The World Health Organization is beating: from 2000 to 2016, the number of people who are harmful to heat has increased by 125 million. And this figure increases every year. The reason for this growth is called climate change.
The human body maintains a constant temperature due to biochemical processes. In a state of rest, it produces as much heat as it is needed to work a 100-watt light bulb. When the environment is close to body temperature, the energy is minimal. In the heat, the body activates the mechanisms of cooling: sweating begins, the heart rate increases, blood circulation in the skin increases.
However, excessive sweating disrupts the water-salt balance. This can cause headache, cramps, nausea and fatigue. High humidity is even more complicated - sweat does not evaporate, and therefore the body does not cool, which causes a feeling of shortness of breath.
On hot days, people more often complain about a decrease in concentration, irritability, general weakness. It is difficult not only to work physically, but also to perform mental tasks. The most vulnerable are the elderly, overweight, cardiovascular disease or respiratory disorders.
Also, according to the US National Security Institute, women are worse tolerate heat due to lower sweating intensity. However, with age, this difference is offset by heart problems in men.
Professor of Boston University Gregor Vellenius indicates that the heat may cause exacerbation of diseases that are usually not associated with fever - in particular, renal problems, skin infections and even premature birth.
In addition, scientists from the United States fix the relationship between the heat and the deterioration of the mental state. In hot days there is a increased risk of exacerbation of anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, dementia. There is also evidence that high temperature lowers test results, increases the risk of production errors and disrupts cognitive functions.
