Stepping out from air conditioning to outdoor heat? This is what can happen to you

Air conditioners are our only way to take respite from scorching and unexpectedly high temperatures. From homes to offices, air conditioners are widely used during the summer season.

However, irrespective of the fact that it is one of the most effective ways to keep away the heat wave, it comes with a disadvantage, which people have started realizing off late.

Have you ever experienced that weird sensation on your skin when you immediately step outside from an AC room? Well, this is not healthy for your body. Let’s understand this from an expert.

Dr. Vipul Gupta, Chief of Neurointervention and Co-Chief of Stroke Unit, Artemis Hospital, Gurugram explains:


The abrupt change in temperature that occurs when you step outside from the cool comfort of air conditioning can have a significant impact on your health. The body has a heat shock when it moves from a regulated, cool environment to this extreme heat. Numerous physiological reactions may be triggered by this abrupt alteration.

Your cardiovascular system is impacted first. The heat causes blood vessels that were constricted in the cool environment to expand quickly, which results in a sharp reduction in blood pressure. This may cause lightheadedness or syncope, particularly in people with underlying heart disease.

Abrupt exposure to high temperatures may worsen respiratory ailments like bronchitis or asthma. Dehydration can also result from the heat when the body tries to cool itself by sweating more. Headaches, exhaustion, and cramping in the muscles can be caused by this deficiency of fluids and electrolytes.

The inability of the body to control its temperature causes heatstroke, a serious illness that manifests as symptoms like disorientation, an accelerated heartbeat, and even unconsciousness.

Abruptly moving from a cool indoor space to a warm outdoor one can result in heat stroke. When the body's ability to regulate temperature fails, leading to a sharp increase in body temperature, the result is heat stroke, a serious and potentially fatal illness. This is more likely to occur when the body is ill-prepared for the extreme heat, making it difficult for the body to cool down.