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Scottish Sun
01-07-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Minute by minute – how the hot weather affects your body and the 10 signs you must never ignore
Plus, how to stay safe during hot weather - from when to go outside to what to drink HOT BOD Minute by minute – how the hot weather affects your body and the 10 signs you must never ignore Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BRITAIN is baking in glorious sunshine. The Met Office predicts temperatures will hit 36C in parts of the UK today, after one of the hottest Junes on record, and sticky nights aren't offering much relief. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Crowded beach in Lyme Regis, UK, yesterday Credit: Alamy 3 It's imperative to remember key sun safety, including drinking plenty of fluids and topping up sun screen Credit: Getty Most of England is currently subject to an amber heath health alert, meaning the entire population, the NHS, and transportation is likely to be affected by scorching temperatures. This is because while the sunshine gives us a healthy hit of vitamin D we've all been dying for, the heat also brings a host of health risks we can't afford to ignore. This could include a rise in deaths, particularly in people over 65 and those with existing health conditions, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. There are also concerns over an increase in demand on health and care services, and overheated hospitals and care homes. Experts say it can take as little as ten minutes to get sunburnt and 15 minutes to get heatstroke, in a worst case scenario. Heatstroke happens when your body overheats so badly it can't cool itself down - and if left untreated, it can be deadly. When the sun suddenly comes out in the UK, Brits are quick to get outside and lap up the rays. It's imperative to remember key sun safety, including drinking plenty of fluids and topping up sun screen. Here, experts reveal just how dangerous a hot weather can be, and how fast its effects could set in. Under 10 minutes: SUNBURN YOU might be fooled into thinking sunburn is only something that happens on holiday. Don't take the risk, as sunburn can occur in under 10 minutes, even if you can't see it straight away. Dr Kathryn Basford, of online doctors service ZAVA UK, told The Sun: 'You can very easily burn in as little as 10 minutes, if you're out in the sun and not properly protected from UV rays. 'It can also present itself through the course of the day and take between 24 to 72 hours to develop.' Sunburn doesn't just cause sore and sometimes blistered skin, but affects your temperature regulation. Prof Mike Tipton, Human and Applied Physiology, University of Portsmouth, told The Sun: 'Sunburn reduces sweating, which is an indirect problem in terms of impairing your thermo regulatory capabilities.' How fast your skin reacts will depend on whether you are wearing any sun screen, your clothing, your complexion and how strong the UV rays are. With every episode of sunburn, you increase the chances of skin cancer, as well as faster ageing skin. 15 minutes: HEAT EXHAUSTION HEAT exhaustion is the illness that precedes heatstroke. The symptoms include nausea, dizziness, muscle weakness, sweating, cool and clammy skin, irritability and confusion. A key sign is body temperature going above 41C - this can happen within 10 to 15 minutes of being in hot weather, according to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. Prof Tipton warned heat exhaustion is a particular risk for babies and small children. He said: 'By putting people into warm baths, we can get their core temperature up by a degree and a half in 15 or 20 minutes. So you can get hot very quickly. 'If you're a small individual in a hot environment, particularly an environment with direct exposure to the sun, you're looking at heat related problems in 15 to 20 minutes.' The 10 signs in the heat you should never ignore If you're spending prolonged periods of time in the heat - then it's important to stay protected. But, we are all human and sometimes we might forget to wear a hat or top up our suncream. There are some clear warning signs you should never ignore - seeking shade and medical help if appropriate. Feeling off or out of sorts Nausea Dizziness Muscle weakness Sweating Cool and clammy skin Irritability and confusion Headache Thirst Loss of appetite These could all be signs of heat stroke or heat exhaustion. For adults, Prof Tipton said a dangerous increase in core temperature depends on a number of factors. But in a hot and humid environment where someone is exercising, 'you'll be looking at getting your body temperature to a dangerous level in around 20 minutes,' he said. Dr Basford said: 'Depending on how hot it is or how long you are in the sun, heat exhaustion can develop within a few minutes or gradually over several hours or days. 'It's important to cool down as soon as you notice any of these signs as heat exhaustion can develop into heatstroke if your body has become too hot and starts to lose water or salt.' Minutes to hours: HEATSTROKE 3 If not treated quickly, it can turn into heatstroke, which can be life threatening Credit: Getty HEAT exhaustion is not usually serious if you can cool down within 30 minutes, the NHS says, by going to a cool place, lying down and raising the feet, drinking water and cooling the skin. But if someone does not feel any better after 30 minutes, you should call 999. This is a sign they have heatstroke, which is when the body is unable to control its temperature. The symptoms include hot and dry skin, difficulty walking, poor balance, confusion and disorientation and seizures (in severe cases). Dr Basford said: 'Similar to heat exhaustion, heatstroke can develop within minutes or gradually over the course of several hours or days. 'While less common, heatstroke can be very serious if not addressed quickly." 30 minutes: DEHYDRATION IT'S imperative to make sure you are getting enough fluids during the day, let alone during a heatwave. Dehydration can be life-threatening, especially in the elderly, children and babies. Dr Basford said: 'When you're out and about in the sun, it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to up to a few hours for the body to feel dehydrated. 'When exposed to the heat without properly hydrating your body, the water levels can fall low and you'll experience waves of fatigue, thirst, light-headedness and sometimes dizziness. 'Drinking water regularly can help you remain hydrated, as well as swerving those drinks that can dehydrate you further, like caffeine or alcohol.' Dehydration can exacerbate, and contribute to, any of the heat illnesses described above. Prof Tipton said: 'You need to sweat in order to maintain your body temperature, and that sweating is going to be impaired if you become dehydrated.' Up to two days: DEATH PROF Tipton said: 'Over the course of a heatwave, there'll be about 1,500 to 2,000 excess deaths, but very, very few of those deaths are caused by the direct effects of heating. 'The majority of people that die do so within the first couple of days of a heatwave. 'And the vast majority of those that die are over the age of 65 and their deaths are caused more by the stress that the heat puts on their cardiovascular system.' When the body's core temperature reaches dangerous levels, this adds additional strain to what might be an already compromised cardiovascular system, heart and heart and blood vessels. One of the other major causes of a heatwave related death is a blood clot, Prof Tipton said, as dehydration causes the blood to thicken. This can happen to those with pre existing conditions, or even those who are reasonably healthy but, due to their age, don't have blood vessels as healthy as they once were.
The Irish Sun
01-07-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Minute by minute – how the hot weather affects your body and the 10 signs you must never ignore
BRITAIN is baking in glorious sunshine. 3 Crowded beach in Lyme Regis, UK, yesterday Credit: Alamy 3 It's imperative to remember key sun safety, including drinking plenty of fluids and topping up sun screen Credit: Getty Most of England is currently subject to an amber heath health alert, meaning the entire population, the NHS, and transportation is likely to be affected by scorching temperatures. This is because while the sunshine gives us a healthy hit of vitamin D we've all be dying for, the heat also brings a host of health risks we can't afford to ignore. This could include a rise in deaths, particularly in people over 65 and those with existing health conditions, including There are also concerns over an increase in demand on health and care services, and overheated hospitals and care homes. Read more on heatstroke Experts say it can take as little as ten minutes to get Heatstroke happens when your body overheats so badly it can't cool itself down - and if left untreated, it can be deadly. When the sun suddenly comes out in the UK, Brits are quick to get outside and lap up the rays. It's imperative to remember key sun safety, including drinking plenty of fluids and topping up sun screen. Here, experts reveal just how dangerous a hot weather can be, and how fast its effects could set in. Under 10 minutes: SUNBURN YOU might be fooled into thinking sunburn is only something that happens on holiday. Don't take the risk, as Most read in Health Dr Kathryn Basford, of online doctors service 'It can also present itself through the course of the day and take between 24 to 72 hours to develop.' Sunburn doesn't just cause sore and sometimes blistered skin, but affects your temperature regulation. Prof Mike Tipton, Human and Applied Physiology, University of Portsmouth, told The Sun: 'Sunburn reduces sweating, which is an indirect problem in terms of impairing your thermo regulatory capabilities.' How fast your skin reacts will depend on whether you are wearing With every episode of sunburn, you increase the chances of skin cancer, as well as faster ageing skin. 15 minutes: HEAT EXHAUSTION The symptoms include nausea, dizziness, muscle weakness, sweating, cool and clammy skin, irritability and confusion. A key sign is body temperature going above 41C - this can happen within 10 to 15 minutes of being in hot weather, according to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. Prof Tipton warned heat exhaustion is a particular risk for babies and small children. He said: 'By putting people into warm baths, we can get their core temperature up by a degree and a half in 15 or 20 minutes. So you can get hot very quickly. 'If you're a small individual in a hot environment, particularly an environment with direct exposure to the sun, you're looking at heat related problems in 15 to 20 minutes.' The 10 signs in the heat you should never ignore If you're spending prolonged periods of time in the heat - then it's important to stay protected. But, we are all human and sometimes we might forget to wear a hat or top up our suncream. There are some clear warning signs you should never ignore - seeking shade and medical help if appropriate. Feeling off or out of sorts Nausea Dizziness Muscle weakness Sweating Cool and clammy skin Irritability and confusion Headache Thirst Loss of appetite These could all be signs of heat stroke or heat exhaustion. For adults, Prof Tipton said a dangerous increase in core temperature depends on a number of factors. But in a hot and humid environment where someone is exercising, 'you'll be looking at getting your body temperature to a dangerous level in around 20 minutes,' he said. Dr Basford said: 'Depending on how hot it is or how long you are in the sun, heat exhaustion can develop within a few minutes or gradually over several hours or days. 'It's important to cool down as soon as you notice any of these signs as heat exhaustion can develop into heatstroke if your body has become too hot and starts to lose water or salt.' Minutes to hours: HEATSTROKE 3 If not treated quickly, it can turn into heatstroke, which can be life threatening Credit: Getty HEAT exhaustion is not usually serious if you can cool down within 30 minutes, the NHS says, by going to a cool place, lying down and raising the feet, drinking water and cooling the skin. But if someone does not feel any better after 30 minutes, you should call 999. This is a sign they have heatstroke, which is when the body is unable to control its temperature. The symptoms include hot and dry skin, difficulty walking, poor balance, confusion and disorientation and seizures (in severe cases). Dr Basford said: 'Similar to heat exhaustion, heatstroke can develop within minutes or gradually over the course of several hours or days. 'While less common, heatstroke can be very serious if not addressed quickly." 30 minutes: DEHYDRATION IT'S imperative to make sure you are getting enough fluids during the day, let alone during a heatwave. Dr Basford said: 'When you're out and about in the sun, it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to up to a few hours for the body to feel dehydrated. 'When exposed to the heat without properly hydrating your body, the water levels can fall low and you'll experience waves of fatigue, thirst, light-headedness and sometimes dizziness. 'Drinking water regularly can help you remain hydrated, as well as swerving those drinks that can dehydrate you further, like caffeine or alcohol.' Dehydration can exacerbate, and contribute to, any of the heat illnesses described above. Prof Tipton said: 'You need to sweat in order to maintain your body temperature, and that sweating is going to be impaired if you become dehydrated.' Up to two days: DEATH PROF Tipton said: 'Over the course of a heatwave, there'll be about 1,500 to 2,000 excess deaths, but very, very few of those deaths are caused by the direct effects of heating. 'The majority of people that die do so within the first couple of days of a heatwave. 'And the vast majority of those that die are over the age of 65 and their deaths are caused more by the stress that the heat puts on their cardiovascular system.' When the body's core temperature reaches dangerous levels, this adds additional strain to what might be an already compromised cardiovascular system, heart and heart and blood vessels. One of the other major causes of a heatwave related death is a blood clot, Prof Tipton said, as dehydration causes the blood to thicken. This can happen to those with pre existing conditions, or even those who are reasonably healthy but, due to their age, don't have blood vessels as healthy as they once were. How to stay safe in hot weather While many people enjoy warmer summer weather, hot weather can cause some people to become unwell through overheating (becoming uncomfortably hot), dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Remember the following tips if you want to stay safe: Keep out of the sun at the hottest time of the day, between 11am and 3pm If you are going to do a physical activity (for example exercise or walking the dog), plan to do these during times of the day when it is cooler such as the morning or evening Keep your home cool by closing windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun If you do go outside, cover up with suitable clothing such as an appropriate hat and sunglasses, seek shade and apply sunscreen Drink plenty of fluids and limit your alcohol intake Check on family, friends and neighbours who may be at higher risk of becoming unwell, and if you are at higher risk, ask them to do the same for you Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and what to do if you or someone else has them Heat exhaustion occurs when the body overheats and cannot cool down. Heat exhaustion does not usually need emergency medical attention if you cool down within 30 minutes. If you do not take action to cool down, heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke. Common symptoms of heat exhaustion include: Tiredness Weakness Feeling faint Headache Muscle cramps Feeling or being sick Heavy sweating Intense thirst Heatstroke is where the body is no longer able to cool down and the body temperature becomes dangerously high. Common symptoms of heatstroke include: Confusion Lack of co-ordination Fast heartbeat Fast breathing or shortness of breath Hot skin that is not sweating Seizures Heatstroke is a medical emergency. If you think someone has heatstroke you should dial 999 and then try to cool them down. Source:
The Independent
08-04-2025
- Health
- The Independent
What we know about new Mpox strain after first case caught in UK
Another case of the potentially serious mpox virus has been found in the north east of England, in what could be the first case of community transmission in the UK. Britain's health security agency (UKHSA) said on Tuesday it has discovered the first confirmed human case of Clade Ib mpox in the country where the infected person has no reported travel history. This suggests the person contracted the highly infectious virus from someone else in the UK. What is special about this latest mpox case? All previous cases in the UK have been found in people who have either travelled to an affected country or have a link to someone who has. The UKHSA said more work is ongoing to determine where the individual may have caught the infection - which was discovered last month. They said all contacts have been followed up and no further cases were identified. The government agency was keen to stress that the risk to the UK population remains low. What is mpox? Common symptoms of mpox include a skin rash or pus-filled lesions which can last 2 to 4 weeks. It can also cause fever, headaches, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes. 'Mpox is a disease caused by a virus known as monkeypox, which was first seen in the late 1950's in laboratory monkeys with a human case noted in 1970,' explains Dr Jon Roberts, professor of Health Protection at the University of the West of England. 'The virus is 'zoonotic' – meaning it can affect different animals, including humans, although cases in humans have been rare.' Mpox spreads through close physical contact with an infected person. 'It spreads through skin-to-skin contact with rashes or blisters, touching their clothing, bedding or towels, or when they cough or sneeze near you,' explains Dr Kathryn Basford at ASDA Online Doctor. 'It can also be transmitted by infected animals through bites but this is less common in the UK.' The virus commonly has two types or 'clades' which present with differing clinical severity if seen in humans. 'Clade I can be associated with more severe disease and in the UK is currently designated a high consequence infectious disease (HCID),' highlights Roberts. 'Clade II is no longer designated a HCID and was associated with a global outbreak of infection in 2022-2023, including cases in the UK.' The disease stopped being classified as a high consequence infectious disease (HCID) last month, after a review of criteria including mortality rate and available interventions. Further information about symptoms is available on the NHS website. What are scientists saying about the latest development? UKHSA Mpox Incident Director Dr Gillian Armstrong said: 'The risk to the UK population from mpox remains low. 'The majority of people who have presented with symptoms report close physical contact, including massages, or sex prior to developing symptoms. 'Regardless of whether you have travelled or not, it is important to remain alert to the risks. Anyone who thinks they may have mpox should contact NHS 111 for advice on what to do. 'While mpox infection is mild for many, it can be severe for some and UKHSA is committed to preventing its spread within the UK.' The history of mpox Mpox was first discovered in 1958 when outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in monkeys kept for research. The first human case was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and since then the infection has been reported in a number of African countries. Prior to 2022 most cases were reported from the DRC and Nigeria. In October, England confirmed its first case of clade Ib mpox, a different strain from the one circulating at low levels in the UK since 2022. A month before this, the government announced the purchase of additional mpox vaccine doses to strengthen the country's defences against the virus.
The Independent
31-01-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Another case of deadly mpox strain detected in UK
Another case of a deadly mpox variant has been reported in England. Britain's health security agency (UKHSA) said on Friday another case of the clade lb has been detected, the eight case confirmed in the country since October last year. The government agency said the risk to the population remained low. The clade lb variant is a new form of the virus that is linked to a global health emergency declared by the World Health Organization in August. The UKHSA said the new case - detected in London in a patient who had recently returned from Uganda which is seeing community transmission of the variant - had no links to the previous cases identified in England. 'In the context of the outbreak in parts of Africa, we expect to see the occasional imported case of clade Ib mpox in the UK,' the UKHSA added. What you need to know about mpox strain Clade 1b Clade Ib mpox has been circulating in several countries in Africa in recent months. Imported cases have been detected in a number of countries including Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Sweden and the United States. What are Mpox symptoms? 'If you get infected with mpox, it usually takes between five and 21 days for the first symptoms to appear,' says Dr Kathryn Basford at ASDA Online Doctor. 'Symptoms to look out for include a fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue, followed by a rash that typically starts on the face and spreads to other parts of the body. 'The rash progresses from flat lesions to raised bumps, then fluid-filled blisters, and finally, scabs that eventually fall off. 'The illness usually lasts two to four weeks and is generally mild, but in some cases, it can be severe.' People often mistake the rashes for chicken pox. 'It is very important to note these symptoms can also be associated with more common infections such as chickenpox so it is important to discuss with a healthcare professional and if required, be tested,' adds Roberts. Who is most at risk? 'Those most at risk are in close contact with someone with mpox, including household members, sexual partners, as well as healthcare workers, men who have sex with men, people with weakened immune systems, and individuals in regions where mpox is spreading,' says Basford. 'People who have recently travelled to, or who have been in close contact with someone who has recently travelled to, areas of central or east Africa where there are outbreaks of mpox, are at higher risk of catching mpox.'
