The summer heat Warnings were issued on the East Coast and the Midwest, taking the US by storm.
In addition to stressing the body, hot weather can also hurt the brain Mental health.
Dr. Jace Reed, director of emergency psychiatry at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, stressed in an interview with Fox News Digital that the brain is a major organ that is heavily affected by fever.
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Extreme fever can cause changes in mental health Irritability and anxietywith reduced memory, attention, and reaction time.
This could affect daily interactions socially and professionally, experts warned.
“It may be slow to complete a task or remember something someone told you,” he told Fox News Digital. “These are fevers It affects your brain And your mental abilities. ”
Symptoms like extreme confusion can mark the onset of a fever stroke that may require hospitalization, the psychiatrist warned.
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In another interview with Fox News Digital, Thea Gallagher, psychology doctor at Nyu Langone Health and director of the Wellness program, said that when your body overheats, you struggle to regulate your internal balance.
It could lead to this It disrupts my sleepfatigue and lower concentration, and cognitive impairment, slow reaction times, fighting decision-making.
Fever can also increase oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain, Gallagher added.
“Exposure to fever can cause an inflammatory response With the brain“In cases like heat stroke, inflammation is thought to contribute to symptoms such as confusion and delirium.”
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Experts say excessive heat can weaken the protective blood-brain barrier, making the brain more vulnerable to toxins and pathogens.
High temperature is also related Feeling disruption Violent behavior, especially during long heat waves.
Psychiatric emergency visit Anxiety, depression The use of substances has also increased significantly on the hottest days, Gallagher confirmed.
Below are some of the main psychiatric symptoms that can get worse in hot weather, experts warned.
Mood disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, or Even with dementia It is more vulnerable in hot climates.
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Some Psychiatric drugs Gallagher said that while it can make it difficult for the body to regulate temperatures and maintain hydration, fever can “enhance” symptoms such as agitating and delusions.
“People with cognitive impairment may not be aware of any signs of overheating,” she added.
“Some SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) can inhibit sweat production, the body’s main cooling mechanism, which increases the risk of overheating, dehydration and even heat stroke.”
“Paradoxically, SSRIs can cause excessive sweating in some individuals, a side effect called ‘SSRI sweat’,” she continued. “This may seem helpful in cooling, but if your liquid intake is not maintained, it can actually lead to dehydration.”
Experts have recommended the following practices to protect brain health Extreme heat.
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“There’s longer days and there’s more activity, but it can be tiring,” Gallagher pointed out. “Therefore, it’s good to prioritize sleep and rest…and [find] How to slow down as much as possible. ”
