Walking in high temperatures (the Greek island of Symi has experienced temperatures between 35°C and 40°C in recent days) can be dangerous even for a healthy person who does not take proper precautions.
The heat can put a lot of pressure on the body as it struggles to maintain its normal temperature of 37°C (97.6°F).
It can cause heat cramps, exhaustion, and feelings of confusion and nausea.
In its most extreme form we can suffer heat stroke, which can cause organ failure and be fatal.
Walking in high temperatures (the Greek island of Symi has recorded temperatures between 35°C and 40°C in recent days) can be dangerous even for a healthy person who does not take proper precautions.
The heat can put a lot of pressure on the body as it struggles to maintain its normal temperature of 37°C (97.6°F).
It can cause heat cramps, exhaustion, and feelings of confusion and nausea. (File image)
In its most extreme form we can suffer heat stroke, which can cause organ failure and be fatal. (File image)
The body’s main weapon to stop overheating is sweating. As sweat evaporates, it cools the body.
But humid conditions reduce the effectiveness of sweating, since the more humid the air, the less moisture can evaporate from the skin. As the body overheats (and heat stroke occurs), the ability to sweat shuts off and the body temperature can spiral.
Excessive sweating also puts pressure on the heart. It has to pump harder to send blood, which carries heat from inside the body to the surface.
The danger increases as the body’s internal temperature warms beyond its normal level. Between 39°C and 40°C, fatigue sets in when our brain tells our muscles to slow down.
Exhaustion occurs between 40°C and 41°C, when our organs begin to lose the ability to function. The next stage, when the body temperature exceeds 41°C, is heat stroke.