Problems due to the heat
Tropical heat not only comes along with it well-known summer problems, such as sweating, mosquitoes and difficulty sleeping, but also with physical complaints. For example, you may experience symptoms of fatigue, dizziness or dehydration.
Why is it that the body does not tolerate tropical heat well?
Your body strives for a body temperature of 37 degrees. Yet some people can handle heat better than others. Sometimes the body temperature can reach 40 degrees without the person being bothered by it. In general, the elderly are less able to withstand heat than young people.
What happens to your body when the outside temperature rises?
If it is warmer than 25 degrees Celsius for a longer period, people can get complaints, especially with high humidity, little wind and a lot of solar radiation. This makes it more difficult for your body to get rid of the heat produced. Your body temperature will increase and if it goes above 37 degrees, the body won´t function well. People can reach a body temperature of 42 degrees without it being dangerous, but above 42 can be life-threatening. During the first warm days it is more difficult to get rid of the heat. This is because the body is not yet adapted to the higher temperatures.
How does your body deal with the heat?
During hot days, your body does everything it can to keep the body at a temperature of 37 degrees. This happens in two ways:
- The blood vessels dilate: your blood vessels will open more to get rid
of the heat. This is also the reason why you get a red head while
exercising.
- Sweating: in extreme heat you sweat to cool your body more.
Possible complaints with extreme heat:
If it is very hot, you may experience the following symptoms:
- No sweating or excessive sweating: Sweating is a good sign. It ensures that your body cools down. However, with some people the sweat ducts (or pores) become clogged and this can lead to heat rash (miliaria) or red bumps. Not sweating is dangerous. It could indicate heart failure. Excessive sweating is also dangerous. This can mean that your body is exhausted.
- Dehydration: When you sweat more, you need to drink more. Drinking too little can lead to dehydration and this may reduce the blood flow to the skin and thereby further increase body temperature. As a result, the blood supply to the muscles and organs will reduce which can lead to a heat stroke.
- Dizziness or light-headedness: Your body needs blood in the blood vessels around the skin to cool down. This means your heart has to work harder. This reduces the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your brain and can lead to light-headedness or dizziness and possibly fainting.
- Heat cramp: Your muscles function well if the blood has a balanced composition with sufficient minerals, such as sodium and potassium. When you sweat, you lose a lot of salt and this can cause muscle cramps. As soon as you get cramps, find a cool place and drink a sports drink.
- Swollen hands and feet: When it is warm, the blood vessels around the skin expand. More blood will flow to your hands and feet. Gravity makes it harder for the heart to return the extra blood, causing your hands and feet to swell.
- Diarrhea: In extremely hot weather, the heart draws blood from the organs. Your body compensates for this by withdrawing blood from the intestines, which can lead to diarrhea.
- Decreased urine production: The heart also draws blood from the kidneys, reducing or stopping urine production. In the worst case, this can even lead to kidney failure. If you urinate less, this is a sign that you are drinking too little. Make sure you drink enough.
Who is at risk from heat?
Seniors, people with a chronic illness, overweight people and young children are more at risk of developing these complaints.
The elderly have a reduced feeling of thirst, the organs work more slowly and they perspire less. This puts them at greater risk of complaints such as dehydration, dizziness and slow functioning kidneys.
How do you stay cool in hot weather?
- Adjust your daily schedule, avoid the heat between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.
- Drink enough, even if you are not thirsty
- Drink lukewarm (herbal) tea instead of ice cold water
- Take a lukewarm shower
- Keep your home cool, close the curtains (and windows) during the day
- Choose airy clothing in a light color
