There is severe heat in North India. The temperature has crossed 50 degrees in many areas of Delhi NCR. The situation is such that the sun starts spewing fire in the morning itself. People are suffering badly due to the heat. The number of patients suffering from heat in hospitals is increasing. The number of people suffering from mental problems due to heatwave is also increasing. You must be aware of heat stress, heat exhaustion and the danger of heat stroke, but extreme heat is also deteriorating mental health. Due to scorching temperatures, the number of people suffering from schizophrenia is increasing in hospitals. This is a condition when our brain is unable to send signals to the body. Due to this, the body is unable to react according to any adverse weather. This condition can also prove to be fatal.
The mind loses control due to heat
The Conversation, held at the University of Waterloo in Canada, mentioned how increasing heat is triggering mental illnesses. In which people with schizophrenia are more likely to be hospitalised and even die in extreme conditions. The Conversation said that people from lower socioeconomic groups, racialised people and homeless people are at greater risk of exposure to hot conditions.
What is schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a mental illness that disrupts the way information is transmitted to the brain. The part of the brain that is most affected also has our thermoregulatory functions. This is the part that tells us that we are too hot and we start sweating or that we are too cold and we must shiver to stay warm.
Why is schizophrenia dangerous?
People with schizophrenia are not able to react to extreme heat like normal people. Their bodies do not tell them to take precautions. In addition, the medications used to treat schizophrenia also raise the core body temperature. This means that while taking the medication, people with schizophrenia are at a greater risk of heat stress and stroke than normal people.
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Rohit Malhotra is a medical expert and health journalist who offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being. His articles aim to help readers lead healthier lives.
