Effects of humidity on the human body can be extremely harmful to our health, causing our bodies to overheat. Working long hours in ovens and industrial factories can take a major toll on the body and at times, the heat can be extremely unbearable causing us to sweat more and drain our energy levels quickly.
How Our Bodies Regulate Heat
Our bodies naturally adapt when we’re in different temperatures. When in hot temperatures or start to engage in exercise it causes our bodies to get warmer, as a result, our bodies sweat to help us cool down. However, humid or hot temperatures it becomes difficult for the sweat to evaporate which makes it more difficult to cool down. This makes the body think that it’s not actually cooling down and therefore begins to work harder to make this happen. The effects of humidity on the human body works negatively as it means it works harder in order to cool down by increasing heart rate and circulating the blood faster around the body. The excessive sweating it results in causes dehydration, putting our health at risk.
Health Risks Caused By Humidity
Due to the effects humidity has on the human body, it can make us feel physically tired and have low energy. It can also be detrimental to health if the body is incapable of releasing heat as it can result in hyperthermia. Health risks of this include the following:
- Dizziness
- Muscle Cramp
- Dehydration
- Fatigue
- Heat Stroke
Heatstroke can be very risky to health. Common symptoms include headaches, vomiting and dizziness and if you or someone else goes through this it would be worth seeking medical attention.
How To Prevent High Humidity Levels
Whether at work or engaging in a leisurely activity, to prevent yourself from getting too hot and humid there are several steps that you can take to make sure your body doesn’t overheat. If you work in an office, make sure that you take regular breaks when you’re exposed to hot weather and keep consistently hydrated throughout the day by taking a reusable water bottle or using the water fountain. It would also be useful for employers to install air conditioning systems to control room temperatures. For those who work at large industrials sites or factories, employers should install industrial ventilation systems to prevent indoor air pollution and a safer working environment for factory workers. If you find that you take these measures and continue to feel hot or feel worse, it would be worth seeking medical attention or urgent emergency services.