{"id":36161,"date":"2021-07-12T09:30:18","date_gmt":"2021-07-12T13:30:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=36161"},"modified":"2023-08-05T09:36:55","modified_gmt":"2023-08-05T13:36:55","slug":"hot-weather-health-risks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/hot-weather-health-risks\/","title":{"rendered":"How the summer heat can affect your health\u2014and ways to stay safe"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summertime is here. It\u2019s the season for fun and relaxation, but there are hot weather health risks\u2014especially for those who live with chronic conditions. Many health problems can be aggravated by the heat and the potential dehydration that goes along with all that extra sweating. On top of that, you can still catch a summer cold or flu.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, how can you stay healthy and still have fun in the sun? You\u2019ll need awareness of potential issues\u2014and a little bit of preparation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What happens when your body overheats?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Your body stays cool in the summer heat by sweating. But, if you are too hot for an extended period of time, it can lead to problems such as dehydration and an inability to properly cool off.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Hot weather causes increased sweating and increased risk of dehydration if fluid loss is not adequately replaced,\u201d says <\/span>Julia Blank, MD<\/span><\/a>, a family medicine physician at Providence Saint John\u2019s Health Center in Santa Monica, California.<\/span><\/p>\n

When the heat entering your body is greater than the heat you can dissipate by sweating, that extreme heat can disrupt thermoregulation and raise your core body temperature. Then, you’re at risk for a heat-related illness such as heat rash, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke. The effects of heat on the body include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n