Your shirt is soaked through but you’re still overheating. You’ve been drinking water all day but feel lightheaded and nauseous. Welcome to another Brisbane weekend, or so it seems lately.
During heatwaves, all-cause mortality in Queensland increases by 5%. That means heat is something we need to respect, not just accept as a natural part of living in the Sunshine State.
The increased deaths represent the cumulative toll on people managing heart disease, diabetes and kidney problems. Fewer are associated with the dramatic collapses which occasionally occur in the street. Heat illness hospitalisations are just the visible edge of a much larger health burden.
So why is our extreme sun such a challenge beyond sunburn and thirst?
When you are hot, sweat cools you by evaporating off your skin. When humidity is high, that evaporation slows dramatically — you’re drenched, but you’re not cooling down. When humidity gets above 80% your body keeps producing sweat, but without evaporation, there’s no cooling effect.
When your body can’t keep up
Heat exhaustion is your body struggling to cope. You’ll see:
- Heavy sweating
- Pale skin
- Weakness, dizziness, nausea
- Headache
If those signals are ignored, heat exhaustion can progress to heatstroke. It is important that you immediately access medical care for the affected person and try to cool them down whilst you wait for an ambulance.
How do you know when to call 000?
Heatstroke is accompanied by:
- Confusion, slurred speech
- Poor coordination
- Seizures or loss of consciousness
Heat exhaustion means your body is struggling but still trying to cool itself. Heatstroke means your temperature regulation has failed. Don’t wait to see if confusion or slurred speech resolves on its own. Get help.
What actually helps prevent heat exhaustion?
Air conditioning works, but not everyone has it. Fans and closing curtains to stop the sun heating up a room are all low cost ways to keep cool. Sometimes, being outside in the shade and in a breezy area can be cooler than being in the house – check out the temperature mid-afternoon and see if it is time to get outside in a protected space.
On days predicted to be hot and humid forget intensive gardening, cooking a roast meal or anything likely to involve extra exertion and additional heat. Instead, plan to get to a library or shopping centre to escape for a few hours. Movies are a great option for allowing your body to cool down, especially if you can put your feet up and drain any accumulated fluid whilst enjoying the flick! Phone a friend and organise to catch up if their house or favourite café is airconditioned.
At home:
- Take regular Cool (not ice-cold) showers or baths
- Wear loose and cool clothing
- Take your hat off inside. About 10% of heat is lost through our heads
- Put wet towels on your neck and wrists
- Close windows and block sun when it’s hotter outside than inside; open them later when the temperature drops
- Drink 2–3 litres of water daily – in addition to any tea, coffee, juice or soft drink
If you’re on fluid restrictions for heart or kidney disease, check with your GP about whether you need extra fluid during heatwaves. That’s a conversation to have before summer hits, not when you’re already feeling awful. Most General Practices will be able to put you through to the Practice Nurse if you need an answer before your next visit to a doctor.
Some medications affect how your body copes with heat. Diuretics reduce fluid available for sweating. Some blood pressure medications and antipsychotics interfere with temperature regulation. If you take regular medications, ask your pharmacist whether they increase heat sensitivity. You can then discuss a plan for managing heat with your care team. Pharmacists are paid to provide medication advice so if you get your medication dispensed from a regular chemist, reach out to them for support too.
If you work outdoors:
Work-rest intervals and access to cool spaces and drinking water aren’t optional in a Brisbane summer. Many worksites close when the temperature gets over 38 degrees. This is a pragmatic precaution. If you know it will be hot, consider starting work earlier to avoid more of the midday heat. Always wear a hat and clothing which is breathable. Take a drive to a shopping centre to grab lunch and some air conditioning before doing your next stint. Consider embracing the Mediterranean habit of having a siesta in the heat of the day and breaking work into two sessions; early and late.
If you feel heat exhaustion approaching:
- Get somewhere cool
- Drink water and keep drinking regularly
- Use cool water on your skin
- Monitor the volume of your urine and any swelling in your hands and feet
- If you’re not improving within an hour or symptoms worsen, seek medical help
If you have family or friends likely to suffer:
- Ring and discuss their plans for the hot days ahead
- Connect during the day to see they are OK
- Remind them to drink and eat foods low in salt and sugar – salads are great!
- Invite them out for lunch, a drive or to a movie
- Volunteer to help if they insist on cleaning, gardening or other heavy work
We are all likely to experience more heat waves as time goes on. Consider planting trees on the western boundaries to provide shade. Invest in window shades, shade sails or patios to keep direct heat away from windows and walls. Make sure you always have cold water in the fridge.
Keep smiling. Summer will be over soon.
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Further Reading
Queensland Health: Heat-related illness — comprehensive guide to recognizing and managing heat illness, including who’s most at risk.
Healthdirect: Hot weather risks and staying cool — practical strategies for keeping cool and safe during hot weather.
WorkSafe Queensland: Heat stress — guidance for outdoor workers and employers on managing heat risks at work.
