In we have considered natural ability a person to maintain a comfortable internal temperature of the body. It was made clear that although we are not designed for living in cold climates, we have enough potential to develop the ability to comfortably endure the cold.
It remains to restore and establish these mechanisms and awaken the dormant potential within us. How to do this will be discussed in the second part of the article.
How can we ensure a comfortable state at any time of the year and raise our health to a higher level?
We have established the factors that influence the quality of our thermoregulation, and all our methods will accordingly be aimed at normalizing their work, we need:
- Clean the vessels and small capillaries, thereby establishing uniform blood flow throughout all tissues of the body and maximally eliminating the causes of their re-clogging. Uniform distribution of cold or warm blood in all tissues of the body is the main factor allowing feel confident at any temperature.
- Punch the pores of the skin to establish uniform sweating over its entire surface. The causes of their contamination, as with vessels, will be reduced to a minimum. This will allow you to comfortably endure the heat and significantly improve general state skin.
Here are a few pictures illustrating the “correct” reaction to cold with clean capillaries. Uniform redness, or rather even “pinkishness”. This is what we strive for:
Turning blue in the cold will indicate frostbite. Particularly advanced cases are blue discoloration with prominent large “dead” vessels. These can often be seen in alcoholics (and not necessarily in the cold).
Let's get acquainted with the methods, we have plenty of them, but first let's mention the importance of physical activity.
Introduction of physical activity
Movement is not a technique, but a general “background” that affects all areas of our health, including thermoregulation. First of all, we are interested in aerobic exercise, in which muscles receive energy with the participation of oxygen. These include: running, walking, swimming, yoga, dancing, sport games, cycling, skating, etc.
Without movement, it is impossible for a person to establish adequate blood flow, so its presence on an ongoing basis extremely important. The remaining health benefits of a sports lifestyle are obvious and do not need to be listed again. Let me remind you that this should become a way of life, a habit, otherwise you will not feel a visible effect. One-time wearing of a tracksuit on the weekend, and “tearing off” for the whole week immobile office work, makes no sense!
More on clothes. We too often overheat in what we are wearing, which leads to disruptions and detraining of our heat transfer abilities. It is better to dress according to the season, completely eliminating the possibility of sweating. It is better to leave a small “reserve” with which you will be cool - this will provoke the use of muscle activity as part of the natural method of warming up.
Cold and hot shower
Cold and hot shower and - the first technique on the list, one of the simplest and most accessible, which, nevertheless, is very effective when applied correctly and systematically.
The recipe is simple : after standing and warming up well under hot water, sharply reduce its temperature to as cold as possible. Ideally, “hold out” for 3-5 minutes, and then return to the warm stream of water for a minute and a half. And so alternate 2-3 times. We must complete the procedure cold water followed by rubbing with a hard towel. No use of soap or shampoos!
For beginners, the cold rinse time may seem too long, so you can reduce it to your comfort level and gradually increase it. You can also reduce the number of temperature change cycles.
It is important to increase the time of cold contact with water to 3-5 minutes! This will allow you to “turn on” the necessary “sleeping” processes of the body. The reference point will be the effect of “ice petrification” of the skin, you will definitely feel it. Afterwards, the skin will begin to turn pink and you will feel a pleasant internal heat. In this way, an attempt is made to expand the capillaries and begin to “breathe” fully. This is the “healing moment” for which everything is started.
The usual cycle, hot-icy-hot-icy, is sufficient for many. It will take 10-12 minutes maximum, so you can use it daily. Exceeding cold bathing for more than 5 minutes is no longer as effective, and for some it can be dangerous for frostbite. Records are of no use here. But 3-5 minutes cold water cannot cause frostbite!
A contrast shower perfectly tones and qualitatively improves the skin and capillaries. This is a “blow on all fronts” of health, simple and accessible procedure and because of this it is often underestimated.
Pouring
It differs from a contrast shower in the absence of pre-warming of the skin and a sharp general dousing of ice water. Pouring treats stress and shaking, tones and invigorates. The body's reserves, which normally sleep soundly, awaken.
This is probably the best remedy against colds, flu and other “seasonal misfortunes”. The nose breaks through instantly, the days of illness are sharply reduced, the cough subsides. The body is put in an extreme situation and, “realizing” that it is not the place to be sick now, it brings down all its reserves to fight against cause ailments.
An alternative to dousing is bathing in natural springs, the effect of which is much stronger. We finish the procedures in the same way, rubbing with a dry towel, completely eliminating any other type of heating.
Pouring, and also swimming is better in cold springs is the best means for diagnosing our current state of capillaries and blood vessels. The skin turns evenly pink (see pictures above) - a sign of their ideal condition.
Sauna and bath
Saunas and steam baths are the best “trainers” for heat resistance, and their main merit is forced heating of the body. This excellent remedy for high-quality cleaning of skin pores.
As in cases of contact with cold water, the reaction to overheating will be redness skin- cooled blood begins to flow through the vessels and capillaries to the surface of the body and internal organs. Active sweating will also be launched.
A bathhouse differs from a sauna in terms of air humidity. The higher the humidity, the lower the tolerable temperature. A sauna is a dry system and the skin in it will be moisturized only through sweating. It allows you to check the “quality” of skin permeability. Ideally her uniform active sweating. In a bathhouse, the appearance of moisture on the skin is largely influenced by the condensation of moist air.
In combination with bathing in cold natural springs (dousing), saunas and steam baths work wonders. They crack perfectly, clean the capillaries, cleanse the skin, removing water-soluble toxins along with sweat. This is one of the most powerful healing systems ever invented by mankind.
Starvation
Of course, using fasting for our purposes is like shooting mosquitoes with a cannon. But as an additional “bonus” from its main effect it is worthy of mention.
Long lasting perfectly cleans capillaries. After a couple of weeks without food, the quality of blood flow, according to numerous data, improves 3-4 times (!) due to clearing and improving the permeability of the channels. If the body’s strength to cope with blockages is not enough, freezing is felt during hunger. Predominantly anaerobic metabolism in tissues also manifests itself. If the “heating lines” are clean, the feeling of the internal “stove” will warm you up in any weather.
How can you tolerate the cold?
Fear of cold discomfort is the most difficult barrier to hardening. And although successfully overcoming it depends only on practice, you can still give a couple of tips.
At first it is unlikely that it will be possible to avoid a sharp acceleration of the heartbeat, shortness of breath and screams, but each time there will be much easier, and the sensations will gradually change to pleasant ones.
But there is still a small “secret” that helps many: it is important to learn to separate the feeling of “cold water” and “freezing” - they are not the same. Always keep in mind that It is impossible to freeze through short contacts with ice water! And what you feel is just a feeling cold temperature water, not frostbite! Which, having relaxed, let it pass through you while remaining aloof. You will definitely feel it, even if not right away.
Cleaned it? Let's secure it!
There is no point in cleaning if you do not reduce the flow of contaminants. The main reason for the slagging of our channels is reduced mobility and unnatural nutrition. The more physical education we have in our lives and the closer we are to the specific human diet, a raw food diet, the slower the clogging occurs. Also, a raw food diet has a high efficiency of energy production, and therefore the ability to thermoregulate.
It is also worth taking into account the environmental situation, the availability fresh air and quality drinking water. In some cases, these factors may be the most relevant.
It is better to eliminate the main causes of clogging of our internal “rivers” as early as possible; endless intensive cleansing quickly depletes the body.
And from the proposed methods, choose what is closer and more accessible to you. What will “grow” into your life faster is not as a short-term torment, but as a favorite pastime. Here, as elsewhere, you just have to start, and the fruits will not keep you waiting.
Total comments: 25
Great article. I have long wondered why, as a child, I could swim in the sea until my lips turned purple and not feel discomfort, but now the heat and cold are becoming unbearable for me. I hope my plan goes as it should and by the end of summer I will be a raw foodist
Gradual transition. For the first month, eat vegetarian cooked food, but one meal must be raw and mono. In the second month (August) there are already 2 raw meals. After two months, fast for 3 days, maybe more (depending on how long I can stand it), on water alone. After this, switch to a complete raw food diet.
At first I plan to eat something seasonal such as peppers and tomatoes. Since childhood, I have also loved white cabbage and kohlrabi cabbage. Since childhood, and even now at university, people sometimes call me a rabbit for my passion for raw cabbage. About 8 years ago I tried raw potatoes and liked it. Now, when my stomach hurts, I eat 2 pieces and everything goes away. So to speak, “my method” I recently tried cauliflower, also very tasty. That's what I plan to do at first. And around October, I will gradually begin to include fruits in my diet.
Great article, thanks!
My hands get very cold, even in the apartment (even more so on the street)
I really bathe in an ice bath and cold and hot shower I accept on occasion
from physical activity only Gym 1-2 times a week.
I will do exercises and a contrast shower in the morning.
I will do prakshalana and fasting for a couple of days
Yuri, there is such a question.
I have been taking contrast showers in the morning and evening for 2 months now.
I noticed that after this, during exercise, the muscles immediately turn red, blood rushes to them (this happened before, but much longer loads were needed for this)
Isn't this harmful?
Thank you!
Increases by 50-100% or more. The decay is especially intensifying. Protein breakdown products accumulate in the blood, a negative nitrogen balance is established and the protein minimum increases, and the breakdown of the body’s own proteins increases. During fever, protein oxidation accounts for about 30% of heat generation. Carbohydrate and fat metabolism also increases, which leads to depletion of the body's reserves. An increase in carbohydrate metabolism occurs due to the increased conversion of glycogen into glucose. Increased breakdown of proteins and leads to accumulation in the body large quantity products of intermediate metabolism.
Fever occurs either with an increase in heat generation or with a decrease in heat transfer. With fever they are disturbed physiological processes. An increase in heart rate occurs, which causes an increase in blood pressure, despite the fact that already at 39°C the capacity of blood vessels increases extremely due to their expansion, becomes more frequent, etc. These violations of physiological functions, as well as mental disorders (hallucinations, delusions) are caused by dysfunction of the nervous system. At a temperature of 40-41°C, delirium begins. At 43°C death occurs. In isolated cases, people died only at a temperature of 45°C.
When the body cools, physiological processes are also disrupted. When exposed to cold for a long time, after feeling cold and shivering, a feeling of warmth appears and then apathy due to blood flow to the skin and impaired brain function.
With general cooling of the body, its vital activity decreases, as the metabolism in the body and the need of tissues for oxygen decreases. Therefore, it is easier to tolerate a lack of oxygen. For example, the human brain retains the ability to live without blood flow at normal temperature for no more than 5-6 minutes, and when the body is cooled to 26-29 degrees, the brain suffers an insufficient blood supply for 15-20 minutes.
In humans, death, as a rule, occurs when the temperature drops below 32-33 degrees, and when the functions of the nervous system change medicinal substances– below 24 degrees. Only in isolated cases can people survive when their body temperature drops to 22.5 degrees.
Central nervous mechanism of metabolism and thermoregulation
Skin receptors play a decisive role in the reflex regulation of metabolism and body temperature.
The nervous system regulates not only the metabolism of the body with the outside world, but also the internal, intermediate metabolism interconnected with this exchange, determining the quantity and quality of substances consumed by each tissue and organ.
This is a corrective, trophic function of the nervous system, which is carried out along all efferent nerves (motor, secretory, vasomotor), since each of these nerves performs its function only due to changes in metabolism in the innervated organ.
Disturbances in the trophic function of the nervous system leave trace changes in nervous system, and therefore even weak repeated irritations of the nervous system (“second blow”) can again cause trophic disorders (“predisposition”) K. P. Golysheva and A. A. Vishnevsky, 1933).
Regulation of metabolism is carried out by the nervous system in two ways: a) directly by the influx of efferent impulses to organs and tissues and b) through hormones that enter the blood due to impulses from the nervous system to the glands internal secretion and act on nerve centers.
Especially great participation the lower medullary appendage (pituitary gland) is involved in the regulation of metabolism, thyroid, pancreas (its intrasecretory sections) and adrenal glands. The entry of hormones from these glands into the blood causes significant changes in protein, fat, carbohydrate, mineral and water metabolism.
The higher centers of the autonomic nervous system, which regulate metabolism and body temperature, are located in the frontal lobes cerebral hemispheres, in the limbic system (encircling gyrus), in the diencephalon (mainly in the subthalamic region and gray hillock), in the reticular formation of the brain stem and the spinal cord. From these centers, efferent nerve impulses are sent to the skeletal muscles, pituitary gland, adrenal glands, thyroid gland via the sympathetic nerves, and to the liver and other internal organs- sympathetic and parasympathetic. In phylogeny higher regulation trophic function passes to the cerebral hemispheres.
Changes in metabolism and thermoregulation in people have been proven under mental influences, emotions and mental disorders (V.M. Bekhterev) and under hypnotic suggestions in conditions of complete rest and absence of muscular work.
Various conditioned reflex stimuli and words as conditioned stimuli associated with muscle work cause in people an increase in oxygen consumption by 100-150% and an increase pulmonary ventilation 2 times compared to the state of muscle rest.
In a conditioned reflex way, as a result of the action of the entire situation of a sports competition or training, as well as a verbal command, the following are evoked: 1) a pre-start state, which occurs many hours and even days before the start of physical exercise, and 2) a starting state, which occurs from the moment one enters a sports environment. They are characterized by a shift in metabolism, an increase in O 2 consumption and CO 2 release, an increase in body temperature and changes in other body functions. In people, changes in metabolism and energy can also be caused by the action of words.
Dogs and rabbits were formed conditioned reflexes on increased breathing and a decrease in body temperature when overheated (A. N. Velikanov and E. I. Sinelnikov, 1926).
Violations and their causes in alphabetical order:
violation of the body's thermoregulation -
Thermoregulation disorders are disturbances in the constancy of body temperature caused by dysfunction of the central nervous system. Temperature homeostasis is one of the main functions of the hypothalamus, which contains specialized thermosensitive neurons.
Autonomic pathways begin from the hypothalamus, which, if necessary, can provide an increase in heat production, causing muscle tremors or dissipation of excess heat.
What diseases cause a violation of the body’s thermoregulation:
With damage to the hypothalamus, as well as those following from it to the brain stem or spinal cord pathways, thermoregulation disorders occur in the form of hyperthermia or hypothermia.
Heat transfer by the body to the external environment depends on temperature environment, on the amount of moisture (sweat) released by the body due to heat loss for evaporation, on the severity of the work performed and physical condition person.
At high air temperatures and radiation blood vessels The surfaces of the body expand, and blood, the main heat accumulator in the body, moves to the periphery (surface of the body).
Due to this redistribution of blood, heat transfer from the surface of the body increases significantly.
Disturbances in the body's thermoregulation can occur when the central or peripheral part of the thermoregulation system is damaged - hemorrhages or tumors in the hypothalamus, injuries accompanied by damage to the corresponding pathways, etc.
Violation of thermoregulation accompanies many systemic diseases, usually manifested by increased body temperature or fever.
An increase in body temperature is such a reliable indicator of the disease that thermometry has become the most commonly used procedure in the clinic.
Changes in temperature can be detected even in the absence of obvious febrility. They manifest themselves as redness, paleness, sweating, shivering, abnormal sensations of heat or cold, and may also consist of erratic fluctuations in body temperature within the normal range in patients on bed rest.
During physical work, the balance between heat production and heat transfer is temporarily disrupted, followed by rapid recovery normal temperature at rest due to prolonged activation of heat transfer mechanisms.
In fact, during prolonged physical activity, the dilation of skin blood vessels in response to an increase in the body's core temperature stops in order to maintain this temperature.
During fever, the adaptive ability decreases, since upon reaching a stable body temperature, heat production becomes equal to heat transfer, however, both are at a level higher than the initial one. Blood flow in the peripheral vessels of the skin plays a more important role in the regulation of heat production and heat transfer than sweating.
During a fever, the body temperature, determined by thermoreceptors, is low, so the body reacts to it as if it were cooling.
Shivering leads to an increase in heat production, and constriction of skin blood vessels leads to a decrease in heat transfer. These processes help explain the sensations of cold or chills that occur at the onset of fever. Conversely, when the cause of the fever is removed, the temperature drops to normal and the patient feels hot. Compensatory reactions in in this case are vasodilation of the skin, sweating and suppression of trembling.
At high ambient temperatures four clinical syndrome: Heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stress injury and heat stroke. Each of these conditions can be differentiated based on various clinical manifestations, however, there is much in common between them and these conditions can be considered as varieties of syndromes of the same origin.
The symptom complex of heat injury develops at high temperatures (more than 32°C) and high relative humidity (more than 60%). The most vulnerable are the elderly, people suffering from mental illness, alcoholism, taking antipsychotic, diuretic, anticholinergic drugs, as well as people living in rooms with poor ventilation. Especially many heat syndromes develop in the first days of heat, before acclimatization occurs.
Which doctors should you contact if there is a violation of the body’s thermoregulation:
Have you noticed a violation of the body's thermoregulation? Do you want to know more detailed information or do you need an inspection? You can make an appointment with a doctor– clinic Eurolab always at your service! The best doctors will examine you and study you external signs and will help you identify the disease by symptoms, advise you and provide necessary help. you also can call a doctor at home. Clinic Eurolab open for you around the clock.
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PATHOLOGY OF THERMOREGULATION. FEVER.
A person is able to maintain a constant body temperature when it fluctuates in the environment. This is ensured specialized thermoregulation system, which includes physical and chemical mechanisms. The functioning of the thermoregulation system can be disrupted under the influence of various pathogenic influences, as a result of which the body temperature deviates from the norm, and this can lead to disturbances in vital functions. Thermoregulation disorders are manifested by overheating ( hyperthermia) and hypothermia ( hypothermia).
HYPERTHERMIA
Hyperthermia is a violation of the body’s thermal balance, characterized by an increase in body temperature above normal values.
Distinguish exogenous And endogenous hyperthermia.
1. Exogenous hyperthermia occurs at high ambient temperatures (hot workshops in production), especially if heat transfer is simultaneously limited (warm clothing, high humidity, low air mobility). The development of hyperthermia is also facilitated by increased heat production, for example, during intense physical work. Some forms of exogenous hyperthermia can be acute and life-threatening. They received a special name - heatstroke and sunstroke.
2. Endogenous hyperthermia can occur with excessive prolonged psycho-emotional stress, with increased thyroid function.
In typical cases, hyperthermia develops in three stages.
1. Compensation stage. In it, despite the increase in ambient temperature, body temperature remains at a normal level (36.6-36.7 C). This is due to the activation of the thermoregulation system (heat transfer increases and heat production is limited).
2. It develops with further exposure to excessively high ambient temperatures or with violations of the thermoregulation system. During this period, there is a predominance of heat production over heat transfer, as a result of which body temperature begins to rise.
3. Stage of decompensation. As a result of inhibition of the thermoregulation center, a sharp limitation of all ways of heat release and an increase in heat production develops as a result of a temporary increase in oxidative processes in tissues. At this stage, the body temperature becomes the same as the ambient temperature. Depression of external respiration occurs, it becomes frequent, superficial or even periodic. Blood circulation is also disrupted - arterial hypotension, tachycardia, and suppression of heart rhythm develop. In severe cases, due to damage to these systems, hypoxia appears and convulsions occur. Patients lose consciousness, which is typical for hyperthermic coma.
Heatstroke - acute exogenous hyperthermia. Essentially it represents the third stage of hyperthermia, the stage of decompensation. Heat stroke usually occurs at high ambient temperatures, when heat transfer is sharply limited, for example, on the march among military personnel in the southern regions, among workers in hot shops. In this case, the first and second stages of hyperthermia do not appear, which is associated with a rapid disruption of thermoregulation. Body temperature rises to ambient temperature. External respiration is impaired, heart function weakens and blood pressure drops. Consciousness is lost.
Sunstroke. It is an acute form of local hyperthermia and occurs as a result of direct exposure to sunlight on the head. The brain and thermoregulation centers overheat, which leads to disruption of thermoregulation. Manifestations sunstroke similar to the manifestation of heat stroke.
HYPOTHERMIA
Hypothermia - uh This is a violation of the thermal balance, accompanied by a decrease in body temperature below normal values.
Distinguish exogenous And endogenous hypothermia.
1. Exogenous hypothermia. Occurs when the ambient temperature decreases (during the cold season, under the influence of cold water, etc.) The development of hypothermia is facilitated by alcohol intake, light clothing, and low physical activity.
2. Endogenous hypothermia. Occurs with prolonged immobilization, decreased function of the thyroid gland and adrenal cortex.
Hypothermia has three stages of development.
1. Compensation stage. In it, despite the low ambient temperature, body temperature is maintained at a normal level. This is achieved by limiting heat transfer; spasm of small blood vessels in the skin is of great importance. At the same time, there is an increase in heat production due to increased motor activity, contraction of smooth muscles of the skin (“goose bumps”), and increased metabolic processes in tissues.
2. Stage of relative compensation. Develops with further exposure to low environmental temperatures or with weakness of the thermoregulation system. At this stage, heat transfer (dilation of skin blood vessels) prevails over heat production, as a result of which body temperature begins to decrease.
3. Stage of decompensation. It is characterized by the development of hypoxia, which increases due to weakening of external respiration and depression of cardiac activity. All this leads to a decrease in metabolism and the formation of heat. A significant increase in heat transfer due to the expansion of skin microvessels and limitation of heat production leads to the fact that the body temperature becomes the same as the ambient temperature. Against the background of indifference to the environment, immobility, extreme physical weakness, bradycardia and falling blood pressure, rare shallow breathing causes deep sleep. If a person in this condition is not helped, he will die.
FEVER
Fever– a protective-adaptive reaction of the body that occurs in response to the action of pyrogenic stimuli and is expressed in the restructuring of thermoregulation to maintain a higher one. Than normal body temperature. It is manifested by a temporary increase in body temperature, regardless of the ambient temperature. Fever occurs in many diseases, but always occurs in a stereotypical manner, therefore it is classified as a typical pathological process.
Causes of fever
The causes of fever are varied and are divided into infectious and non-infectious.
2. Non-infectious factors– they are exogenous and endogenous proteins.
a) K exogenous protein substances include a variety of serums that are administered to obtain passive immunity for therapeutic purposes (antidiphtheria, antitetanus, etc.), and vaccines used to obtain active immunity against certain diseases. Non-infectious exogenous factors that cause fever include blood transfusions, snake venom, secretions of certain insects, etc.
b) Endogenous protein substances include the body’s own proteins that have changed properties as a result of injury, burns, ionizing radiation, hemorrhages in tissue, and tumor disintegration.
Stages and types of fever
Fever occurs in three stages.
1. Stage of temperature rise. During this stage, the temperature can increase quickly (over several tens of minutes) or slowly (over days, weeks).
2. Stage of relative temperature standing. The duration of this stage can vary and amount to several hours or even years. Based on the degree of maximum temperature rise during the standing stage, fever is divided into:
A) weak(subfebrile) – up to 38 0 C,
b) moderate(febrile) – 38.0-39.0 0 C,
V) high(pyretic) – 39.0-41.0 0 C,
G) very high(hyperpyretic) – above 41 0 C
3. Temperature drop stage. Temperature may drop quickly (a crisis) or slowly ( lysis).
With fever, the minimum temperature is usually observed in the morning (at about 6 o'clock) and the maximum in the evening (at about 18 o'clock).
According to the degree of daily fluctuations and some other features of temperature during fever, various types temperature curves. The type of temperature curve depends on the factor that caused the fever, and therefore the type of curve is important in the diagnosis of diseases, especially infectious ones. In addition, the type of temperature curve is determined by the properties of the body, its reactivity, and the person’s age.
Depending on the nature of the temperature curve, there are:
A) constant fever, in which daily temperature fluctuations do not exceed 1.0 0 C (lobar pneumonia, typhoid fever),
b) laxative (remitting) fever, with daily temperature fluctuations of 1.0-2.0 0 C (with pneumonia, tuberculosis),
V) intermittent (intermittent) fever, in which there are large temperature swings and the morning temperature drops to normal or even below it (malaria, tuberculosis),
G) exhausting (hectic) fever. With it, the body temperature reaches 41.0 0 C, its fluctuations are 3.0-5.0 0 C (sepsis),
d) perverted fever. It is characterized by a morning rise and evening drop in temperature,
e) returnable fever, which is characterized by periods of rising temperature lasting several days and short intervals of normal body temperature (relapsing fever).
The state of heat balance during fever.
During the development of fever, a change in the body's heat balance occurs, i.e. the ratio of heat transfer and heat production, which is also associated with the restructuring of the work of the hypothalamic thermoregulation centers under the influence of pyrogens on them. Features of the ratio of heat production and heat transfer depend on the stage of fever.
During the temperature rise stage, heat production exceeds heat transfer, resulting in an increase in body temperature.
During the stage of standing temperature, both heat production and heat transfer increase, as a result of which the body temperature remains constantly increased.
In the third stage of fever, heat loss usually increases sharply while heat production decreases. As a result, body temperature drops to normal.
Manifestations of fever
Disorders of the functions of organs and systems during fever depend on the characteristics of the pathogen, the nature of the disease and the degree of intoxication of the body.
On the part of the central nervous system, depression of higher nervous activity may be observed, headache, weakness, apathy, drowsiness. In some infectious diseases, a state of excitation predominates, brain disorders occur (delirium, hallucinations, loss of consciousness), which is a consequence of both the high body temperature itself and intoxication of the body.
An increase in temperature by 1.0 0 C is usually accompanied by an acceleration of heartbeat by 8-10 beats per minute. Due to tachycardia and an increase in stroke volume, the cardiac output increases. At the same time, there are infectious diseases in which the heart rate decreases during fever, for example, with typhoid fever.
Blood pressure at the onset of fever is slightly increased due to spasm of peripheral vessels. During a period of critical temperature drop, pressure can drop sharply and collapse will develop. Breathing slows down when the temperature rises; at the height of the fever, it becomes frequent and shallow. Appetite and saliva secretion decrease, the tongue becomes dry and coated, and the secretion of all digestive juices decreases. Evacuation of food from the stomach may be delayed, intestinal tone is disturbed, constipation occurs, fermentation and putrefaction processes intensify, and flatulence develops. All this leads to weight loss.
In many diseases, a negative nitrogen balance is detected due to the predominance of protein breakdown processes. In the first stage of fever, diuresis increases, in the second it decreases, and in the third, increased excretion of water occurs through sweat and the kidneys.
The importance of fever for the body
The negative role of fever is that high temperature can lead to dystrophic changes in organs and tissues, and profound functional disorders. During the course of an illness accompanied by severe intoxication, hyperthermia syndrome with loss of consciousness and convulsions may occur.
The positive role of fever is determined by the activation of many protective reactions: metabolic processes are enhanced; the functional activity of organs and tissues increases; leukocytosis and phagocytosis are activated; the production of antibodies is stimulated; interferon production increases, antitoxic and barrier function of the liver increases; the reproduction of a number of viruses and microbes is delayed.
Human thermoregulation is a set of extremely important mechanisms that maintain stability temperature regime organism under different environmental conditions. But why does a person need a constant body temperature so much, and what happens if it starts to fluctuate? How do thermoregulatory processes occur and what to do if the natural mechanism fails? More about all this below.
Man, like most mammals, is a homeothermic creature. Homeothermy is the body’s ability to ensure a constant temperature level, mainly through physiological and biochemical reactions.
Thermoregulation of the human body is an evolutionarily formed set of mechanisms that operate due to humoral (through the liquid medium) and nervous regulation, metabolism (metabolism) and energy metabolism. Various mechanisms have various ways and triggering conditions, so their activation depends on the time of day, the gender of the person, the number of years lived and even the position of the Earth in orbit.
Human heat map
Thermoregulation in the human body is carried out reflexively. Special systems, whose action is aimed at controlling temperature, regulate the intensity of heat release or absorption.
Human thermoregulation system
Maintaining the body temperature at a constant set level is carried out using two opposing mechanisms of thermoregulation of the human body - heat release and heat production.
Mechanism of heat production
The mechanism of heat production, or chemical thermoregulation of a person, is a process that contributes to an increase in body temperature. It occurs in all metabolisms, but mostly in muscle fibers, liver cells and brown fat cells. One way or another, all tissue structures participate in the production of heat. In every cell of the human body, oxidative processes occur that break down organic matter, during which some portion of the released energy is spent on heating the body, and the main amount is spent on the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate acid (ATP). This connection is a convenient form for storing, transporting and exploiting energy.
This is what an ATP molecule looks like
When the temperature drops, the rate of metabolic processes in the human body reflexively decreases, and vice versa. Chemical regulation is activated in cases where the physical component of heat exchange is not enough to maintain a normal temperature value.
The mechanism of heat production is activated when signals from cold receptors are received. This happens when the ambient temperature drops below the so-called “comfort zone”, which for a lightly dressed person lies in the temperature range from 17 to 21 degrees, and for naked man is approximately 27-28 degrees. It is worth noting that for each individual the “comfort zone” is determined individually; it can vary depending on health status, body weight, place of residence, time of year, etc.
To increase heat production in the body, thermogenesis mechanisms are activated. Among them are the following.
1. Contractive.
This mechanism is activated by muscle work, during which the decomposition of adenositriphphosphate is accelerated. When it splits, secondary heat is released, effectively warming the body.
In this case, muscle contractions occur involuntarily - upon receipt of impulses emanating from the cerebral cortex. As a result, a significant (up to five times) increase in heat production can be observed in the human body.
This is how the skin reacts to cold
With a slight decrease in temperature, the thermoregulatory tone increases, which is clearly manifested in the appearance of “goosebumps” on the skin and the raising of hairs.
Uncontrollable muscle contractions contractile thermogenesis is called cold shivering. It is possible to increase the body temperature with the help of muscle contractions consciously - by showing physical activity. Exercise stress helps increase heat production up to 15 times.
2. Non-contractive.
This type of thermogenesis can increase heat production almost threefold. It is based on the catabolism (breakdown) of fatty acids. This mechanism is regulated by the sympathetic nervous system and hormones secreted thyroid gland and adrenal medulla.
Heat transfer mechanism
The heat transfer mechanism, or the physical component of thermoregulation, is the process of ridding the body of excess heat. A constant temperature is maintained by heat removal through the skin (by conduction and convection), radiation and moisture removal.
Part of the heat transfer occurs due to the thermal conductivity of the skin and the layer of fatty tissue. The process is regulated largely by blood circulation. In this case, heat from human skin is transferred to solid objects when touched (conduction) or to the surrounding air (convection). Convection makes up a significant part of heat transfer - 25-30% of human heat is transferred to the air.
Radiation or emission is the transfer of human energy into space or onto surrounding objects that have a lower temperature. Up to half of human heat is lost with radiation.
And finally, the evaporation of moisture from the surface of the skin or from the respiratory organs, which accounts for 23-29% of heat loss. The more the body temperature exceeds the norm, the more actively the body cools itself through evaporation - the surface of the body becomes covered with sweat.
In the case when the ambient temperature significantly exceeds the internal indicator of the body, evaporation remains the only effective cooling mechanism; all others stop working. If the high external temperature is also accompanied by high humidity, which makes sweating (i.e., water evaporation) difficult, then a person can overheat and get heatstroke.
Let us consider the mechanisms of physical regulation of body temperature in more detail:
Perspiration
The essence of this type of heat transfer is that energy is directed into the environment by evaporating moisture from the skin and mucous membranes lining the respiratory tract.
This type of heat transfer is one of the most important, since, as already noted, it can continue in an environment with high temperature, provided that the percentage of air humidity is less than 100. This is explained by the fact that the higher the air humidity, the worse the water will evaporate.
An important condition for the effectiveness of perspiration is air circulation. Therefore, if a person wears clothes that are impermeable to air exchange, then after some time the sweat will lose the ability to evaporate, since the air humidity under the clothes will exceed 100%. This will cause overheating.
In the process of sweating, the human body's energy is spent breaking the molecular bonds of the liquid. Losing its molecular bonds, water takes on a gaseous state, and in the meantime, excess energy leaves the body.
Evaporation of water from mucous membranes respiratory tract and evaporation through the superficial tissue - the epithelium (even when the skin seems to be dry) is called imperceptible perspiration. Active work sweat glands, at which it occurs profuse sweating and heat transfer is called sensible perspiration.
Emission of electromagnetic waves
This method of heat transfer works due to the radiation of infrared electromagnetic waves. According to the laws of physics, any object whose temperature rises above the ambient temperature begins to give off heat through radiation.
Human infrared radiation
To prevent excessive heat loss in this way, mankind invented clothing. The fabric of clothing helps create a layer of air, the temperature of which takes on the value of body temperature. This reduces radiation.
The amount of heat dissipated by an object is proportional to the surface area of the radiation. This means that by changing your body position, you can regulate your heat output.
Conduction
Conduction or heat conduction occurs when a person touches any other object. But getting rid of excess heat can only occur if the object with which the person came into contact has a lower temperature.
It is important to remember that air with a low percentage of humidity and fat have a low thermal conductivity value, therefore they are heat insulators.
Convection
The essence of this method of heat transfer is the transfer of energy by air circulating around the body, provided that its temperature is lower than body temperature. Cool air at the moment of contact with the skin warms up and rushes upward, being replaced by a new dose of cold air located lower due to its high density.
Clothing plays an important role in preventing the body from losing too much heat during convection. It represents a barrier that slows down air circulation and thus convection.
Thermoregulation center
The center of human thermoregulation is located in the brain, namely in the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is part diencephalon, which includes many cells (about 30 nuclei). The functions of this formation are to maintain homeostasis (i.e., the body’s ability to self-regulate) and the activity of the neuroendocrine system.
One of the most important functions The hypothalamus is responsible for ensuring and controlling actions aimed at thermoregulating the body.
When performing this function in the center of thermoregulation in a person, the following processes occur:
- Peripheral and central thermoreceptors transmit information to the anterior hypothalamus.
- Depending on whether our body needs heating or cooling, the heat production center or the heat transfer center is activated.
When impulses are transmitted from cold receptors, the heat production center begins to function. It is located at the back of the hypothalamus. From the nuclei, impulses move through the sympathetic nervous system, increasing the rate of metabolic processes, constricting blood vessels, and activating skeletal muscles.
If the body begins to overheat, the heat transfer center begins to actively work. It is located in the nuclei of the anterior hypothalamus. The impulses that arise there are antagonists of the heat production mechanism. Under their influence, a person’s blood vessels dilate, sweating increases, and the body cools down.
Other parts of the central unequal system also take part in human thermoregulation, namely the cerebral cortex, limbic system and reticular formation.
The main function of the temperature center in the brain is to maintain a constant temperature regime. It is determined by the total value of the body’s temperature, when both mechanisms (heat production and heat transfer) are least active.
The internal secretion organs also play an important role in the thermoregulation of the human body. At low temperature The thyroid gland increases the production of hormones that accelerate metabolic processes. The adrenal glands have the ability to control heat loss through hormones that regulate oxidation processes.
Disorders of thermoregulation of the body: causes, symptoms and treatment
Thermoregulation disorders are sudden changes in body temperature or deviations from the norm of 36.6 degrees Celsius.
Temperature fluctuations can be caused by: external factors, and internal, for example, diseases.
Experts distinguish the following thermoregulation disorders:
- chills;
- chills with hyperkinesis (involuntary muscle contractions);
- hypothermia (hypothermia). Dedicated to hypothermia;
- hyperthermia (overheating of the body).
There are many reasons for thermoregulation disorders, the most common of which are listed below:
- Acquired or congenital defect of the hypothalamus (if this is the problem, then temperature changes may be accompanied by malfunctions gastrointestinal tract, respiratory organs, cardiovascular system).
- Climate change (as an external factor).
- Alcohol abuse.
- A consequence of the aging process.
- Mental disorders.
- Vegetative-vascular dystonia (on our website you can read about temperature changes during VSD).
Depending on the cause, temperature changes may be accompanied by various symptoms, frequent of which are fever, headache, loss of consciousness, malfunctions digestive system, accelerated breathing.
If there are disturbances in the body's temperature regulation, you should consult a neurologist. The basic principles of treating this problem are:
- taking medications that affect emotional condition patient (if the cause is mental disorders);
- taking medications that affect the activity of the central nervous system;
- taking medications that promote increased heat transfer in the blood vessels of the skin;
- general therapy, which includes: physical activity, hardening, healthy eating, taking vitamins.
