Why heatwaves cause fatigue and irritability: Hormones hold the key

The discomfort many experience during heatwaves, including fatigue, irritability, headaches, and poor concentration, is not solely due to high temperatures but also how the body's hormones react to protect against overheating. Endocrine experts explain that the hormonal system plays a crucial role in maintaining body temperature and fluid balance.

During a heatwave, the body activates a series of protective measures. Hormones such as adrenaline and noradrenaline increase heart rate and blood pressure while improving blood flow to the skin, facilitating heat release. Cortisol, the stress hormone, helps restore energy by producing glucose and can raise blood pressure in cases of dehydration, aiding the body's adaptation. Vasopressin and aldosterone also become active, working to conserve fluids by promoting water and sodium retention, thus helping to maintain blood pressure and electrolyte balance.

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Cortisol can give us energy by producing glucose, and in cases of low blood pressure, when we sweat and dehydrate, it can increase blood pressure and help the body adapt.

While swelling is common in summer, it's not always a direct result of the body's dehydration defense. Dr. Vesna Dimitrijević Srećković notes that swelling is more frequent in individuals with higher body weight and elevated insulin levels, as insulin can bind water. The primary culprit behind most heatwave ailments, irritability, fatigue, and reduced concentration, is dehydration. This occurs due to high temperatures, sweating, and fluid loss. Therefore, maintaining adequate fluid intake and cooling the body are paramount to preventing heatstroke.

Individuals with chronic conditions, particularly diabetes and thyroid disorders, are most vulnerable. For diabetics, already elevated blood sugar levels increase the risk of dehydration. The article stresses that while the hormonal system works to protect the body, proactive measures like staying hydrated and cool are essential for everyone, especially those with pre-existing health issues, to navigate extreme heat safely.

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The main reason for all of this is dehydration, which comes from high temperature, sweating, and fluid loss.