The Horrible Things That Happen to Your Body in Extreme Heat

Just like an ice-cream machine that requires a specific temperature for that perfect cold cream, your body must also remain at a specific internal temperature, i.e. 37^oC, in order to function optimally; wherein slight fluctuations in this temperature can disrupt the body’s machinations. While heat exhaustion and stroke are obvious repercussions of high internal temperatures, prolonged extreme heat exposure can have adverse effects on the body in many other ways. Consult your doctor if you have any of the horrible effects of extreme heat:

1- Muscle Cramps

At times, plain water is just not enough to replace the bodily fluids lost due to prolonged physical exertion in the sweltering heat. Since body salts are also excreted within sweat, this causes an internal deficiency of salts and electrolytes, resulting in those painful muscle cramps that you just can’t explain.

2- Heat Rash

Excess heat-induced sweating can block the sweat glands and pores, causing skin irritation and prickly rashes of tiny red spots known as a ‘heat rash’ or ‘miliaria’ (aka ‘prickly heat’). These bumps commonly develop on the face, neck, back, chest and thighs, with less common places being the stomach, armpits, hands, feet, and groin.

3- Heat Edema

This is a direct result of the body’s efforts to avoid overheating. When someone who is unaccustomed to high temperatures is exposed to extreme heat, the body dilates the blood vessels in order to expel as much heat as possible, resulting in blood accumulation in the ankles and leading to swollen legs, feet, and/or hands.

4- Confusion and Dizziness

We already know that the blood vessels dilate to avoid overheating. However, this dilation combined with fluid loss via sweating can cause difficulty in thinking and performing mental tasks, along with increased irritability due to reduced blood flow to the brain. Moreover, prolonged periods of decreased brain blood flow can also lead to ‘heat syncope’, a condition in which dizziness is followed by a temporary loss of consciousness due to extreme heat exposure.

5- Heat Exhaustion

Regular loss of body fluids and salts and prolonged heat exposure diminishes the body’s heat-reducing functions, causing an overall ‘lag’ that results in increased sweating, thirst, dizziness, fatigue, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, possible diarrhea, palpitations (irregular heartbeat), and numbness or tingling in the hands and feet. Known as ‘Heat Exhaustion’, this condition requires urgent medical attention as it can rapidly escalate to a heat stroke.

6- Heat Stroke

One of the most horrible effects of extreme heat is a heat stroke. This serious condition occurs when excess sweating results in sweat gland blockage, causing the body’s temperature to rise up to or above 40^oC. A heat stroke may attack suddenly or follow an episode of heat syncope or exhaustion, with common signs being seizures, hot, dry skin, confusion, profuse sweating and high body temperature. If not treated immediately, it can permanently damage the heart, brain, and kidneys.

7- Heart, Brain and Kidney Damage

A heat stroke increases the risk of cardiac failure due to reduced blood pressure and regular heart palpitations, while also leading to blood clot formation that may prevent circulation or cut off blood supply to certain body parts entirely. Moreover, neural (brain) swelling may lead to constant headaches, and even seizures in extreme cases. Other by-products of stroke-induced brain damage include confusion, delirium, hallucinations, agitation, and unconsciousness. Finally, a heat stroke may also lead to complete kidney failure.

Remember to stay adequately hydrated and take proper precautions to protect yourself from the horrible effects of extreme heat. If you observe symptoms pertaining to any of the above conditions, particularly heat exhaustion, syncope, or a stroke, consult with your doctor immediately. You can also book an appointment with a top General Physician in Rawalpindi, Karachi and Islamabad through oladoc.com, or call our helpline at 042-3890-0939 for assistance to find the RIGHT Doctor for your health-related concerns.