One of the body’s reactions to heat is drowsiness. Photo source: ethnomir.ru
Contents
- 1 What happens to the body in the heat
- 2 Why a person gets tired quickly in the heat
- 4 What to do if you want to sleep in the heat
< li>3 Why drowsiness occurs in the heat
What happens to the body in the heat
The body of a healthy person maintains body temperature at no higher than 37.5 degrees Celsius, regardless of the ambient temperature. It is to this temperature that our body has adapted in the process of evolution, and cannot function if this indicator is much lower or higher than this value.
When it gets hot outside, the body has to make a lot of effort to prevent overheating. The very first reaction to heat is the dilation of blood vessels at the surface of the skin. Thus, the body removes heat outside.
Active sweating helps the body cool down in the heat. Photo source: jnews.ge
At the same time, sweat glands begin to work hard, which ensures cooling of the skin surface due to moisture evaporation. By the way, sweat actively evaporates only if the humidity level is low. If the humidity reaches 100%, the evaporation process stops completely. Therefore, a person dies already at an air temperature of +35 degrees according to the wet thermometer. You can read more about this at the link.
In addition, the heart rate increases in the heat. This is due to the fact that in order to remove heat more quickly, the body increases its heart rate. As a result, blood begins to circulate more actively.
Why does a person get tired quickly in the heat
Thermoregulation, that is, vasodilation, active sweating and rapid heartbeat, requires a lot of energy from the body. Moreover, the higher the ambient temperature, the more resources the body requires for thermoregulation.
In the heat, the body actively spends energy, which is why weakness occurs. Photo source: liter.kz
Therefore, even when a person is simply sitting in the office or at home on the couch, he spends more energy than at normal room temperature. Accordingly, the strength becomes less, which leads to the rapid appearance of a feeling of fatigue. It may be accompanied by irritability, sad mood, apathy, etc.
In addition, dehydration can be the cause of fatigue and weakness. As mentioned above, active sweating occurs in extreme heat. A person loses a lot of moisture, but does not always replenish it in sufficient quantities.
Why drowsiness occurs in the heat
Drowsiness in the heat occurs for several reasons. One of them has already been announced — This is fatigue that sets in quickly during the day. At the same time, blood pressure may decrease due to vasodilation. This means that less blood and oxygen reaches the brain, which also results in fatigue and drowsiness. However, a person may experience symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, difficulty concentrating, and blurred vision.
In extreme heat, your blood pressure drops, causing fatigue and drowsiness. Photo source: thegirl.ru
By the way, a sharp decrease in pressure may be a sign of heat exhaustion — precursor to heat stroke. Therefore, if dizziness occurs, vision darkens and nausea sets in, it is necessary to take immediate action — find shade, go into a cool room or, for example, take a cool shower. You should also drink water immediately to avoid dehydration.
In general, drowsiness is a normal reaction of the body. In sleep, as is known, a person spends less energy. Therefore, it is not surprising that the body forces us to lie down and take a nap, that is, it tries to “turn on energy-saving mode,” even when it is completely inappropriate, for example, during the working day.
What to do if you want to sleep in the heat
If you feel like you want to sleep, and you have the opportunity to do so, then you should not resist sleep. For example, in southern countries there is such a thing as “siesta,” which means a mandatory afternoon rest.
Daytime sleep will help restore strength in the heat. Photo source: secretmag.ru
Daytime sleep allows you to “sleep” through the peak of the heat. At the same time, it reduces the load on the body and allows you to restore strength. After taking a nap, you'll be able to work more efficiently the rest of the day when the heat subsides. The only thing is that you shouldn’t sleep too long, until the evening, as in this case you will have problems with night sleep.
If you don’t have the opportunity to follow the example of the inhabitants of southern countries, try to drink more water. Moreover, it is advisable to choose mineral water, as it will help restore the supply of microelements that are removed from the body through sweat. In addition, it is necessary to avoid physical activity, as it is already difficult for the body. You should also switch to a “summer” diet, which helps you withstand extreme heat.
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And most importantly — Avoid exposure to the sun, especially in the middle of the day when the heat is at its peak, and ensure comfortable rest at night. If you don't have air conditioning, these tips on how to keep yourself cool may help.