Heatwave In India: 5 Things That Happen To Your Body When Mercury Rises To 45 Degrees

Several parts of India including Delhi-NCR have been experiencing persistent heat waves for the past few days. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 46.2 degrees Celsius at Najafgarh, making it the hottest place in the capital. With such rising temperatures, our body certainly feels uncomfortable and responds in various ways to the increased heat and humidity.

The body’s normal temperature ranges from 37-38 degrees, as the temperature escalates, the brain tells the muscles to slow down and fatigue sets it. The sweat glands release more sweat, and the blood flow increases rapidly leading to producing more heat in the body. Here are a few things that happen to the human body when the temperature rises 45 degrees or above.

Things That Happen To Your Body When Mercury Rises To 45 Degrees

1. Increased Sweating

The most common and immediate reaction of the body to increased temperature is consistent sweating. As the mercury soars, the body activates its in-built cooling system. The sweat glands in the bodywork to release precipitation, which evaporates over the skin, leading to a cooling effect. Sweating helps the body in controlling its temperatures and prevents overheating.

2. Rapid Heartbeat

When the human body experiences scorching heat, the heart rate tends to increase. The human body takes high temperatures as a stressor and responds to it by escalating the cardiac output, in order to transport oxygen and nutrients to different parts of the body effectively. People who are already diagnosed with heart-related diseases should take extra precautions during heat waves.

3. Expansion Of Blood Vessels

When exposed to higher temperatures than normal, the blood vessels in the body begin to expand in a process referred to as vasodilation. Vasodilation is a process through which the blood vessels widen in reaction to increased heat. This expansion of blood vessels leads to heat dissipation and regulates the body’s temperature. Although, sometimes this blood vessel expansion can also lead to low blood pressure levels, which further lead to dizziness or fainting.

4. Heat Exhaustion And Heat Stroke

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heat exhaustion is the body's response to an excessive loss of water and salt, usually through excessive sweating. Heat exhaustion is most likely to affect the elderly, people with high blood pressure and those working in a hot environment. Meanwhile, heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body can no longer control its temperature: the body's temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. When heat stroke occurs, the body temperature can rise to 106°F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes.

5. Skin Changes

Extended exposure to high temperatures can lead to various skin-related problems such as sunburn, and dry or sensitive skin. The heat wave can cause the skin to dry out and lead to inflammation and redness. The ultraviolet rays of the Sun intensify, leading to a higher risk of sunburn and long-term skin damage. Therefore, one should never forget to apply sunscreen to protect the skin from harmful ultraviolet rays.

(Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment.)