During the summer, temperatures rise to levels that can harm human health and, in some cases, cause serious illnesses. The British newspaper The Guardian reported on the problems that can arise from exposure to intense sunlight, which can sometimes lead to cancer, strokes, and heart attacks.
**Skin**
Intense rays can cause sunburns, which occur due to excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays. The more the body is exposed to sunburn, the greater the likelihood of developing skin cancer.
**Brain**
Extreme heat can affect brain functions, including cognitive functions and judgment, increasing the risk of workplace injuries and impacting overall mental health. A study in New York recorded increased hospital admissions for drug use, mood disorders, anxiety, and schizophrenia attributed to rising temperatures.
**Sweating**
Perspiration is a method for cooling the body in high heat situations, with an active person potentially sweating up to 10 liters of water daily. If this fluid is not replenished, it can lead to dehydration, meaning the body can no longer cool itself through sweating. If the body becomes too hot, blood flow to the skin and sweating may stop. In this case, body temperature rises, resulting in irreparable brain cell damage.
**Lungs**
Hot weather can impact air quality, making breathing more difficult. High temperatures are usually accompanied by stagnant air, allowing pollutants to linger in the atmosphere. Harmful ozone forms as a result of the interaction of pollutants from vehicles, power plants, and industrial sources with sunlight, reducing lung function and being a key factor in asthma rates and mortality.
**Exhaustion**
If body temperature rises to around 38 degrees Celsius, the brain sends signals to slow muscle activity, leading to feelings of fatigue or heat exhaustion. Symptoms include dizziness, visual disturbances, intense thirst, nausea, and palpitations. If body temperature does not decrease, heat stroke may occur, a medical emergency characterized by dry, hot skin and mental confusion. If left untreated, it can lead to coma and death.
**Heart**
As body temperature rises, blood vessels dilate and blood pressure drops, causing feelings of dizziness and fatigue. In severe cases, when the body is deprived of normal blood flow, blood vessels can become damaged, leading to blood clots. If blood pressure drops significantly, the risk of heart attacks increases.
