Heat And Humidity Conspire For Discomfort, Danger

WASHINGTON -- When it comes to the discomfort and health risks of the current heat wave, it's not just the heat or the humidity – it's both.

The temperature conspires with the amount of moisture in the air to make it hard for the human body to cool itself.

When people get hot, the body tries to cool down by moving extra blood to the skin and by sweating.

Blood in the tiny vessels near the skin can dissipate heat into the air, if the air is cooler than the body. But that doesn't work if the air is as hot as the body or hotter.

Sweat helps, because when water evaporates it removes heat. But the more moisture already in the air – the higher the humidity – the less evaporation can occur.

Those two processes account for more than 90 percent of the body's ability to dissipate heat, and when they aren't working, trouble can come from heat exhaustion, heat stroke and even death.

Heat exhaustion, or heat prostration as it's sometimes called, is a common condition caused by prolonged exposure to intense heat, and marked by symptoms like dizziness and weakness. It has no race or age boundaries and can strike anyone who's spent some time in the sun. Once noticed, it's easy to fully recover from this sunny ailment, but not unless you know the signs and treat immediately -- untreated, heat exhaustion can turn dangerous fast, leading to heat stroke and other serious weather-related illnesses.

If you're brave enough to stand the steamy summer heat wave of 2011, have fun, but remember to keep an eye out for excessive sweating, sunburn, panting and chills, and even nausea.

For tips on how to stay hydrated in the heat, check out our article, Summer Hydration Mysteries, Solved.

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Comments

[ecotopian]

01:23 AM on 07/25/2011

I've been through both. Yes, it's a dry heat, except when it's over a 100 degrees. Do this in a house with no a/c or any insulation. I have woken up to temperatures in the mid 70's in the early morning and high humidity. That was bad, too. This is why I live in western Oregon. We have really nice summers without these types of extremes.

[Dennis Engish]

06:05 AM on 07/24/2011

HUMIDITY! Thanks to Adding a DeHumidfier to my Place, My A/C can be set 5 degrees Higher and run alot less! The"D" is on a Timer to run 1 Hour every 4 hrs is all it takes to keep a 45% Humidity level in the House.

And The mositure ( water) it takes out goes into a 5 Gal container ( Hook up a Small hose) and it's The Best water for Both Drinking and To use on my Plants.!

And you can get them FREE! How? SImple.. MOst Stores have a 90 day Return Policy.. Jut Buy on thru Sears/Wal Mart or Whomever that has a 90 day Rtn Poilicy , use it for 89 days and Return it.. Cost? = FREE.

Can do the same for Window A/C's! Can't underdstand how can someone not have A/C in their Place if can get the Unit for FREE! A 8,000 BTU unit only needs to run an ave total of 8 hrs a day to keep a place at 75 degrees and only cost about $1 per day in Elec. Costs..

Thank you SEARS..

[mhsden]

05:08 AM on 07/24/2011

I lived in Galviston texas with no a/c and worked on a shrimp boat longest summer of my life yuck the people were great the only saveing grace lol

[joannevlavender]

02:52 AM on 07/24/2011

I lived in the Mojave for fifteen years. Surface temperatures on the lava beds on the eastern end of the Morongo Basin are about 135 degrees with little relative humidity. But the heat will quickly dehydrate you, as your perspiration evaporates very quickly and you don't notice that you need water. When my son was in Iraq, he told me they were forced to drink water regularly to remain hydrated for that very reason.

I have been back east where the temperature is 98 with 95% humidity--and it's hard to breathe.

Either way, it's bloody uncomfortable.

[John Howell]

12:08 AM on 07/24/2011

Neither heat nor humidity are much of a problem. Go inside, slam the door, and crank the AC.

[caugrl]

04:32 AM on 07/24/2011

Unless you have a blackout caused by everyone turning on their air conditioners.

[olbob757]

11:52 PM on 07/23/2011

Yes.

[staynsouth]

11:10 PM on 07/23/2011

I have to work in heat and humidity every day.....I live in Florida and I just try to stay as hydrated as I can and when I take a break, try to find some shade......A wet towel around the neck does wonders

[hattie54]

10:47 PM on 07/23/2011

As we say in the south,its not the heat,its the humidity!!!!

[Joni Carell]

10:28 PM on 07/23/2011

I love sun, mild temperatures and LOW humidity. California is great. Atlanta would suck.

[Leon Engelun]

10:24 PM on 07/23/2011

if you add the temp and the humidity and the answer is over 135 it is uncomfortable. ( e.g. 80 temp + 60% humidity =140 Not comfortable )

[aserenitystorm]

01:40 AM on 07/24/2011

Actually, 80 temp.+60% humidity= 128 degrees, when doing the math as 80+60%. But living in Southern Ohio, I know we've had temps in the low 90s with humidity in the high 60s- mid 70s and the heat index has been as high as 115... Which according to your math, doesn't add up right... So I'm a bit confused

[Leon Engelun]

08:24 AM on 07/24/2011

lol actually I use the human stress level ( me persoally) and forget about the heat index thingy. All I know from my own personal feelings is when I add them together and the total is more than 135 I feel uncomfortable. But thanks for sort of explaining it to me. I suffered that past two weeks here in Northern Minnesota with temps at 97 and humidity at 69%. I have no a/c.

[ontariogirl]

02:37 PM on 07/22/2011

Someone cooked a roast in their car here yesterday. The meat temp reached 135 degrees.
I like dry heat but such is not the case right now. Snow will be here before you know it so enjoy.

[IrieMoon]

12:46 PM on 07/22/2011

I'll take a dry 100 degrees over humid 85 degrees anyday of the week.

[VolatorVentum]

12:16 PM on 07/22/2011

Think to yourself this - would you prefer hot and dry, or cool and humid?

In my opinion humidity, when not couple with heat, is very relaxing.

[babybelle]

10:30 AM on 07/22/2011

I get my daily 45 minute walk in as soon as it is light outside.
I wear a neck ice wrap on my shoulders. I boguht it on Amazon.
They sell a variety of ice wraps.

[rdk70816]

10:10 AM on 07/22/2011

Just hold on and stay in the air conditioning. This weather is the result of the last burst of sun spots. They will be diminishing and by 2020 we will have a mini ice age. Hang in there.

[mehensley]

05:21 AM on 07/24/2011

How will the EMP Bursts on Dec 21 2012 impact the future Ice Age of 2020. Will this be a small or Large Ice Event??? :):)