5 myths about salvation from the heat, in which you should not believe

1. Cold air from an air conditioner is dangerous

Air conditioning does increase the risk of allergies and colds, but chilled air itself has nothing to do with it. Another thing is what is in this air.

Scientists have long noticedCommentary: Air conditioning as a risk for increased use of health servicesthat people who work in buildings with air conditioning are more likely to get colds than those who have normal ventilation at work. In addition, they are more likely to experience irritation of the mucous membranes and skin, breathing problems, headache and fatigue.

And it's not that they are cold in their workplaces.

Simply cooling parts of the air conditioning system are a great place to grow bacteria. MicroorganismsHuman Health and Air Conditioning Systems multiply in ventilation, and their waste products fill the air in offices and cause asthma, allergic rhinitis and pneumonitis.

And this is true not only for office buildings. A home air conditioner can also spread allergens and harmful substances: dust mites

Air ‑ conditioner Filters Enriching Dust Mites Allergen, animal dander, moldBasic Facts about Mold and Dampness and bacteria.

In addition, running air conditioner driesStudy on Room Air Conditioner Dehumidification Capacity indoor air, which creates simply heavenly conditions for viruses. Low humidity not only helpsHigh Humidity Leads to Loss of Infectious Influenza Virus from Simulated Coughs im spread but also suppressFlu virus ’best friend: Low humidity protection of the body, preventing our cells from fighting harmful particles.

Cold can alsoWhat's the link between cold weather and the common cold? reduce immunity, but for this the air conditioner must be set to a really low temperature. If you are not going to set up a freezer at home, this factor is unlikely to affect your health.

So to avoid colds and allergic diseases, try:

1. Clean filters every two weeks. This is a simple operation that you can do yourself. Just open the lid of the air conditioner, take out the filters, wash them with warm water and dry them at room temperature.

2. Consider buying air purifier. The compact device removes dust, hair, mold and other flying muck that can cause your runny nose and headaches.

3. Maintain air humidity 40-60%. Buy a humidifier or try to improve the indoor climate on their own.

2. Ice water helps to cool

It seems natural to drink cold water on a hot day, and a misted glass of ice-cold lemonade is associated with supreme bliss. Cold drinks are not the best choice for extreme heat, however.

When you drink a glass of ice cold water, receptors in the mouth, esophagus, and stomach tell the brain that the temperature has dropped. you feelCold Pleasure. Why We Like Ice Drinks, Ice-Lollies and Ice Cream freshness, and thirst retreats.

But this effect does not last very long - only until the surrounding tissues heat the water you drink.

At the same time, in response to exposure to cold temperatures, the blood vessels constrict, which restricts blood flow and forces the body to store heat.

Unlike cold drinksBody heat storage during physical activity is lower with hot fluid ingestion under conditions that permit full evaporation warm water (about 50 ° C) does not prevent the body from cooling itself. Moreover, it stimulates perspiration, so you cool off much more efficiently. Yes, a lot sweat can be annoying, but it protects you from overheating and prevents you from getting heatstroke, which is much more important than the aesthetic side of the issue.

3. A cold shower is the best escape from the heat

We feel most comfortable when the air heats up.Comfort and thermal sensations and associated physiological responses at various ambient temperatures up to 28 ° С, but due to the mechanisms of thermoregulation, we can maintain a constant body temperature in a wider range - from +12 ° С to +48 ° С.

Internal body temperature is controlled through blood flow. If we are cold, the flow of blood to the skin decreases, if it is hot, it increases. Sweat evaporation increases heat transferComfort and thermal sensations and associated physiological responses at various ambient temperatures into the environment, the skin and blood cool and the body temperature drops.

Since receptors in the skin directly affect this mechanism, a cold shower provides relief but interferes with thermoregulation.

The icy jets of water stimulate the receptors and tell the body that you are cool. In response, blood flow to the skin decreases.Ice ‑ Water Hand Immersion Causes a Reflex Decrease in Skin Temperature in the Contralateral Hand, which reduces the loss of body heat. You walk out of the shower back into the hot room, but the receptors continue to behave as if you are cool. This reduces heat transfer and prevents your body from cooling itself.

Wherein shower It's not a bad idea to keep it warm or at least cool. A water temperature of about 33 ° C will refreshHealth Check: do cold showers cool you down? you will not be fooled by receptors in the skin, so that the body will be fully prepared to continue to fight overheating.

4. You need to drink only when you want

Since sweating is the body's only way to cool itself down, we lose a lot of moisture in the heat. If the body's water reserves are not replenished at the same time, thermoregulation can malfunction, which will result in overheating and heatstroke.

It would seem that this should not be a problem if you are not in the desert. I wanted to drink - made up for the lack of fluid and sweat yourself further. But it's not that simple.

In reality, the desire to drink is not the mostThe Utility of Thirst as a Measure of Hydration Status Following Exercise ‑ Induced Dehydration reliable indicator of dehydration.

Thirst can be influenced by the taste and availability of drinks, individual habits and characteristics. For example, older people tend to be less thirsty.Health effects of hot weather: From awareness of risk factors to effective health protection, and therefore more risk of dehydration in hot weather.

This is especially important if you are playing sports or actively moving in the sun. During prolonged exercise, people often underestimateWater Tips for Efficient Exercise loss of fluids through sweat, drinking much less than needed to maintain water balance, and stop feeling thirsty soonerThe Utility of Thirst as a Measure of Hydration Status Following Exercise ‑ Induced Dehydrationthan overcome dehydration.

Drink at least 2.7-3 liters of waterPress release: Surgeon calls for ‘radical culture change’ towards drinking water in a day. With profuse perspiration, as during physical activityWater Tips for Efficient Exercise, - a glass of water every 15-30 minutes.

But too much is also bad. Excessive amount of water lowers blood electrolyte levels, which can result in water toxicityWhat happens if you drink too much water? with symptoms such as headache, weakness, and nausea.

In order not to catch this condition, you should not consume more than 1 liter. water in hour. If you drink 1.5 liters per hour while exercising outdoors, next time grab a carbohydrate and electrolyte sports drink. He will helpVoluntary fluid intake and core temperature responses in adolescent tennis players: sports beverage versus water maintain water-salt balance and prevent dehydration.

5. Ice cream is the best food in the heat

Ice cream gives a feeling of freshness due to the cool sensation in the mouth, but this only works while you are eating. As with ice water, coldness in your esophagus and stomach will prevent your body from responding properly to heat and transferring heat from your body to the surface of your skin. Moreover, after the ice cream, you will be thirsty.

The consumption of sweets provokesWhy alcohol, sugar lead to thirst the release of the hormone FGF21 in the liver, which then travels to the hypothalamus and causes thirst.

Finally, the metabolism of any nutrient releasesEffects of Heat on Appetite extra warmth and slightly increases body temperature. And what calorie the product, the greater this effect.

Therefore, if you do not want to complicate thermoregulation, try to eliminate heavy foods on hot days. Instead, lean on fruits, berries, watermelons and vegetables - in addition to fiber and vitamins, they are very highWater Content of Fruits and Vegetables water to help you stay hydrated.

Alternatively, you can try spicy foods. Capsaicin is a substance found in pepper chili - affectsCan What You Eat Make You Sweat? receptors in the mouth and causes the body to produce more sweat. And sweat, as we know, is the body's best way to avoid overheating.

---

Tell us how you deal with the heat.