Let’s start with the data. And let’s take those of Climate Central, which shows how in recent years in the world just under two and a half billion people They suffered nights of excessive heat at least two weeks more per year. The analysis of the organization based in Princeton is that of 2024. And also shows some more data by referring to our reality. Always according to last year’s report, Italy would even have two weeks more than nights above 18 degrees, Two more weeks above 20, and 3 additional nights above 25, with all the big cities involved. With some large cities particularly affected by the phenomenon.
But what can be the repercussions of these health conditions? Surely you sleep badly. But not only… ..
Because the increase in night temperatures worries
The growth of thermal values at night, in some ways, perhaps still appears more worrying than the daytime heat. In fact, there are research that shows how a direct influence on well -being and sleep linked to the great heat exists, which does not allow the reduction of body temperature and the set of physiological processes that follow. In addition to potential cognitive effects, on this front, there may be negative impacts on physical and mental health.
Not only that. The heat waves can also affect the respiratory diseases that are often underestimated, despite causing the worsening of respiratory symptoms overnight. Giovanna Elisiana Carpagnano, full professor and director of the Pneumology of the Polyclinic of Bari, on the occasion of the international meeting on respiratory diseases, co-organized by the Menarini Foundation, in collaboration with the University of Bari “Aldo Moro” and the University of Foggia.
In short: the repercussions of heat waves are particularly dangerous for the respiratory systemas the first target organ of climate change and environmental degradation.
“What is less known is, however, that night minimum temperatures are growing even more quickly than daytime and that the “tropical” nights, with minimums up to 25 degreeshave a serious impact on respiratory health, equal to that of daytime heat waves “
underlines the expert.
The research that makes you think
Scholars refer to a research that appeared on Environmental Health Perspectives, which took into consideration the data on the minimum and maximum daily temperatures recorded in Japan, with latitudes similar to those of our country, in a period of over 40 years, from 1973 to 2015. According to research, night heat waves, with minimums up to 25 ° C, would do in fact climb the mortality rate of respiratory diseases by 10%regardless of the daytime temperature. According to Carpagnano
“This is due to the fact that the night is, in itself, a critical element, because during rest, the caliber of the bronchi, even in healthy individuals, is reduced to 8%. This narrowing of the airways, linked to the circadian rhythm, is aggravated in those suffering from asthma with an extreme night -hot night which, causing an increase in the temperature inside the chest, activates the nerve fibers of the respiratory muscles, which does not. Relaxing do not allow normal lung emptying, making breathing difficult, with very serious asthmatic crises that can also be fatal “.
Who has to pay attention and what to do
The greatest protection from hot nights must be dedicated in particular to the most vulnerable subjects, especially if it is elderly people And asthmatic children. It is necessary to try to create, inside your home, especially in the bedroom, a fresh environment to reduce the impact of night heat waves and minimize possible inconvenience and health damage. In these conditions, in fact, if the temperatures do not descend at night, the more humidity temperature combination can prevent the body from recovering, so you wake up already “Downloads because the night you have sweated, you have slept little and bad and the forces for the new day are not recovered.
On the front of the day, something can be done refreshing the domestic environment and the workplaceremembering that air conditioning should preferably be used on days with climatic conditions at risk, regulating the temperature without exceeding with the “cold” climate, covering itself in the transition from a hot environment to a colder one. For the rest, the reduction of body temperature before going to bed can help, with bathrooms and showers With warm water and use of wet pieces for the face with fresh water.
