New Delhi, April 08, 2025.
The scorching summer heat is here. The hot summer waves bring problems like dehydration, excessive sweating, and increased blood pressure. But the shocking part is how these facts are interrelated.
According to a recent study by the University of Ottawa Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit (HEPRU), our body starts having problems and reacts when the temperature exceeds 37 degrees.
For as shocking as it sounds, sweating during summer is necessary for the body. When the temperature in the atmosphere rises, sweating helps the body cool down. As the sweat evaporates, it absorbs heat, thus cooling your body.
What happens when there is moisture in the air?
- Moisture means that when water is already present in the air, it prevents sweat from drying properly.
- If sweat is not dried, the body temperature will not decrease, and its sweating mechanism will not work. This is called wet bulb temperature.
What is a Wet Bulb Temperature?
Wet bulb temperature refers to the condition in which the sweat released fails to dry to cool the body down due to extreme humidity and moisture in the air.
What is a heatwave?
According to the World Health Organisation, a Heat wave is considered if the maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40°C or more for Plains and at least 30°C or more for Hilly regions.
Know the Signs of Heat Stroke
It’s important to recognise the symptoms of heat stroke to protect yourself from heat waves and hot winds:
- Not sweating even in extreme heat
- Dizziness, headache
- Feeling extreme weakness or fatigue
- High fever
