Heat: instruments that collapse first from extreme heat

The prolonged heat and the last few days has exhausted the inhabitants of Greece, while at the same time the heat has put the human body at great risk. The human body is well equipped to cope with the difficult environmental conditions caused by the heat wave, which can threaten the temperature of the core. This temperature usually ranges between 36°C and 38°C, an ideal temperature that allows the body’s biochemical reactions to be completed seamlessly to contribute to the proper functioning of the organs. In the great heat wave, however, our body’s thermo-regulatory capacity is undergoing a great test and along with it many systems of the organism. When the core temperature deviates from the normal range, the body initiates normal reactions to restore the temperature to normal. This thermo-regulatory response is comparable to the thermostat of our home. When the internal temperature deviates from the ideal, heating or cooling systems are activated to restore the temperature to normal levels. In the human organism, this thermostat is located at the base of the brain, in an area called “suburb”. The information received by the hypothalamus is provided by the “sensors” of the body temperature, which are not other than the skin, muscles and various organs. Heat wave: How our body fights the heat The first and most important reaction of the body to the increase in temperature is the extraction of heat through the skin and limbs of our body, such as our hands and feet. Simply, we start producing sweat that evaporates into our skin by dropping the body temperature. This system is very effective in cooling our body, but it can require up to 2 litres of water per hour in cases of excessive heat. In order to achieve the thermoregulation of our body, we need to refill our “water tank” many times. Otherwise, one is at risk of dehydration, i.e. loss of the body’s ability to sweat and cool, resulting in overheating of the organs. Through drinking water, we hire electrolytes and salts, which help maintain normal blood acidity, which is vital for cell function. Thus, our most vulnerable fellow human beings, namely those suffering from cardiovascular and circulatory diseases, children, pregnant people, those working outdoors and those who do not take precautions for heat for socio-economic reasons, are in the midst of great temperatures. What instruments, however, are most affected by extreme heat? Heart The first system affected, according to experts, is cardiovascular. To sweat and cool the blood flow is shifted from central organs to regional circulation and that is why people who are in overheating often blush. The loss of water through sweat and the redistribution of blood flow causes blood pressure to fall in the central organs and so to maintain the vital organs the flow of blood the heart is trying to compensate by increasing its pulses, i.e. the heart rate. So if the redistribution of blood flow is accompanied by dehydration or excessive fluid loss, blood pressure will drop dangerously and cause a fainting episode, a sign that usually marks a heat attack. At worst, it can lead to heart failure if the patient is not treated in time. Brain Another vital organ affected by thermal stress is the brain. Increased temperatures disrupt communication between nerve cells, while at the same time heat has the ability to influence even the DNA structure, protein as well as the integrity of the cell membrane. Dehydration may cause electrolyte loss, which can disrupt communication between nervous and muscle cells. The longer the body overheating lasts, the more serious the consequences may be. It is worth noting that the “natural air conditioning” of the brain is the respiratory system. The brain, i.e., is cooled by breathing, which cools the blood flowing to and from him. However, a negative effect is that the pH of the blood is increased due to the decrease in pressure of bicarbonates and carbon dioxide (CO 2), which may endanger the function of cells in other organs of the body. Deptic system The digestive system and intestinal tract are another important system of organs affected by heat, as less blood flows into it due to the redistribution of blood flow peripherally. This disorder prevents the system from functioning well and therefore often in cases of heat shock the sick may have nausea and vomiting. Urinary tract Finally, the loss of water and sodium can also affect the urinary tract. Under the influence of a special hormone (the anti-diuretic hormone) that secretes our brain stimulates the mechanism of water and salt resorption to neutralize the loss of blood pressure in the cardiovascular system. This results in our kidneys producing less and more concentrated urine, with more intense brown color. So we go less frequently to the toilet and this can result – especially in prolonged periods of high temperatures and dehydration – in severe tissue damage to the kidneys. Heat wave: What can you do? Listen to your body Self-evident is that large water consumption, intake of salts and electrolytes and staying in shadowy and cool places can save us from the worst. People who do not listen properly to their bodies, do not drink water and neglect the advice of health authorities during the heat wave may push their bodies into unpleasant situations such as heat shock, thermal stress and other undesirable events, which may prove potentially fatal. Elderly and heart patients whose cardiovascular system is already burdened are more at risk. At the same time, the elderly may also not be well informed about the risks of high temperatures. Finally, infants and infants depend exclusively on parental care to take the necessary measures to protect them. Tips The best advice during a heat is, in fact, to do what we already know. I mean: Drink plenty of water while restricting alcohol and caffeine consumption, which cause dehydration in the body. Avoid the sun, look for a cool place to stay the hottest hours and follow the advice of health authorities. Help those particularly vulnerable in heat conditions, especially infants and the elderly. By Gianna Soulaki / Source: iatropedia.gr with information from theconversation. com