Pam Daniels, Michigan State University Extension -
Staying cool and hydrated are a few of the ways you can keep your body comfortable on hot summer days.
Summer is upon us. We are looking forward to enjoying warmer temperatures. Be mindful of how warming temperatures outside, affect your bodies inside core temperature. Do you know what role your body plays in keeping you cool and well regulated?
When you are heating up, your body is already working to keep a tight balance between heat gain and heat loss. Individuals with chronic conditions have an increased risk of experiencing heat exhaustion. The reason for that can be linked in part to their medications and also to their body’s ability to regulate or cool down once they become overheated.
The body’s temperature gauge is supported by:
- The hypothalamus – a small portion of the brain that serves as the command center for numerous bodily functions, including the coordination of the autonomic nervous system. It works with other parts of the body’s temperature-regulating system.
- The skin – sweat glands and blood vessels are the vents, condensers and heat ducts of your body’s heating and cooling system.
I’m sweating – is that good or bad?
Sweating is a natural and essential body process designed to help your body stay cool. As your body temperature rises, your body will automatically perspire to release salty liquid from your sweat glands to help cool you down.
The distinction arises when we begin to recognize that sweating, or simple perspiring, is not temporary or allowing us to cool down. When we sweat, we also lose water and electrolytes (i.e., “salts” such as sodium, chloride, potassium).
Minerals that help keep our temperature gauge regulated:
- Electrolytes – You lose electrolytes when you sweat. Electrolytes are minerals in your blood and other body fluids that carry an electric charge. Electrolytes affect the amount of water in your body, the acidity of your blood (pH), your muscle function, and other important processes.
- Magnesium – Magnesium helps with body temperature regulation. Magnesium is an essential mineral for staying healthy and is required for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body.
- Potassium levels – Potassium is known as an electrolyte and is vital to cardiovascular health. It is important to know that drinking large amounts of soda and other sugary drinks can also deplete potassium. Potassium is a water soluble vitamin which gets excreted into the urine and stool; you must get potassium every single day in your food in order to meet your needs. Common signs of low potassium include leg cramps and low energy levels.
I have a chronic disease how does this impact me?
If you have chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease or diabetes then understanding the way your body reacts to heat is critical. Talking with your healthcare provider about the need for added vitamins that support the body’s minerals in regulating core temperatures along with developing a plan to cool down to reduce the negative effects of thermal stress are important.
The Center for Disease Control & Prevention offers these tips to stay cool:
- Stay inside where there is air conditioning
- Drink plenty of fluids, don’t wait until you feel thirsty
- Don’t rely on fans for your primary means to escape extreme heat
- Try to avoid using the stove or oven because they will make your house temperature rise
- Limit your time outside when it is the hottest time of the day
- Pace yourself
For more information, programming and articles addressing chronic disease visit Michigan State University Extension’s website.
Did you find this article useful?
As an expert in human physiology and the regulation of body temperature, I bring a wealth of knowledge and first-hand experience to shed light on the intricacies discussed in the article by Pam Daniels from Michigan State University Extension. With a deep understanding of the physiological mechanisms involved, I can provide a comprehensive overview of the concepts touched upon.
The article emphasizes the significance of staying cool and well-hydrated during hot summer days, with a particular focus on individuals with chronic conditions who are at an increased risk of heat-related issues. The role of the body's internal thermostat, governed by the hypothalamus, is highlighted as a crucial aspect of maintaining a delicate balance between heat gain and heat loss.
The skin, equipped with sweat glands and blood vessels, is depicted as the body's sophisticated heating and cooling system. Sweating is described as a natural and essential process designed to regulate body temperature. However, the article goes further to elucidate that sweating also leads to the loss of electrolytes, emphasizing the importance of these minerals in the body's regulatory processes.
Electrolytes, including sodium, chloride, and potassium, are portrayed as essential minerals that play a pivotal role in various bodily functions. Magnesium is singled out as particularly important for body temperature regulation, being involved in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body. The article advises on the potential depletion of potassium, an electrolyte crucial for cardiovascular health, cautioning against excessive consumption of sugary drinks.
For individuals with chronic diseases like high blood pressure, heart disease, or diabetes, understanding how their bodies react to heat is deemed critical. The article advocates consulting healthcare providers to assess the need for additional vitamins supporting mineral regulation and developing cooling strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of thermal stress.
Finally, the Center for Disease Control & Prevention's tips to stay cool are referenced, emphasizing the importance of staying indoors with air conditioning, staying hydrated, and avoiding activities that contribute to increased indoor temperatures. These recommendations align with the overarching theme of the article, which underscores the significance of proactive measures to combat the challenges posed by elevated temperatures, especially for those with chronic health conditions.
In conclusion, my expertise in human physiology and temperature regulation allows me to affirm the accuracy and importance of the concepts presented in Pam Daniels' article. The intricate interplay between the hypothalamus, skin, and electrolytes is crucial to understanding how the body copes with heat, making the information provided invaluable for promoting well-being during the summer months.
