Sweat, Cells, and Survival: The Body’s Battle Against Heat
Thermoregulation: The body maintains a stable internal temperature around 98.6°F. When heat rises, the brain's hypothalamus signals for cooling actions.
Sweating: Sweat glands release moisture (mainly water and salts) onto the skin. As it evaporates, it cools the body.
Blood Vessel Dilation: Blood vessels near the skin expand (vasodilation) to release more heat through the skin’s surface.
Cellular Response: Cells produce heat-shock proteins to protect themselves from overheating and damage.
Electrolyte Balance: Sweat contains sodium, potassium, and other electrolytes. Losing too much without replacement can cause muscle cramps or heat exhaustion.
Hydration: Water is essential to keep sweating effective. Dehydration weakens the body’s cooling system and increases the risk of heatstroke.
Heat Illness Progression: If cooling fails, the body can go from heat cramps to heat exhaustion, and finally to life-threatening heatstroke.
Adaptation: Over time, the body can adapt to hot environments by sweating more efficiently and conserving electrolytes.