ALL of England faces scorching temperatures this week as health chiefs warn the heat could pose “serious” health risks for some.
This has prompted health chiefs to issue a yellow heat health alert, today extended to all areas and set to last a full week.
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The alert, issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Met Office, means older and vulnerable people in these areas are at greater risk and may need to use NHS services more.
This is because in the heat people are more likely to suffer dehydration, heat exhaustion, and potentially deadly heatstroke.
Hot weather can also worsen asthma symptoms for some people, including increased breathing difficulties, wheezing, and coughing.
A yellow alert is the lowest, behind amber and red, on the UKHSA’s system.
It warns of a possible rise in deaths among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions.
Younger age groups could also be affected.
There is also a higher risk for vulnerable individuals living alone or in care homes due to overheating indoors.
Last summer, around 1,311 people in England died from heat-related causes, according to official figures – up from 870 the year before.
After a few cooler days the mercury is set to soar to 30C across the UK later this week.
The hot weather is forecast from Thursday and set to continue into the weekend.
The Met Office said temperatures are expected to reach 27-29C widely across England and Wales on Thursday afternoon.
It said isolated spots in the West Country and London area could potentially see highs of 31C.
There is a “low probability” of reaching 32C, the forecasting body added.
The UKHSA issued yellow heat health alerts on Wednesday covering parts of central and southern England, valid until 10am on July 15.
Since then, it has extended the warning to cover all regions in England from 11am on Thursday.
Experts from the UKHSA are now urging Brits to stay cool and take care as the temperature climbs.
That means staying out of the sun between 11am and 3pm, the hottest part of the day, and keeping curtains or blinds shut in rooms that get a lot of sun, they said.
People are also being told to drink plenty of water, avoid booze, and wear loose, light clothes along with a hat and sunglasses when heading outside.
Health chiefs say you should plan exercise or dog walks for the cooler parts of the day, like early morning or evening.
And never, ever leave children or pets alone in a parked car, even for a few minutes.
The common medicines taken by millions that can be FATAL during hot weather
AS the UK basks in soaring temperatures this week, no doubt you’re reaching for the sun cream and popping the antihistamines to ward off the pollen explosion.
But sunburn and hay-fever aren’t the only health concerns you need to be mindful of during the summer months.
For millions of Brits, there is a darker side to the glorious weather as the heat can interfere with some common medications – in some cases, with life-threatening consequences.
This include:
Antidepressants
These drugs can be lifesaving for many – but they can also make the body more vulnerable to heat.
“They can stop the body from regulating temperature properly,” pharmacist Thorrun Govind tells Sun Health.
Blood pressure drugs
These drugs can make it harder for the body to handle heat because they affect fluid levels and heart rate.
“This makes it harder for the body to sweat and cool down,” explains Thorrun.
Diuretics, for example, make people need to pee more, leading to dehydration.
“Without enough fluid, your body can struggle to regulate its temperature, leaving you at greater risk of heat stress,” she adds.
ADHD meds
Medicines used to treat ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, can raise core body temperature.
This is particularly true for methylphenidate, which is one of the most commonly prescribed stimulant medications for ADHD.
“It can stop your body’s ability to cool itself,” says Thorrun.
This can make it more difficult to stay cool during hot weather, increasing the risk of overheating and heat stroke.
Antibiotics
Doxycycline is one of the UK’s most commonly prescribed antibiotics in the UK – typically dished out to treat skin conditions and infections such as acne.
However, it can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, increasing the risk of sunburn and skin reactions – even after short bursts in the sun.
Thorrun says: “This is more about sunlight than heat, but it can still be dangerous in intense sun.”
Frequent sunburn means you are more likely to get skin cancer – which kills six Brits every day.
