Sizzling stress: The hazards of extreme heat

Orlando, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) - Sometimes it isn't all fun in the sun. Too much heat, like the extreme heat we've been feeling this summer, can impact your health. In fact, the National Weather Service says extreme heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths, killing more people in the U.S. than any other weather phenomenon in 2023.

Everyone has their limits to the heat and so does your health. According to the CDC about 1,220 people in the United States are killed by extreme heat each year.

Excessive heat can negatively affect mental health by increasing irritability and depression. A study published in the Lancet found that when temperatures soar high, emergency room visits for mental health issues increase by 8%.

Extreme heat can also harm your body. As it struggles to stay cool, it also stresses your heart and kidney. It can also worsen health risks from chronic conditions and cause acute kidney injury.

If you leave your car on an 80 degree day, the inside of a car can hit 109 degrees Fahrenheit in just 20 minutes. Forty minutes, 118, one hour, 123 degrees. Kids especially are at greater risk as their bodies heat up much faster than adults, putting them at risk of heatstroke.

So, if you're feeling the heat beware the risks and go indoors for your health.

Some medications can put you at increased risk of heat stroke, including some allergy medicines, antihistamines, blood pressure, and heart medications. Even diuretics, laxatives, and antidepressants can increase your risk of heat stroke.