Sunburn is caused by too much exposure to the sun. People who are exposed to a lot of sun are more likely to get skin cancer. Skin cell DNA can be damaged by too much UV Radiation. As the damage gets worse with each sunburn, the cells can grow out of control, which can lead to skin cancer.
When you are too hot, it can be difficult to think clearly. Mental performance can be affected by heat. There is a link between hot weather and reduced cognitive function. The blood-brain barrier breaks down at high temperatures. Inflammation in the brain is caused by the build up of proteins and ion in the brain.
Evidence shows that extreme heat can affect mental health. Substance abuse, mood and anxiety disorders, schizophrenia and dementia are some of the causes of more emergency hospital visits on hot days. There is a link between rising temperatures and higher suicides.
It's time to sweat.
The hypothalamus controls the body's temperature. It makes adjustments to keep it within a couple of degrees of 37C. The brain sends signals to the blood vessels when it senses that the body is warm. If the air is cooler than the body, the amount of blood at the surface of the skin will increase.
The body's sweat glands get to work if the air outside is hotter than inside. The cooling effect of sweat on the skin is due to the fact that it takes heat energy from the body to turn the liquid into liquid.
Sweating isn't a good system. An active person can sweat up to 10 litres of water a day if this isn't replaced. A dehydrated person can no longer sweat. If a body gets too hot, blood flow to the skin and sweating can both stop, which can cause brain damage.
Air quality can be adversely affected by hot weather. Air quality is affected by high temperatures and still air. Ozone is formed when pollutants from cars, power plants and industrial sources are exposed to sunlight.
Ground-level ozone is a factor in asthma morbidity and mortality. A 2008 study shows that ozone pollution will kill more people if the temperature goes up.
A high temperature is called hyperthermia. The mechanisms that regulate heat fail to cope.
The brain tells the muscles to slow down if the temperature goes up to 38C. The term heat exhaustion refers to this. There are a number of symptoms of heat exhaustion.
If body temperature is not lowered, heat exhaustion can occur. Medics should treat heatstroke as a medical emergency. Dry, hot skin and mental problems are symptoms. If left unattended, heatstroke can lead to death.
Blood vessels dilate as the body warms up, making a person feel unwell. When the body is deprived of normal blood flow, the gut can leak, blood vessels can be damaged, and cells can break down. The risk of a heart attack increases if the blood pressure is too low.
The medulla oblongata, the part of the brain that controls vital processes, tells the heart to increase the amount of blood pumped when it senses it is too hot. The heart rate increases when the blood pressure is lowered. The amount of blood circulating increases when it's hot. Blood flow can plummet when the heart is exhausted. The stress extreme heat puts on the cardiovascular system will be the main cause of death as global temperatures rise.
Latham is a journalist.
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