You Can Die From Extreme Heat - Here Are the Warning Signs

As temperatures rise across Zambia, health experts warn that extreme heat is more than just uncomfortable weather.

Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion and potentially fatal heatstroke.

Children, older people, pregnant women and those with existing medical conditions are particularly vulnerable, although even healthy adults can become seriously ill when exposed to excessive heat.

When the body becomes too hot, it struggles to regulate its internal temperature through sweating. This can lead to headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, excessive thirst and rapid heartbeat.

In severe cases, body temperature can rise dangerously, causing confusion, seizures, organ damage and loss of consciousness. Heatstroke is a medical emergency that can become fatal without immediate treatment.

Extreme temperatures can also affect the heart, kidneys and brain. Sweating causes the body to lose water and essential salts, while dehydration forces the heart to work harder and can place additional strain on the kidneys.

People who work outdoors, including farmers, market traders, construction workers and street vendors, face greater risks, particularly when they have limited access to drinking water, shade and rest.

Hot nights can also disrupt sleep and prevent the body from recovering from daytime heat.

Health experts recommend drinking water regularly, avoiding strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest hours, wearing lightweight clothing and seeking shade or cooler indoor spaces whenever possible.

Parents should never leave children inside parked vehicles, even briefly. Anyone showing signs of heatstroke, especially confusion, collapse or seizures, needs emergency medical attention and immediate cooling while help is arranged.

As Zambia experiences periods of intense heat, recognising the warning signs early could save lives.