I remember Muay Thai training in the summertime one particularly hot year. Sometimes, we would become so hot, we would actually shiver and feel like we were 'freezing'; light-headed, dizzy and rather nauseaus. This was not a good thing...this was heatstroke!! I had the habit of getting out of my gloves and running cold water over my head and torso at the bathroom sink; putting the gloves back on and being stupid for another hour or so because I thought I wasn't tough enough. Now, I'm not saying this was the smartest way to train, and now that I know better, I don't condone nor do I endorse this type of heat training to that level of discomfort.
Here's what happens when a person exercises in the heat: the blood is diverted away from the internal organs and goes to the dermal (skin) layer to cool the body. The hotter a person becomes, the less blood circualtion the organs, muscles and bones receive (this can be as much as 25%!). This is hazardous to the health as there can be kidney, heart, liver and intestinal damage. "Leaky Gut" syndrome can occur where bacterial invasion of the internal organs can result in inflamation, sepsis and potential death.
Heat exhuastion and Heatstroke also manifests when a person becomes so hot, they collapse, become delirious or sink into a coma.
Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day: If you or anyone you are with (including pets) believe you are experiencing heat exhaustion or heat stroke...use some common sense and stop the activity or exercise immediately! Ice baths, cold water or cold towels to immediately cool the body is a must. Sit down, rest and hydrate with cold water. Take it easy for the next few days and allow your body to recover from 'heat shock'.
No comments:
Post a Comment