5 Dangers of High Indoor Temperatures That Might Affect Your Health
There’s no question that extreme heat during the summer months is uncomfortable. But did you know that it actually kills more Americans every year than any other type of weather? People who don’t have access to air conditioned indoor spaces face considerable health risks when it comes to heat.
This summer, stay safe by being aware of the signs of the following heat-related hazards. If your home isn’t cooled, you can start working now on strategies to keep yourself and your family comfortable.
1. Sleep disturbance
It makes sense that uncomfortably hot temperatures would interrupt sleep. In fact, the ideal temperature range for most people to enjoy restorative sleep is small, from about 60-68 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures higher or lower than that can significantly impact sleep quality.
The result of poor sleep is a marked decrease in the efficient operation of your body. Missing slumber also causes an increase in production of a hormone called ghrelin, which is linked to appetite. Therefore, consistently poor sleep is also associated with weight gain.
Some studies have also found a link between chronic lack of sleep and high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, anxiety, depression, lower quality of life, and even premature death.
2. Emotional distress
Again, it’s probably not a surprise that feeling physically uncomfortable can also affect our emotional wellbeing. Science backs up this assumption, with multiple studies proving that excess heat indoors can lead to feelings of depression, anxiety, anger, and hopelessness.
In fact, it’s possible to experience the condition called SAD – Seasonal Affective Disorder – during the summer months. Typically associated with lack of exposure to sunlight during winter months, you can also feel listless, lose your appetite, and become agitated when temps are too hot.
Heat induced mood disorders in any sort of social environment, whether it be at home or work, can sometimes lead to interpersonal disputes and even violence.
3. Respiratory disease
For people with pre-existing respiratory issues, such as COPD, high indoor heat can make breathing especially difficult. Though scientists are not exactly sure why, it seems to be connected with humidity and air quality. It could be that humid conditions are ripe for mold growth, or that smog in the environment lingers closer to the ground when it’s humid.
In any case, indoor heat has been shown to increase the number of distress calls made by people with breathing difficulties, and the rate of hospitalization and death among sufferers also goes up. Even without the need for medical care, the use of rescue inhalers increases, so it is important to make sure you have enough medicine on hand available to stay comfortable.
4. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke
A home that is too hot can lead to either heat exhaustion or heat stroke, especially if it’s humid. Normally, our bodies sweat and that sweat evaporates in order to cool us off. But when conditions are very humid, evaporation slows and we aren’t able to cool down.
Heat exhaustion occurs before heat stroke and is a warning sign. Symptoms include dizziness, nausea, weakness, and extreme thirst. In this stage, internal body temperature is usually still normal, and the skin may feel cold and clammy. A cool bath or period of rest in a cooler environment can help.
When heat exhaustion progresses to heat stroke, it’s important to call for help immediately. The first sign is often fainting, but you might also notice strange, incoherent speech or aggressive behavior. You can sponge the skin of a person who has heat stroke, but don’t give them fluids at this point. Wait for medical attention.
5. Pregnancy complications
And finally, pregnant women are at a greater risk for complications due to high indoor temperatures. They are more likely to experience heat exhaustion or heat stroke because their bodies are already hard at work; the effort to cool down may be just too much.
Dehydration is another risk for anyone during periods of high heat, but in pregnant women this may bring on Braxton-Hicks contractions. Any heat related issues can bring with them dizziness, as well, which may lead to a fall and injury to the baby.
In extreme cases, when a mother’s body overheats, the fetus can experience serious complications. This might include changes in the structure of the fetal heart and neural tube defects, leading to a condition called spina bifida.
It is absolutely miserable to be stuck in a home or office that’s too hot during the summer. A few strategies for cooling down include: wearing loose clothing, using a spray bottle of cool water to spritz hot skin, opening windows on two sides of the building to create a cross breeze, keeping curtains closed to block the sun, and heading down to the basement. It can also be worthwhile to invest in a window air conditioner to keep at least one room livable during the worst heat of the day. However you cope, stay cool to stay healthy!
