periods of sun exposure and managing water intake is the most effective way to reduce the likelihood of experiencing this dangerous condition." During heatwaves in the UK, the hottest hours are from 12 AM to 5 PM, when the warmed earth releases the heat accumulated during peak sunlight. Therefore, limiting outdoor activities from noon to 5 PM is best. During these hours, intense physical activity outdoors is also not recommended.

If you are outdoors, sunscreen and a bottle of water are essential. A light-coloured hat will help reflect the sun's rays. On the hottest days, it is advisable to close curtains, avoid heat-generating appliances, and ensure air circulation through cross ventilation and fans. It may sound counterintuitive, but studies suggest not opening all windows to keep your home cool. It's worth opening them only if it creates a "draft" or if the outside temperature is lower than inside.

Although heat and cold beer are a combination ingrained in our DNA, it is essential to remember that alcohol is a diuretic, causing more frequent urination. The temperatures we are currently exposed to are higher than ever. Dr Grant emphasised: "Hot weather combined with alcohol can increase the speed of dehydration exponentially; therefore, it’s crucial to manage water intake to avoid falling ill and missing out on the festival fun." If you drink alcohol, you must replenish fluids in your body simultaneously.

During heatwaves, it is also worth... licking your wrists. Several animal kingdom creatures, including kangaroos and monkeys, use this tactic. Although it may sound unhygienic, licking your wrists also helps people "keep a cool head." Wrists contain pulse points where the pulse can be felt because blood vessels are close to the skin's surface. By licking our wrists, we use saliva to mimic the action of sweat, cooling the skin's surface. This slows blood flow, preventing the body from overheating. If licking your wrists doesn't appeal to you, spraying them with water can have a similar effect.