Sweat-Soaked Nights: Greek Summer Heatwave Poses Serious Health Threats
Overnight temperatures surpassing 30 degrees pose potential health risks, physicians advise.
People across Greece are sweltering under the scorching summer heat, with temperatures reaching an alarming 42 degrees in some areas, according to the meteorological office. The onset of this heatwave wasn't kind even to the early risers, with local temperatures reaching 36 degrees in the wee hours of Friday morning.
The drought situation has made matters worse, as many parts of the country face a high fire risk. Thankfully, the tourist islands of the southern Aegean and Crete are mostly spared, mostly due to the refreshing sea breeze.
Despite the oppressive heat, the Acropolis in Athens still attracted long lines of tourists in the morning. An Australian visitor expressed their determination: "We've got a hat, plenty of water, and we're ready to climb," they said on Greek television.
The city of Athens and other parts of Greece are experiencing nighttime temperatures that do not drop below 30 degrees. This is expertly warned by doctors, as it poses a significant threat to our health. Sleep patterns are disrupted, sweating becomes excessive, and the body's ability to recover is hampered.
The Greek media repeatedly advises the elderly and the sick to seek refuge in shaded and air-conditioned spaces. Alcohol should be avoided, and they urge everyone to drink plenty of water.
These intense summer nights, which exceed the body's ability to cool down, are part of what meteorologists referred to as "tropical nights." These occur when nighttime temperatures don't dip below 25°C, and many places experience minimums above 30°C.
This phenomenon puts a significant strain on the cardiovascular system and other bodily functions. It increases the risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, making vulnerable populations, such as children, older adults, and those with specific health conditions, more susceptible.
Moreover, in urban centers like Athens, the "urban heat island effect" contributes to elevated nighttime temperatures. This occurs due to dense construction materials that trap heat and reduced green spaces that inhibit natural cooling, further aggravating health risks during warm nights.
This heatwave showcases the urgent need for public health measures to minimize risk and safeguard citizens' health during such extreme heat events. This highlights the need to implement measures that account for the urban heat island effect, especially in densely populated areas.
- The community policy should prioritize addressing thehealth threats posed by tropical nights, as excessive sweating, disrupted sleep patterns, and elevated body temperatures can hamper the body's recovery and increase the risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
- In light of the science suggesting that urban heat islands exacerbate health risks during heatwaves, it is essential to implement comprehensive health policies that account for this effect, focusing on boosting green spaces and using energy-efficient building materials in densely populated areas.
- In the interest of maintaining mental health and overall health-and-wellness, resources should be allocated towards developing various therapies-and-treatments to aid in the management of heat-related health issues, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and those with specific health conditions.
