Why are women at greater health risk than men in severe heatwaves?

Bangla Press Desk: Heatwaves are becoming longer and more intense around the world due to climate change. However, health experts warn that this outbreak of extreme heat does not affect men and women equally. Women are much more vulnerable to extreme heat than men due to various biological, hormonal and social reasons.
According to medical experts, prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures causes severe stress on women's bodies. This significantly increases the risk of serious heat-related illnesses such as dizziness, excessive fatigue, anxiety, swelling of the hands and feet, insomnia, lack of concentration and heatstroke.
Dr. Nighat Arif, a women's health expert at the UK's National Health Service, describes extreme heat as a 'stress test' for the heart and blood vessel system. This is because the heart has to work much harder than usual to maintain normal body temperature in these extreme weather conditions.
Why are women more affected by heat?
According to experts, women generally sweat less than men and start sweating when their bodies reach a relatively high temperature. As a result, women's bodies cannot cool themselves naturally as quickly.
In addition, women have a relatively high body fat percentage and a slightly higher average internal body temperature. The excess fat acts as a cushion or insulation to retain body heat for a long time.
Hormonal fluctuations also complicate the body's temperature control process. During menstruation (period), pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause (permanent cessation of periods), changes in the hormones estrogen and progesterone in the body hinder the process of keeping a woman's body cool.
Doctors say that different stages of the menstrual cycle affect the body's normal functioning in intense heat. The body's normal temperature increases due to the increase in progesterone hormone levels before the start of the period. Again, during the period, estrogen levels decrease, which makes it difficult for the body to regulate heat.
Additionally, excessive blood loss during periods depletes iron from the body. This can lead to excessive fatigue, dizziness, sleep disturbances, and reduced ability to concentrate during hot days.Double risk during pregnancy and menopause
In women going through perimenopause or menopause, the problem of 'hot flashes' (sudden body and chest becoming hot) and excessive sweating at night is intensified. Pregnancy also greatly increases the risk of heat stroke or heat-related illness.
According to research published in the renowned medical journal 'The Lancet', during pregnancy, a woman's body's metabolism, blood volume and fluid demand increase, which puts additional strain on the heart. Prolonged exposure to excessive heat can cause complications for both the pregnant mother and the baby.
Social and lifestyle effects
Dr. Kate Penhau Gomes of the Institute for Global Health at University College London said that women are usually more involved in family and household service work. As a result, it becomes difficult for them to take care of their health during hot flashes.
Moreover, since the average life expectancy of women is higher than that of men, a section of older women are at greater risk of severe heat. Aging, dementia, or the use of certain medications can reduce the sensation of thirst, which can quickly lead to dehydration.
Warning signs of heat exhaustion
Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

Dizziness or lightheadedness
Severe physical weakness
Nausea or vomiting
Muscle cramps
Cold, clammy skin
Fainting
Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Symptoms include:
Body temperature above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit)
Body is very hot and dry (no sweating)
Mental confusion or incoherent behavior
Fainting or seizures
Doctors' advice for safety
Doctors have advised women to follow some simple rules to stay healthy in extreme heat:
1. Drink plenty of water or fluids throughout the day.

2. Avoid working outdoors in the hot midday sun.

3. Do physical exercise or walking early in the morning or after sunset.

4. Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing and use sunscreen when outdoors.

5. Take extra care to maintain fluid balance during periods, pregnancy, or menopause.
Experts have emphasized that women's special health needs should be prioritized in workplace and government policies to combat heatstroke. Because keeping women safe means keeping the entire family and society safe. Source: Samaa TV

BP/TD