The heat wave happening across the United States and has recently stricken Central Illinois is bringing Unforseen health risks. The high-intensity heat has increased emergency room visits with psychiatric and mental health concerns. Citizens experiencing stress in the form of heat are more susceptible to, substance abuse, anxiety, mood disorders, and even heighten effects in people who have schizophrenia.

Ed Lacheta explains that these heightened symptoms are bringing more and more people inside the doors of emergency rooms just for relief from their discomfort. Lacheta calls the heat a “suppressive feel”.

Lacheta says that sleep is affected when there are sudden changes in body temperature throughout the day. So even if one has air conditioning, the changes in temp throw the body off. Bringing even more stress and anxiety with the lack of sleep.

Lacheta wants the community to remember that stress is affecting everyone. He correlates the high-stress levels to the society people survive through every day. Lacheta mentions, “the rat race” making those stress levels rise and it is best to remember that we are all in the same boat and it is good to talk about your issues with someone.

If your stress levels reach a level that is too much to handle, reach out for medical assistance or call the crisis numbers 217-774 -2113. There is a new national assistance hotline that is available day and night. Call 988 for a mental health emergency.

Ed Lacheta appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show in Shelbyville.