SATURDAY, July 13, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- The human body is no match for extreme heat, and scorching temperatures seem to be the rule rather than the exception these days. "It's hard to think of an organ that is not affected by the heat," said , professor of internal medicine at UT Southwestern in Dallas. Extreme heat means temperatures above 90 degrees, along with high humidity -- a combo that can wreak havoc on the body's internal systems and even cause organs to fail.
"What keeps us cool is sweat evaporating from our skin," Crandall said in a UT Southwestern news release. "When the weather is too humid, sweat does not evaporate as effectively, so with the excess sweating, you're essentially just dehydrating yourself." Heat stress causes blood to rush to the skin to release body heat.
That forces the heart to pump harder, which can be especially hazardous for people with cardiovascular diseases. Kidney function may also be impaired, putting people with renal disease at risk. Breathing is harder, and hot, humid air can trigger asthma symptoms or make them worse.
The intestinal tract may also allow harmful toxins to enter the bloodstream. And overexertion in extreme heat may cause muscle strains, cramps and even a serious condition called rhabdomyolysis that can harm the kidneys and cause an irregular heart beat. It's important to understand when someone is struggling with the heat and to get help fast if it happens.
Last summer -- the hottest on record -- saw nearly 120,00.