Extreme Heat Can Kill You! Christchurch-NZ Woman with Multiple Sclerosis Dies of Overheating
Christchurch-New Zealand: A Christchurch woman with multiple sclerosis has died after overheating in Wednesday’s scorching temperatures. The city hit 32 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. The woman was aged in her early 60s and died from hyperthermia, Chief Coroner Judge Deborah Marshall said in a statement. Extreme temperatures have been blamed for a woman’s death in Christchurch. Judge Marshall said people with multiple sclerosis struggled to control their bodies’ temperatures in hot weather. She advised people with illnesses that made them susceptible to overheating to keep an eye on their symptoms during the hot weather.
“Following this death, I feel it is important to remind people of the dangers of overheating due to the high temperatures expected in the coming days and to take all necessary precautions.” had said the judge. Temperatures in Christchurch were forecast to reach 32C again on Tuesday after a string of roasting days across the country. Media reported the North Canterbury town of Waiau reached 37C on Thursday, the warmest temperature recorded in New Zealand in seven years. Hanmer Forest reached 36.2C. Interior parts of Otago and Canterbury were expected to be particularly hot next week, with warm air coming from Australia pushing temperatures up.
Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous system that can affect movement, sensation and body functions. Even a small change in the temperature could cause a “build up of fatigue, blurred vision, loss of balance or worsening of cognitive symptoms such as concentration or memory. Having regular cold drinks, putting bags of frozen vegetables wrapped in a tea towel around the neck, sucking on an ice cube and eating frozen snacks could help alleviate some of the symptoms, the website said. Other cooling techniques included using hand or electric fans, spraying the face and wrists with a plant mister, sipping iced water while eating, and taking baths and showers in tepid water.
Older people, children and those with underlying medical conditions were most at risk of heat stress including cramps, exhaustion, heat rash, or heat stroke. It’s especially important to stay out of the sun, avoid extreme physical exertion and ensure that babies, children, and elderly people and pets are not left alone in stationary cars. Extreme heat could affect blood pressure and hydration, Humphrey said. He urged people to seek medical help if they felt dizzy, weak or had intense thirst or a headache. Good hydration is key, try to consume at least two litres of water a day and avoid drinking alcohol in the hot weather as it speeds up dehydration. Often with warmer temperatures, people get really tired and fatigued quite easily, so if you’re driving make sure you take rest breaks and take care of yourself.
– Stuff
Note: One of the ardent reader of Mangalorean.com Wilfred D’Souza, residing in New Zealand had sent the above story and has mentioned, “It’s summer now in NZ. Heat is extreme. 11-15 degrees is considered hot here and even Asians & Africans can’t bear the heat. Now the temperature is 28 – 30 degrees. Just imagine our plight here”. And with rising temperatures in Mangaluru it is advisable to take extra caution, especially by seniors and those with certain illness to be very cautious during the scorching temperatures in Summer season.
