Perth can have very hot, dry days. Heat, sun exposure, work, exercise, a long commute and poor sleep can all make an ordinary day feel harder. The practical question is not whether one climate explains every symptom; it is how to reduce heat exposure, notice when you are becoming unwell and get medical help when it is needed.
Plan for the heat
Check the forecast, plan strenuous activity for a cooler time and know where you can take a shaded or air-conditioned break.
Notice early changes
Thirst, dry mouth, tiredness, headache, dizziness or cramps can be signs to stop, cool down and seek advice if they persist.
Act on danger signs
Confusion, fainting, a seizure, inability to drink or severe deterioration in the heat needs urgent help—not a routine appointment.
Hot weather affects people differently
Very hot weather can be difficult for anyone, but some people have a higher chance of becoming unwell: older adults, babies and children, pregnant people, people with long-term health conditions, people who take certain medicines, outdoor workers and people without a cool place to rest. This is why a heat plan needs to match the person, their work and their health needs.
Do not assume that tiredness, headache, breathlessness, palpitations, nausea or poor sleep are simply a “Perth climate pattern”. They can have many causes. If symptoms are new, recurrent, severe or affecting daily life, discuss them with a GP or another appropriate health professional.
Everyday ways to reduce heat exposure
- Check the forecast and move demanding outdoor tasks to a cooler part of the day where possible.
- Drink fluids regularly, unless a clinician has told you to limit fluids for a health condition.
- Use shade, light protective clothing, a broad-brimmed hat, sunglasses and sunscreen when outdoors.
- Take breaks in a cooler space, especially if you work, commute or exercise in the heat.
- Check in on people who may be isolated or more vulnerable during a heatwave.
These are general measures, not a substitute for individual medical advice. If you have a heart, lung, kidney or metabolic condition, or take regular medicines, ask your usual clinician what a safe hot-weather plan looks like for you.
Where complementary care may fit
Some people choose acupuncture or other complementary care as part of a broader wellbeing plan. It should be described honestly: it does not prevent heat illness, replace hydration and sun protection, diagnose the source of symptoms or replace care for an urgent problem. Tell your GP and other treating clinicians about complementary care you are considering, particularly if you have ongoing health conditions or take regular medicines.
A practical starting point: decide in advance where you can cool down, who you can contact and what changes would mean it is time to seek health advice. This can be more useful than trying to push through a hot day.
When heat needs urgent medical help
Call 000 for an ambulance if someone is confused, collapses, has a seizure, loses consciousness, cannot drink, has severe breathing difficulty or is very unwell and does not improve quickly after cooling and fluids. Move them to a cool, shaded place while you wait for help. Heatstroke is a life-threatening emergency.
For non-emergency advice, contact your GP or call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222. A registered nurse can help you decide on an appropriate next step.
Sun protection is part of the picture
Heat and ultraviolet radiation are related but not identical risks. A cooler or cloudy day can still have high UV. Cancer Australia recommends seeking shade, using sun-protective clothing, a broad-brimmed hat, wrap-around sunglasses and SPF30+ or higher sunscreen when protection is needed.
Sources: Healthdirect — Hot weather risks and staying cool; Healthdirect — Heatstroke; Cancer Australia — UV radiation.