5 essential facts about heat, sweat & your health
Summer is here! With the weather warming up, it’s important to know 5 essential facts about heat, sweat & your health. Temperatures are soaring within the UK and it can be difficult for your body to maintain the ideal temperature.
You sweat when it’s hot to keep you cool but when it’s humid outside it’s harder for perspiration on the surface of your skin to evaporate, because the air is already saturated with moisture. Knowing if you’re higher-than-usual risk for heat related illness can help you take action.
1.Men sweat more than women
Men’s sweat glands are more active and the more you sweat the more easily you can become dehydrated.
U.S National Library of Medicine claims women have more sweat glands than men but aren’t as active as men’s
2. Heat Exhaustion
Signs of heat exhaustion include
- Dizziness,
- Nausea,
- Vomiting,
- Fatigue
Move to a cooler location, drink water and soak in a cool bath or use a cool compress.
3. Infants and small children are at high risk of heat-related illnesses
They can’t control their environment & have a high metabolic rate.
They also can’t perspire as much as adults.
Never leave a child in a parked car, even with the windows open
4. Heatstroke – Life-Threatening
Call 999 if you see someone with symptoms like muscle cramping, fast heartbeat, vomiting, flushed skin, headache, mental confusion or seizures.
5. Heatstroke – Stay Protected
- Drink before you are thirsty
- Wear loose clothing
- Avoid exercising outdoors during the hottest part of the day – schedule your workout closer to sunrise/sunset
High temperatures have also been shown to affect our mental health – causing irritability, memory problems and symptoms of depression, according to the American Psychiatric Association.
The heat can also encourage aggression, influencing an increase in sexist violence over the summer months. People with chronic mental illnesses are already more vulnerable, and therefore suffer more from the heat, which can further worsen their condition.
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Tulshi Varsani
Tulshi is a highly experienced coach with a passion for supporting both corporate and sporting clients to enhance their wellbeing and performance. She applies research led practices to monitor and test, enabling her clients to achieve long-term growth and development. Tulshi was the first Performance Manager and Coach for the 8x World Championship winning Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team. Her responsibilities included managing the race team performance-testing and training programs. Including factory wide health & wellbeing initiatives. Tulshi is also a part of the Board of Advisors for a company LTAD. LTAD is a training pathway for young athletes within strength and conditioning.