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This year, as the month of May is progressing, it is bringing with it a period of intense and scorching heat. The weather showed different colors in March and April, but now in the last time of May, the Sun God is raining fire from the sky. On top of that, now the phase of Nautapa has also started, which has increased the heat manifold.

Weather patterns are breaking new records every year. When the mercury touches 45°C or 48°C, in common parlance we often say that ‘today is deadly hot.’ But have you ever wondered what the real meaning of this word ‘deadly’ is from the point of view of scientific and medical science? Our body is also like a machine, which has its own limit of functioning. Let us understand in depth how much heat can the human body tolerate and what is the last point after which the body organs stop functioning. In this era of changing environment, heat is no longer just a ‘season’ but is becoming a serious ‘health disaster’.

What external temperature can the human body withstand?

According to scientists, the body of a healthy human being can easily tolerate the external temperature of 35°C to 40°C. But as soon as the temperature crosses 40°C, the body has to work harder to keep itself cool. If there is less moisture in the air then dry heat occurs. In such a situation, the human body can withstand temperatures ranging from 45°C to 50°C for some time, provided he is continuously drinking water and is present in the shade. But if the temperature crosses the Lakshman Rekha of 50°C, then it directly becomes a very serious threat to human life.

If we understand it from a scientific point of view, the normal internal temperature of the human body is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, which is equal to 37 degrees Celsius of the external environment. Human beings can easily survive in an internal temperature of maximum 42.3 degrees Celsius. According to science, human being is a warm-blooded mammalian organism, which is protected by a special internal system called ‘homeostasis’. Through this process, our brain (hypothalamus) auto-controls the body temperature within the limits necessary for survival.

The real battle of temperatures: the game of indoor and outdoor temperatures

To understand this deadly game of heat, it is very important to know the two types of body temperature.

outdoor temperature

This is the temperature that the meteorological department tells us daily or which we feel directly in the sunlight, i.e. the environment around us.

indoor temperature

It is also called the ‘core temperature’ of the body. This is the temperature of the most important internal organs of our body like heart, liver and brain. The internal temperature of a healthy person’s body should always remain fixed between 36.5 to 37.5 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit).

body’s natural cooling system

When the external temperature suddenly starts increasing, our brain (hypothalamus) becomes active and immediately sends ‘commands’ to cool the body. After this, the blood flow rapidly increases towards the skin and we sweat a lot. When this sweat comes in contact with air and evaporates, our body cools down from inside.

What is ‘wet bulb temperature’ and why is it the biggest villain?

Let us tell you that not only the increase in temperature is dangerous, but the real villain is humidity. To measure this accurately, scientists use ‘Wet Bulb Temperature’. It is actually such a dangerous mixture of temperature and humidity, which decides whether our body will be able to keep itself cool by sweating or not.

real alarm bells

According to scientists, a wet bulb temperature of 35°C is the last limit of human survival. This means when the temperature is 35°C and humidity is 100 percent, or when the temperature is 46°C and humidity is 50 percent. In this life-threatening situation, there is so much moisture in the air that the sweat coming out of the body is unable to dry. Its dire consequence is that the body’s natural cooling system fails completely and the person can die in agony within a few hours.

When the cooling system fails, what is the effect on the organs?

When the body completely fails to keep itself cool, our core core temperature begins to rise rapidly. As soon as it reaches 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) or above, it starts having destructive effects on the body organs.

Brain

Excessive heat can cause swelling in the nerves of the brain. Due to this, the person becomes completely confused, his tongue and voice start wavering and he may suddenly fall unconscious.

Heart

To maintain blood pressure and cool the body, the heart has to pump blood very fast. Due to this, the heart rate increases to a dangerous level, which creates the risk of a direct heart attack.

kidney and liver

Due to severe dehydration (lack of water), the blood of the body starts thickening. Because of this, the kidneys are unable to filter toxins from the blood and start failing. Similarly, liver cells also gradually start getting destroyed.

cells

In very high heat, the proteins present inside the body start boiling, which is called ‘de-nature’ in the language of science. It is just like when an egg is boiled it becomes completely hard from inside. Due to this, the cells of the body start dying from within.

What is heat stroke level? Its three dangerous stages

Medical science has divided the physical problems caused by heat into three serious stages, the symptoms of which are as follows.

Heat Cramps

This is the first stage, in which there is severe pain and cramps in the muscles and there is excessive sweating. This is a sign that lack of water and salt has started in the body.

Heat Exhaustion

In this second stage, the patient experiences dizziness, severe weakness, headache, nausea (feeling like vomiting) and cold and clammy skin. At this time the body temperature reaches 38°C to 39°C.

Heat Stroke

This is the most dangerous and final stage. The internal temperature rises to 104°F (40°C) or higher, sweating stops completely (causing the skin to appear dry and red), the patient experiences tremors and faints. This is a serious medical emergency because the body’s cooling system has completely crashed.

How to save yourself from death? Know the important advice of doctors

To stay safe from this deadly and record-breaking heat, doctors have advised to take some very simple but life-saving steps.

never leave water

Whether you feel thirsty or not, keep drinking water every half hour throughout the day. Apart from this, consume ORS solution, lemon water, coconut water or buttermilk.

Avoid going out during peak hours

The sun’s rays are most dangerous between 12 noon and 4 pm. If you do not have very important work at this time, avoid going out in direct sunlight.

Choose loose and appropriate clothes

During summer, always wear light colored and cotton clothes, so that air can flow and the sweat of the body can dry easily.

Recognize body symptoms

If you suddenly feel dizzy, nervous or feel like vomiting, then without wasting a moment, immediately go to a cool or shady place and splash cold water on your body and face.