Most of the states of the country including the capital Delhi-NCR are in the grip of severe heat waves these days. For the last few weeks, the temperature in the capital has remained between 42-48 degrees Celsius. On Wednesday, the heat broke all records. According to media reports, the maximum temperature in the Mungeshpur area of Delhi was recorded at 52.9 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. This is the highest temperature ever recorded in the national capital. Health experts consider this level of heat to be a serious problem. Researchers say that a temperature of more than 45 degrees is a serious problem for human health. It's going above 50 can also have fatal side effects.
Has the mercury crossed 50? Regarding this, Dr. M Mahapatra, Director General of India Meteorological Department (IMD), said, the Meteorological Department is checking the temperature sensor installed in the automatic weather station of Mungeshpur, so that it can be ascertained whether the sensor is working properly or not.
In many parts of Rajasthan, mercury is being reported at 50 degrees and above. From a health point of view, health experts say that this level of temperature has life-threatening side effects. Let us know what kind of side effects can a temperature of more than 50 degrees have on the body. Can the human body bear a temperature of more than 50?
Rising temperatures can be a serious problem
Many countries of the world, including India, have been facing a continuous increase in temperature for the last decade. In the United States, rising temperatures in the last few years have put public health at risk. Heat stroke and heat-related diseases have caused a dramatic increase in mortality in many cities. In India, due to this, cases of death are also increasing, including neurological and many types of chronic diseases.
Health experts say that spending some time in a temperature of more than 50 can also be harmful to health.
Why is the temperature increasing to this level?
Talking to Amar Ujala, Dr. Kriparam, Assistant Professor (Department of Environment) at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), says, rising temperature is a very serious issue, but unfortunately we do not understand its seriousness. Climate change should not be limited to rising temperatures only, it also has a serious impact on water bodies which are a factor in increasing greenhouse gases in the process after the temperature rises. The change in the level of albedo is also a cause of great concern. Albedo is a measure of solar radiation, based on which it is measured how much the sun's heat is reflected in the atmosphere after it reaches the earth.
Dr. Kriparam says, carbon emission prevention is a global issue. Cutting off trees, and increasing in concrete is increasing the temperature.
There can be serious health problems
To know what ill effects high temperature can have on health, researchers conducted a study on healthy volunteers aged 23 to 58 years. Each participant was exposed to five temperature conditions (between 28 degrees Celsius to 50 degrees Celsius) for one hour daily. The researchers found that participants who were exposed to temperatures above 40 degrees showed changes in blood pressure, sweating rate, heart rate, and breathing rate. At temperatures above 50 degrees, the heart rate increased by more than 64 percent.
Dr Prakhar Awasthi, Consultant and Internal Medicine at a Delhi-based hospital, says, rising temperatures are dangerous for everyone. It affects the health of children and the elderly the most.
Cases of stroke and heart attack may increase
Health experts say exposure to extreme heat has the greatest impact on heart rate and blood pressure. Higher than normal blood pressure can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke along with other heart-related problems. Research shows that at temperatures above 50, the number of deaths due to cardiovascular diseases (conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels) can be two to three times.
Dr Prakhar explains that the ill effects of high temperatures are not limited to heatstroke only. High temperatures and high humidity can increase heart rate. Such risks can affect the health of people of all ages.
(PC: ISTOCK)
