Health Warning: Dangers Of Going Between Extreme Heat and Air Coditioning Confirmed
(KMDL-FM) All of Louisiana is under some kind of temperature warning or advisory today. It doesn't matter whether it's a Heat Advisory or an Extreme Heat Warning; the consequences of both are the same.
Most of us have a basic understanding of how to relate to the extreme heat of a South Louisiana summer. It gets hot here often, and most of us are used to dealing with the heat in some way.
However, there is growing concern that the constant shift from extreme heat outside to rather cool or downright cold inside could be creating health issues that you weren't aware of.
Is Going Back and Forth Between Air-Conditioning and Outside Dangerous?
The act of moving from a cold, air-conditioned car to an extremely hot parking lot to an air-conditioned building affects you in ways you probably didn't even imagine. The rapid changes in temperature have dynamic effects on your cardiovascular system and on your respiratory system too.
According to peer-reviewed medical sites, rapid shifts from hot to cold force your blood vessels to change size fast. This spikes stress on the heart. The transition from extreme heat to air-conditioned cold could be an issue for those who suffer from heart disease or have cardiovascular issues.
Your body can also experience thermal shock. This is when the internal thermostat inside your body just can't come to grips with the rapid temperature change. This condition leads to dizziness, fatigue, sudden and profuse sweating, and chills. Sometimes the symptoms can cause an individual to faint.
Yes, You Can Get Hypothermia During the Summer - Here's How
The third issue that you should be aware of when traversing from extreme heat to air-conditioned cold is dehydration. The colder air masks your need for hydration. So, you might not be inclined to grab that bottle of water because you suddenly feel cooler and more comfortable. Science says drink it anyway; you're going to need it when you go back outside.
Other issues that can manifest between the heat of summer and the cold of the air-conditioner include airway irritation. The chilled, drier air inside a building might dry out your throat and nose, causing throat irritation and coughing.
This stress on your respiratory system and the dried-out condition of your nasal passages could make you more susceptible to colds, flu, or other infections. That's why summer bronchitis is such a big deal around Louisiana, and we are aware that no one has time for that.
READ MORE: These Are Louisiana's Hottest Parishes
The other concern that's not mentioned that much at all is hypothermia. If you come into an air-conditioned building and you're wearing sweat-soaked clothes, it only takes a matter of moments for chills and shivering to begin. The rapid drop in body temperature caused by sweat and temperature change could lead to severe muscle cramps, uncontrolled chills, and loss of consciousness.
READ MORE: Help Your A/C Keep You Cool for Less Money - Here's How
Make sure you consider this a potential problem even if you're just popping into the store for a Gatorade after cutting the grass, or you just happened to walk across the hot parking lot; you can get cold and get into trouble pretty quickly if you're not prepared.
15 Things You Should Never Leave in Your Car During a Heatwave
Gallery Credit: Kat Mykals