What tips to combat the summer heat?
Episodes of extreme heat occur more and more frequently and are taxing on the body, although it has a natural system to combat rising temperatures. Despite this, some people are less tolerant of rising thermometers, while others are particularly vulnerable. Fortunately, there are solutions to help the body adapt and avoid all the inconveniences that heat can cause. Before giving you tips for dealing with it, let's see how the body adapts to rising temperatures and what inconveniences they can cause.
Nature is well designed since the body has mechanisms to maintain its constant temperature, even when it is hot. Man is a so-called homeothermic being, that is to say he has the capacity to maintain a constant average temperature, this is close to 37.5 degrees. For this, it is equipped with a thermoregulation system which is activated if the external temperature tends to threaten the balance of the internal temperature.
In the event of extreme heat, the body sets up a series of heat exchanges in order to cause heat loss and therefore cool the body. There are 4 main types of heat exchange:
- Evaporation: this is undoubtedly the method of cooling best known to the general public. This heat exchange is possible thanks to perspiration: a thin film of sweat is formed on the skin, providing freshness. But it is by evaporating that sweat will allow heat to dissipate and therefore cool the body. Furthermore, this sweating can be excessive if it is very hot. It then causes itching and small pimples on the skin.
- Radiation: Man is capable of cooling himself simply by emitting radiation, it is this radiation that is visible with an infrared camera.
- Convection: faced with heat, we observe a dilation of the blood vessels. This expansion allows heat to be conducted towards the skin and facilitates heat exchange with the outside world: the blood is cooled. In other words, there is a transfer of heat to the external environment.
- Conduction: This heat exchange is very simple, in contact with an object having a temperature lower than that of the body, we observe a transfer of heat from the hottest medium to that which is least hot. This is why it is not uncommon to see your pet slumped on the cool tile floor during the summer.
The degree of effectiveness of the thermoregulation system is intra-individual, some tolerate heat better than others. Despite an effective thermoregulation system, heat has a significant impact on the body.
The major disorder caused by high temperatures on the body is dehydration. The clinical signs are numerous and easily identifiable. She provokes :
- A feeling of thirst
- Dries out the mucous membranes (pasty mouth)
- Headaches
- Great fatigue.
- Weight loss which reflects a lack of water in the body because it represents 60% of body mass in adults.
- Hypotension. Water is the majority component of blood, a drop in water in the body leads to a drop in blood volume. Blood circulation is reduced, which can have deleterious consequences for the organs which no longer have a sufficient supply of oxygen and nutrients.
- Significant drop in physical energy.
Dehydration corresponds to lack of water and mineral salts. This causes a series of symptoms, listed above, but it has another serious consequence for the body. In fact, it will no longer be able to cool itself effectively since it will no longer be able to produce sweat which requires both water and electrolytes. The physical thermoregulatory system can no longer use evaporation to lose heat and risks heat stroke. Symptoms of heatstroke include:
- Severe headache
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Vertigo
- Behavior disorder
Rehydration and lowering body temperature become vital. This heatstroke can be fatal for people particularly at risk from heat. This is the case for infants, young children and the elderly because these age categories are more sensitive to dehydration.
· In infants and young children, this is explained by a greater proportion of water in the body: it reaches 75%. Thus, skin water loss is increased. They also have a greater metabolism, which leads to greater water loss. They therefore need a much more frequent intake of water compared to adults, but many children do not have the reflex to drink and infants can hardly communicate the sensation of thirst.
· In seniors, the proportion of water in the body is reduced, reaching 50%. Likewise, with age, there is a loss of the feeling of thirst which can be very dangerous since the elderly person will not realize their state of dehydration and will not have the reflex to hydrate sufficiently. .
Finally, heat upsets the body physically but also mentally. It affects the brain and causes a decline in cognitive functions leading to a reduction in productivity. It also impacts morale and can cause anxiety, nervousness, and a reduction in the quality of sleep (insomnia). In the long term, these effects can lead to depression. Fortunately, there are many effective solutions to cool down and cope with rising temperatures.
The most effective way to avoid the unwanted effects of heat is hydration. If the thermometer rises, it is essential to increase your water consumption throughout the day. This means increasing water intake but also their frequencies. However, be careful not to drink too much, because too much water intake can also be harmful to the body. The optimal amount of water is between 1.5 and 2.5 liters of water per day for a sedentary individual. You should not wait for the feeling of thirst to hydrate, because it is already a sign of dehydration. To reach this quota, there are many tips such as putting ice cubes in your drinks but also drinking tea or water flavored with lemon zest for example. Water consumption also occurs through diet, especially through fresh fruits and vegetables which are both rich in water and minerals.
Hydration is made easier thanks to the Hydratis solution which contains a precise formula allowing an adequate supply of minerals and trace elements which promotes maximum absorption of water. The body is rehydrated faster and more effectively than with water drunk alone. With the help of its senior range, designed and designed for the elderly, Hydratis also provides enhanced hydration for people who particularly need it.
To combat the heat, in addition to hydration, it is also important to cool down, to help the body maintain its temperature:
- Nothing better than taking reasonably cold showers, moistening your face and neck using a mister or splashing yourself with water. With a thin film of cool water on the skin, the body can increase the phenomenon of evaporation to lower its temperature.
- It is also advisable to eat light in order to reduce the digestive burden. Digestion requires the body to consume a lot of energy and water, which can therefore be saved by eating foods that are easy to digest, such as vegetables.
- You can also choose clothes made of light material, such as linen, which will promote air circulation
- Above all, stay cool: lower the shutters during the day and avoid going out and playing sports during the hottest hours.
The most effective way to protect yourself against the heat, whatever the time of year, is hydration. At all times, it is therefore advisable to maintain your hydration level optimally, and more particularly, for people most sensitive to heat: children and the elderly. Hydratis is the first solution suitable for ages 3 and up to hydrate effectively and which makes hydration easier for seniors. It allows faster assimilation of liquids and is adapted to the physiological constraints of older people. No longer let the heat of the sun hamper your well-being with the help of Hydratis lozenges with natural and fruity flavors.
