The blazing heat of a North Carolina summer can be downright unbearable. Sometimes the humidity seems to wrap around you like a warm, damp blanket, making even the simplest tasks feel like a herculean effort. Welcome to summer in the south…
Naturally, we find ourselves desperately seeking relief from the aggravating effects of heat and the constant companionship of sweat. But did you know that sweating is your body’s natural cooling system? It’s how your body regulates its temperature and prevents overheating.
Read on to learn how sweating and hot weather affect your health and how to keep cool and safe this summer!
What Heat Does to Your Health
Yes, sweating may sometimes feel an annoyance, but it plays a vital role in maintaining your body’s temperature. Be that as it may, when you’re hot, you sweat, which causes you to lose fluids and electrolytes. Excessive heat and sweating can lead to dehydration, dizziness, and other health concerns we can all afford to be more mindful of.
Dehydration: Fluid and Mineral Imbalance
Hot weather can cause you to lose fluids and essential minerals like sodium and potassium through sweating. Dehydration can manifest as thirst, decreased urine output, dry mouth, and dizziness. Staying hydrated is crucial by drinking plenty of fluids balanced with salts and sugars.
Sometimes you need more than drinking water to get you back on track…and that is where IV therapy comes in to restore the hydration levels.
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion can occur when your body struggles to cool down sufficiently and loses too much water and salt (sodium) through excessive sweating. Look for symptoms such as paleness, profuse sweating, and an elevated body temperature. If you experience heat exhaustion, it’s important to take immediate action, find a cool place to rest, and replenish your fluids with something that contains a balance of salt and sugar.
Effects on Heart Rate and Blood Pressure
Heat can impact your heart rate and blood pressure. When you’re hot, your heart may beat faster to pump more blood to the skin for cooling purposes. This can result in fatigue and sluggishness, particularly during physically or mentally demanding activities. Heat-induced fluid loss and blood vessel dilation can also cause a blood pressure drop, potentially leading to dizziness or fainting.
If you experience lightheadedness or feel like you may faint, lie down with your legs elevated to improve blood flow and drink fluids to regulate your blood sugar levels. Adapting to a hotter climate may take time, so stay hydrated, take breaks when needed, and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest parts of the day.
Cognitive Effects of Hot Environments
It’s common to experience temporary difficulties in concentration and cognitive performance when exposed to high temperatures for extended periods. This impaired mental acuity is due to the body prioritizing cooling mechanisms over cognitive functioning. Taking breaks in cool areas and drinking fluids can help combat the cognitive challenges heat brings.
Heatstroke: A Life-Threatening Emergency
Heatstroke is a life-threatening medical emergency that needs immediate attention. As the most severe consequence of heat exposure, it occurs when your body’s temperature regulation fails, and your body temperature rises to dangerous levels. Symptoms include extremely high body temperature, dry skin, confusion, and a rapid pulse. If you’re suffering heatstroke, call emergency services and take cooling measures such as moving to a cool area, sipping fluids if possible, and applying ice to specific body areas.
Beating the Heat this NC Summer
Hot weather got you feeling like a wilted flower? IV therapy is here to perk you up and keep you blooming all summer long! As the most immediate and effective way to replenish fluids and minerals lost through sweat, IV infusions will have you saying goodbye to feeling dehydrated and hello to feeling your best self.
Our mobile iv therapy services in Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro can be completely customized! Our IV infusions can fit your specific needs and goals – whether you’re looking to shed a few pounds, boost your immunity, or become a true athlete.
And the best part? Hydration is always included!
Contact us today to book your IV therapy treatment this summer!
