Extreme heat drives up emergency room visits and exacerbates unexpected illnesses, according to a study
A study based on nearly 917,000 medical visits found increases in kidney problems, skin conditions, multiple sclerosis, mental health disorders and injuries during the hottest days.
A doctor uses a digital device at the hospital (File photo)
High temperatures not only increase the risk of dehydration or heatstroke. They are also linked to a rise in numerous illnesses, injuries and health problems that are not typically considered a direct consequence of a heat wave.
This is the conclusion of a study published in the scientific journal Science Advances, whose findings were reported by Northwestern University and reported by The Associated Press.
The researchers analyzed 916,904 emergency and urgent care visits involving 372,140 adults treated in five healthcare systems in Chicago between May and September from 2011 to 2023. In total, they studied 1,803 diagnoses to determine which ones occurred most frequently when temperatures reached or exceeded 92.66 °F.
Heat was linked to 33 diagnoses
The analysis identified 33 diagnoses associated with extreme heat. These include acute kidney failure, fluid loss, hypotension, edema, rashes and other skin problems, multiple sclerosis, varicose veins and various injuries.
There were also increases in mental and behavioral disorders, insect bites, traffic accidents, assaults and firearm-related injuries.
Some conditions doubled or tripled during days of intense heat. In the case of accidental gunshot wounds, the incidence was more than 30 times higher than that observed on days with temperatures below the analyzed threshold, although these events are rare.
Dr. Abel Kho, one of the study's authors and a professor of internal medicine at Northwestern, explained to the AP that high temperatures increase the likelihood of external injuries and complications linked to kidney disorders or the effects of certain substances, including cannabinoids.
Experts suggest that the physiological stress caused by heat can intensify the effects of certain medications and drugs. Furthermore, previous research has linked high temperatures to increased aggression, irritability and loss of concentration, factors that could contribute to an increase in accidents and violent incidents.
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The risks of heat may be underestimated
Medical records typically reflect only the condition being treated, for example, kidney failure or dehydration, without indicating that high temperatures may have contributed to triggering it. For this reason, the authors believe that the true health burden of extreme heat may be underestimated.
However, the study found a statistical association, not a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Furthermore, it focused exclusively on adults treated in Chicago, so its results cannot be automatically generalized to all cities or populations. The authors assert, however, that the method can be applied elsewhere and also used to study ambulance or death records.
The study issues a clear warning: people with kidney disease, multiple sclerosis, venous disorders, or other chronic conditions should not wait until they develop symptoms of heatstroke to take precautions. Days of extreme heat can exacerbate preexisting problems and increase pressure on emergency rooms long before heatstroke sets in.
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