2023-08-18 12:48:31
August 18, 2023
In periods of high heat, staying well hydrated appears to be one of the main tips for prevention. But what does it mean to “stay well hydrated”? Certain behaviors seem to be counterproductive.
When exposed to heat, the human body sets up the so-called “thermoregulation” system allowing it to compensate for the increase in external temperature and to remain at 37°. This is mainly due to sweat.
But to compensate for the loss of water, and thus avoid dehydration, we must drink in sufficient quantity, without waiting to be thirsty. However, in terms of hydration, certain attitudes can turn out to be counter-productive… even dangerous.
Drink iced?
When it is very hot, one of the first reflexes is to drink the coldest drink possible in order to obtain an immediate feeling of freshness. However, if this sensation is pleasant, it seems that it sends the wrong message to the body, telling it to reduce the process of thermoregulation. Also, a very cold drink can cause the blood vessels around the stomach to constrict, slowing digestion and possibly causing stomach cramps.
Should we drink hot during a heat wave? This idea comes from the fact that the Bedouins would consume hot tea in the desert in order to regulate their body temperature. The idea here is to make the body sweat more in order to regulate its temperature. But the drained water needs to be replaced. The risk of dehydration is then real if this is not the case.
The best behavior would therefore be to drink cool (but not cold) in order to guarantee better hydration.
Drink a lot (too much)?
Another prerogative in times of high heat: drink without waiting to feel thirsty. But the fact of drinking a lot of water can have harmful effects in certain fragile populations. The risk of hyponatremia is indeed real. This corresponds to a decrease in the concentration of sodium in the blood. To a sometimes lethal point. She is “the consequence of an excessive intake of water compared to sodium (salt) or an excess of loss of salt compared to elimination in water”, explains the Ministry of Health. It mainly concerns the elderly because perspiration is often impaired or even absent from a certain age, patients with chronic diseases (kidney failure, heart failure, hepatic failure, respiratory failure, endocrine problems – thyroid, diabetes, etc. -, cancers, neuropsychiatric disorders, etc.) and patients taking certain medications such as diuretics and psychotropics.
For those affected, it is important to follow a few rules in the event of high temperatures:
- Do not exceed an intake of 1.5 liters of water per day in addition to foods already rich in water. This is not valid for the general population who will have to continue to drink a lot more to avoid dehydration;
- Adapt drug treatments, having first taken advice from your doctor or pharmacist;
- Absolutely accompany the intake of drinks with a varied diet, dividing meals if necessary, to maintain a sufficient salt intake for the body (bread, soups, etc.);
- Provide “artificial perspiration” (regularly wet the skin and ventilate it). Objective, to avoid overheating of the body that natural perspiration keeps at 37°C. And this without having to consume too much water.
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