Elevated nighttime temperatures are more dangerous to health than daytime

According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), there are six times more heatwaves in the northern hemisphere than in the 1980s. Experts warn that in some regions Nighttime temperatures can stay in the 40s, which poses a risk to human health.. John Nairn, WMO Extreme Heat Specialist, noted that nighttime temperatures are especially dangerous because the body cannot recover from constant heat, which increases the risk of heart attacks and death.

(You may be interested in: Covid-19: healthcare workers will be more likely to get sick).

The WMO has officially confirmed a new continental temperature record for Europe, reaching 48.8 degrees Celsius in Sicily, Italy on August 1, 2022. The researchers point out that Heat is one of the deadliest climate threats, with 60,000 deaths in Europe last summer alone.. However, there is an opinion that this figure could be even higher.

Nairn noted that these figures were recorded in a region with an advanced climate early warning system, raising concerns about the impact on other parts of the world. Scientists also predict that the El Niño event will increase the frequency and intensity of extreme heat episodes. Except, Heatwaves are expected to come earlier and earlier, even in the Northern Hemisphere spring.

(You may be interested in: Dengue in Colombia: “I don’t think this peak will lead to a health collapse.”)

Seven southern European countries have already issued extreme heat warnings for the next few days, and temperatures are expected to remain high in August. According to the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC), heatwaves caused an increase in deaths last year, mainly in Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal. The most severe effects have been seen in people with pre-existing medical conditions, as extreme heat can worsen cardiovascular and respiratory conditions.

Given this scenario, experts warn that temperatures will continue to rise and that action must be taken to combat the effects of climate change.

More news at EL TIEMPO

Black women are 1.6 times more likely to die during childbirth in Colombia

Learn about some false beauty product myths

Spanish study breaks new ground in epilepsy treatment

*This content has been rewritten using artificial intelligence based on information from the EFE agency and verified by a journalist and editor.