Hey everybody. I hope this blog reaches you in good spirits, great health, and in the midst of your best Spring ever. It is with the latter in mind that I am preparing the following blog for all of you to read and share. With the first day of Summer coming tomorrow and temperatures expected to be between 94 and 100 degrees here in NY the next few days, I thought there was no better time to speak about the impact of heat on our bodies. Please feel free to share this with everyone whom you feel would benefit from the information. Thanks and have a great, safe Summer season!
As temperatures rise, the body uses its built in systems to cool itself. It does this by letting heat escape through the skin and by evaporating sweat. If your body does not cool properly, then you may suffer a heat stroke. Anyone can be affected by the heat, but older adults are especially vulnerable.
Heat-related illnesses occur when the body gets too hot. If you're exposed to high temperatures for a long time and don't replace lost fluids, the body systems that regulate temperature become overwhelmed. In the heat, your body cools when your sweat evaporates, but on hot days, the evaporation is slowed due to increased moisture in the air. As a result, your body produces more heat than it can control. Heat-related illnesses can also result when large volumes of sweat are replaced with fluids that don't contain enough salt.
By the Numbers
Heat cramps typically occur during heavy exercise in extremely hot environments. As the body sweats, it is depleted of salt and moisture, which lowers salt levels in the muscles and can cause cramping.
Symptoms of Heat Cramps
Heat exhaustion is the body's response to losing an excessive amount of water and salt. The body typically reacts by excessively sweating. Athletes, outdoor workers and elderly people are particularly susceptible to heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion may occur after several days of exposure to extreme heat without proper fluids.
Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion
Exertional Heat Stroke
The most serious of heat-related illnesses, exertional heat stroke occurs when the body can no longer control its temperature. If a person's body temperature rises above 103 degrees, they're suffering from heat stroke. Although treatable, exertional heat stroke can lead to heart attack, permanent disability or death.
Symptoms of Exertional Heat Stroke
I hope that after you finish reading this you feel better prepared to protect yourself while training outdoors this Summer. Remember, training SMART is equally as important as training hard!