What mechanisms does the hypothalamus put in place to cool us down?

[ayeshshiddika11]

The hypothalamus uses thermoreceptors to obtain information about our body temperature. When it detects an increase in temperature, it triggers a series of mechanisms to keep our body at an optimal temperature (37ºC). The temperature at which the blood reaches the hypothalamus will be the main determinant of the body's response to thermal changes.

The hypothalamus has a double temperature regulation system:

The anterior portion, composed of parasympathetic centers, is responsible for dissipating heat. It is the region involved in lowering temperature.
The posterior portion, with sympathetic centers, preserves and maintains body temperature. It is the region involved in increasing temperature.
As the temperature increases, the anterior portion is activated and the posterior portion is inhibited.

Inhibition of this posterior portion produces: Decreased metabolism and decreased muscle tone .
Activation of the anterior portion of the hypothalamus triggers two mechanisms to decrease body temperature :
Perspiration : This is the most important cooling system available to our body. When it detects an increase in temperature, the hypothalamus triggers the production of sweat . This is produced by the sweat glands in the skin. Sweat, which is made up of water, mineral salts and toxins, is expelled through the pores of our skin. When sweat spain phone data evaporates from the surface of our skin, it releases excess heat and keeps our temperature constant. We evaporate between one and two litres of sweat every day, and this can reach up to 6 litres per day. In order to evaporate through sweating, the body needs to have water available (so we must be well hydrated) and a good functioning of the heart and cardiovascular system, to bring a large amount of blood to the skin and for the blood to provide the necessary water to the sweat glands.
Vasodilation : Capillaries are the blood vessels with the smallest diameter and are closest to the surface of the skin. The blood that circulates through them is therefore closer to the outside air than the blood in the rest of our blood vessels. When the capillary dilates, a greater quantity of blood is exposed to the air, which allows it to cool and our body temperature to be maintained.
Therefore, perspiration and vasodilation are the fundamental mechanisms that our body uses to maintain a constant temperature.

Effects of heat stroke
If we reach the point where our body is exposed to extreme heat, reaching an internal temperature of around 40 degrees, we can suffer heat stroke . This is characterized by two main phenomena: an increase in body temperature (hyperthermia) and effects on the nervous system . Hence, the first signs that our body collapses in the face of heat are a sensation of extreme heat combined with a general feeling of malaise.

Some of the characteristic symptoms of heat stroke are fatigue , weakness , confusion , headaches , nausea , vomiting , anxiety , dizziness , tachycardia and drowsiness . In some cases, although less frequent, jaundice (yellowish skin), muscle tenderness, hypotension, gastrointestinal bleeding, bruising and bleeding of the skin also occur. In extreme cases, these symptoms can lead to loss of consciousness (fainting), multiple organ failure and death.

Although heat stroke can affect anyone, those most susceptible are:

Sedentary, elderly or weak people exposed to extreme heat conditions for days.
Physically active people occasionally exposed to extreme heat situations due to excessive physical effort or activity.