[ad_1]
The sun has been heating for weeks. Meteorologists report temperature records. Fields and meadows fade. Soils are cracked and dusty, watercourses and rivers threaten to dry up. But not only does nature suffer. Humans must also be economical with their resources. Fortunately, our body is master of adaptation: "In order to maintain constant body temperature despite the ambient heat, different regulatory processes are needed, such as increased blood flow or sweating," says Martin Narozny, Head of the Medbase Sports Medicine Center in Zurich. "If the body temperature deviates too much from 37 degrees, various metabolic processes would no longer work, the human being would get sick or even die."
Martin Narozny, Medical Director Medbase, Zurich.
The catch: adapting to the increase in outdoor temperature is usually easy only for young and healthy people – those for whom this "super summer" could last indefinitely. For all others, it can be helpful to know what is causing the heat and how it can be made more bearable.
What's going on in the body?
In the heat, we turn on our own air conditioning system If the excess heat dissipates, it starts to sweat. What many find annoying is really a blessing. Because if we could not sweat, we should pant and shake like dogs to avoid heat stroke. We need sweat to refresh us again and again. It evaporates on the skin, and the temperature is regulated downward. About three million glands in the skin are involved in sweat production. They release fluid continuously, even at normal outside temperatures. Of course, we only produce about half a liter of sweat a day. On the other hand, hot days like now in summer, on the other hand, it's easy to two to two liters, with physical or sports work, even up to one liter per hour! However, our body's own air conditioning system has a small drawback: the blood pressure decreases due to increased blood flow to the skin. "That's why we often feel bored and tired by the heat," says sports doctor Narozny
What does sweating contain?
Even though the body releases water only when it is sweating, it also loses essential minerals. (eg salt) and trace elements. The body loses on average 40 milligrams of calcium and 20 milligrams of magnesium per liter of sweat. Magnesium deficiency can sometimes lead to muscle cramps.
Who is at risk?
Heat is a danger especially for the elderly. For example, the hot summer of 2003 caused an additional 70,000 deaths in Europe; The most affected were old and old. It is easy to explain why this population group suffers the most from high temperatures. Many are suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension or cardiovascular disease. In addition, the ability to sweat decreases with age. At the same time, the feeling of thirst is often lost. "That's why older people run the risk of becoming dehydrated," says Ulrike Besold, chief physician in Acute Geriatrics at the Cantonal Hospital of Winterthur. "Your body is only partially able to respond to temperature fluctuations." But even toddlers must be protected from heat: they are not fully trained in thermoregulation. Anyone who suffers from an illness, especially cardiovascular problems, is also sensitive to heat. And do not forget: overweight people. Because adipose tissue isolates and hinders heat exchange.
Do you get used to the heat?
Yes. People from hot countries have adapted to the heat. They sweat earlier and more. The body's response to heat can be driven. This is what is called acclimation. After one or two weeks, the body is adapted to the new warm environment with slower heart rate, faster temperature regulation and increased and earlier production of sweat. In sport, this acclimatization is especially important if you want to perform at full capacity. You must also train to heat to get a complete acclimatization. The higher the level of pre-existing performance, the better the heat resistance.
Are there more and more victims of heat?
We can assume it all over the world. We are getting older and we are probably warming up because of climate change. This can have consequences especially for the health of . But rich Switzerland is in a privileged position. "If the well-developed infrastructure works for us, we can compensate a lot," says Manfred Essig, Chief Medical Officer of Internal Medicine at the Bernese Hospital in Tiefenau. "It is important, however, that we respect and take good care of the elderly who live often." Essig is convinced that humans are able to adapt genetically to changing living conditions to a certain extent. "But it will take many generations."
(Tages-Anzeiger)
Date created: 22.07.2018, 17:59
Source link
