Electric fans may have no effect in extreme heat - NewsChannel5.com | Nashville News, Weather & Sports

Electric fans may have no effect in extreme heat

Updated:
© iStockphoto / Thinkstock © iStockphoto / Thinkstock

THURSDAY, July 12 (HealthDay News) -- There's no reliable evidence to show whether electric fans keep people cool during extreme heat waves, according to British researchers who reviewed studies on their use.

While some of the studies suggested that indoor fans might reduce heat-related health problems, others suggested that fans might actually make things worse, the researchers found.

They cited health experts in saying: "A fan might help to increase heat loss if the temperature is below [95 degrees] and the fan is not directly aimed at the person, but when temperatures are above [95], the fan might actually contribute to heat gain."

However, none of the studies met the researchers' quality requirements, according to the review published online July 11 in The Cochrane Library.

"Our review does not support or refute the use of electric fans during a heat wave and people making decisions about them should consider the current state of the evidence base. They might also wish to make themselves aware of local policy or guidelines when making a choice about whether or not to use or supply electric fans," review co-author Katie Carmichael, from the Health Protection Agency in the United Kingdom, said in a journal news release.

Another co-author, Mike Clarke, from the All-Ireland Hub for Trials Methodology Research in Queen's University Belfast, stressed that "the evidence is not already out there on the benefits and harms of electric fans. We need a large randomized trial to resolve this long-standing and on-going uncertainty, and to help people make well-informed choices about their use." A randomized trial is one in which study participants are randomly chosen to either receive a treatment or not.

Also commenting on the review, co-author Dr. Saurabh Gupta, a consultant in public health at Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust in the United Kingdom, said: "It is important to know about the potential benefits and harms of electric fans when choosing whether to use one. This is true if you are simply making a decision about your own use of a fan, but it also applies to broader public health decisions, such as whether to give electric fans to groups of people during a heat wave," he added.

"This is particularly important for people who are considered more vulnerable to the effects of heat, such as older adults who are less able to cool down through sweating or increasing the flow of blood to their skin," Gupta explained in the news release.

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers hot weather tips.

Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

  • Medical News HeadlinesMedical News Headlines

  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:15 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:15:07 GMT
    Half a million premature babies are born in the U.S. every year. One doctor believes lullabies could reduce the chances of infections and huge hospital bills and she's got the proof to back it up.
    Half a million premature babies are born in the U.S. every year. One doctor believes lullabies could reduce the chances of infections and huge hospital bills and she's got the proof to back it up.

  • Monday, May 20 2013 5:15 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:15:02 GMT
    Macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss in Americans 60 and older. Once it progresses there aren't many treatment options, but now there is a high-tech way that doctors are using to help patients see better.
    Macular degeneration is the leading cause of severe vision loss in Americans 60 and older. Once it progresses there aren't many treatment options, but now there is a high-tech way that doctors are using to help patients see better.

  • Friday, May 17 2013 5:15 PM EDT2013-05-17 21:15:06 GMT
    Cholesterol, cancer, even infectious diseases: our blood can help doctors detect them all. Now, blood is being used to figure out what's going on inside your head.
    Cholesterol, cancer, even infectious diseases: our blood can help doctors detect them all. Now, blood is being used to figure out what's going on inside your head.

  • Thursday, May 16 2013 5:15 PM EDT2013-05-16 21:15:01 GMT
    Millions of Americans suffer from GERD – a chronic digestive disease that happens when stomach acid flows back into your food pipe. A lot of people know the condition causes heartburn, but there's a lot more to it.
    Millions of Americans suffer from GERD – a chronic digestive disease that happens when stomach acid flows back into your food pipe. A lot of people know the condition causes heartburn, but there's a lot more to it.

  • Wednesday, May 15 2013 5:15 PM EDT2013-05-15 21:15:01 GMT
    The average person remembers less than half of what doctors say during their office visits. Now there's a way to remember exactly what your doctor told you.
    Good communication between patients and physicians is critical to care, but the average person remembers less than half of what doctors say during their office visits. Now there's a way to remember exactly what your doctor told you.

  • Tuesday, May 14 2013 5:15 PM EDT2013-05-14 21:15:08 GMT
    If a sharp pain hits your back or side, beware, it could be a warning sign of a kidney stone. Every year one million people in the U.S. are treated for them and there's a lot of misinformation about the masses.
    If a sharp pain hits your back or side, beware, it could be a warning sign of a kidney stone. Every year one million people in the U.S. are treated for them and there's a lot of misinformation about the masses.

  • Monday, May 13 2013 5:15 PM EDT2013-05-13 21:15:02 GMT
    They're popping up all over the place. Providing kids and adults wall-to-wall entertainment, but is the trampoline arena trend resulting in simple fun or serious fractures?
    They're popping up all over the place. Providing kids and adults wall-to-wall entertainment, but is the trampoline arena trend resulting in simple fun or serious fractures?

  • Friday, May 10 2013 5:15 PM EDT2013-05-10 21:15:03 GMT
    At least 30 million Americans are having trouble hearing. Now, a new type of hearing aid is making it easier for people to get help without everyone knowing it.
    At least 30 million Americans are having trouble hearing. Now, a new type of hearing aid is making it easier for people to get help without everyone knowing it.

  • Thursday, May 9 2013 5:15 PM EDT2013-05-09 21:15:08 GMT
    When a nerve is injured, pain, numbness, and loss of sensation are common. Fixing damaged nerves used to mean patients had to sacrifice another nerve from their body, but now there's an easier way.
    When a nerve is injured, pain, numbness, and loss of sensation are common. Fixing damaged nerves used to mean patients had to sacrifice another nerve from their body, but now there's an easier way.

  • Tuesday, May 7 2013 5:15 PM EDT2013-05-07 21:15:08 GMT
    Aggressive breast cancer can be hard to beat. Even if women do overcome it, there's a good chance it could come back. Now, doctors believe depleting the body of a well-known metal could be the key to keeping it away.
    Aggressive breast cancer can be hard to beat. Even if women do overcome it, there's a good chance it could come back. Now, doctors believe depleting the body of a well-known metal could be the key to keeping it away.
*DISCLAIMER*: The information contained in or provided through this site section is intended for general consumer understanding and education only and is not intended to be and is not a substitute for professional advice. Use of this site section and any information contained on or provided through this site section is at your own risk and any information contained on or provided through this site section is provided on an "as is" basis without any representations or warranties.
Powered by WorldNow
Contact Us | Advertise | Mobile | RSS Feeds | Facebook | Twitter | Email Alerts | Jobs |
Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Public File

© 2013 NewsChannel5.com | NewsChannel 5 WTVF-TV Nashville TN | Site hosted by WorldNow. All Rights Reserved.