When you think of a heat wave, the first thing to run through your mind is probably extreme laziness. But did you know that high heat also affects your digestive system? As temperatures rise beyond a certain limit, plenty of people start to complain about incidences of diarrhea.
And while it is easy to attribute this to food and infections, more and more evidence points towards heat causing digestive stress. In this post, we take a look at the relationship between heat and digestive health and some tips on how you can avoid diarrhea during those hot summers. Let's dive in!
Understanding the Body’s Response to Extreme Heat
Whenever your body is exposed to high heat, it works extra hard to maintain a constant internal temperature. The primary way the body attempts to do this is through sweating. But there is a downside: the body will lose important fluids when it sweats.
If you don’t replenish lost fluids, your body can quickly experience dehydration, which will not just cause fatigue and dizziness but also affect your normal digestive system.
Furthermore, when the temperatures are high, our bodies also lose important electrolytes like sodium, magnesium, and potassium. They play an important role in balancing out the fluids both inside and outside the body's cells. If there is an imbalance of such electrolytes, you might begin to experience muscle spasms, including in the intestines, which will disrupt the bowel movements and result in loose stools.
But that is not all. Exposure to high temperatures for a long time may also cause heat exhaustion and even heat stroke. Heat exhaustion can result in symptoms like vomiting, nausea, and even diarrhea as a result of the body's systems being under stress. The digestive system may have a hard time absorbing water, which thus causes loose stools.
Plus, high temperatures might also lower appetite, which could cause some people to miss meals or eat poorly. Add in the dehydration factor, and you begin to see how this might lower the body’s ability to process food efficiently.
So, while diarrhea might not seem like it’s a direct effect of high temperatures, it can result from the body's exertion from the heat. Understanding this is the first step towards managing the situation.
The Link Between Heat, Dehydration, and Digestive Issues
It is simple to overlook how the digestive system is closely connected to hydration and high temperatures. Once your body experiences stress from high temperatures, it will immediately look to shift priorities, such as directing blood flow away from the digestive system to the skin to help it cool down. This can result in impaired digestive function and inefficient food absorption.
Why does this happen?
Dehydration plays a huge role in how the digestive system reacts to high temperatures. Remember that water is highly essential for breaking down the food we eat. It helps to not just transport nutrients but also ensure smooth movement of stool through the digestive tract.
Without water, there is a slowing down of digestion and an irritation of the gut lining, which can lead to diarrhea and even constipation.
The problem is made worse when there is an imbalance of electrolytes due to excessive sweating. With low levels of potassium, magnesium, and sodium, there is abnormal gut motility, bloating, cramps, and even loose stool.
The body’s homeostasis is also affected by heat. It is the internal balance that ensures that everything in the body functions normally. For young children, older adults, or people who have previous issues with their digestive tract then heat can quickly trigger digestive problems.
Hot days will also often lead to lifestyle changes such as consuming more cold, raw foods and perishable foods, which might have bacterial contamination.
Simply put, it is not the high temperatures that cause diarrhea, but heat waves do create the perfect environment for things like dehydration, stress, and electrolyte loss.
When to Seek Medical Help
Sometimes mild digestive issues will clear on their own, but there are times when they will not, which will require medical attention. If, for instance, the diarrhea lasts for more than two days and you notice that you have dizziness, laziness, sunken eyes, and dry mouth, then it is probably time you saw a doctor.
You might also want to keep a keen eye for signs of heat stroke, increased heart rate, concussions, and high body temperatures. These are often signs of a medical emergency.
Tips for Staying Cool During Heatwaves
High temperatures might bring with them heat-related illnesses, including issues like diarrhea. Finding a way to keep cool and hydrated is a great way to maintain overall health. Let’s look at some tips you can use to beat the heat and remain cool and healthy.
1. Drink Plenty of Fluids
Remaining hydrated is super important, but plain water simply might not be enough since, as you sweat, you’ll be losing important electrolytes. You might want to take electrolyte-rich fluids such as sports drinks or even coconut water.
If you prefer to go the natural way, you might want to add a pinch of salt or squeeze a piece of lemon into your water. Finally, look to sip on electrolyte-rich drinks throughout the day instead of only when you are feeling thirsty.
2. Use a Portable Cooling Device
You can find modern solutions, including portable fans and even misting devices, which can help offer relief from the heat wave. They come in handy, especially when you are camping, hiking, or traveling outdoors. And to help power them, you might want to consider a portable power station. Such stations are built to be rechargeable and are highly convenient in that they are both compact and efficient. These are a game changer when looking to spend time outdoors away from power outlets during a heat wave, such as on camping trips or road trips.
3. Dress for the Weather
Choose clothes made of breathable fabric and ensure they are light and loose-fitting. As far as colors go, keep in mind that light clothes will help reflect light and, unlike dark clothes, which will absorb it, help you remain cool.
Pick a hat with a wide brim and sunglasses to help block UV rays and offer protection.
4. Avoid Peak Sun Hours
Try and avoid outdoor activities and generally being outside during the hottest parts of the day, and instead choose early mornings or late evenings when the sun is not very hot. If you must be outside during hot times of the day, use sunscreen and take regular breaks or seek shade.
5. Cool Your Environment
Do whatever you can to block out the sun's rays and heat during those hot parts of the day, such as closing the curtains and the blinds. Turn on the fans and place them in strategic locations to circulate the air. To help cool the air even further, you might want to consider placing ice in front of the air.
Also, consider taking cool showers or placing your feet in cold water to help lower your core temperature.
6. Eat Light and Fresh
Heavy meals will only work to increase your body's internal temperature as it digests the food. Instead, go for water-dense fruits that are also simple to digest, such as fruits, salads, and vegetables. Stay away from spicy meals, which will only make digestive issues worse.
By being aware of your body's needs and remaining cool and hydrated, you can significantly lower the risk of health issues caused by high temperatures.
Portable Power and Cooling Devices
During the heat waves, you may need more than just hydration and shade to keep cool. Whenever you are facing a power outage or are off-grid, you will need some type of cooling device that will invariably need power, and that is where portable power stations come in. They will help you keep your cooling gear running no matter the location.
For the outdoor enthusiast, they are a great addition to your camping gear, hiking, and even road trips. From running fans and mini coolers to medical devices and phones and laptops, portable power stations can easily be recharged, are easy to transport, and are highly versatile. Some are solar compatible, which makes them an eco-friendly choice. Let's take a look at two very cool examples.
BLUETTI AC180 Portable Power Station
For those looking for a powerful power backup solution in a compact package, check out the BLUETTI AC180 portable power station. Thanks to its high-capacity 1800 W AC output, 1152 Wh capacity, and 11 charging ports, which include USB, AC, and DC ports, you can keep your cooling equipment running for hours.
One of its main advantages, however, is its fast charging, allowing you to each 80% in mere 45 minutes. And its simple, user-friendly interface means that you can keep tabs on the charge fast and easily.
Below is a table showing different small devices and their respective runtimes when powered by the BLUETTI AC180.
| Device | Average Wattage | AC180 Runtime in Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Small USB Desk Fan | 10W | 35.25 Hrs |
| Mid-Sized Fan | 50W | 13.55 Hrs |
| Evaporative Coolers | 100W | 7.66 Hrs |
| Misting Fans | 100W | 7.66 Hrs |
| Portable Air Conditioners | 1500W | 0.58 Hrs |
| Neck Fans | 5W | 44.06 Hrs |
| Electric Coolers | 50W | 13.55 Hrs |
BLUETTI Elite 200 V2 Portable Power Station
If you need even more power to run a large fan or a cooling device for an extended period, then you might want to check out the Elite 200 V2 Portable Power Station. It offers great performance with a 2073 Wh capacity and 2600 W of output. It features a longer battery life and higher capacity. It also features a more robust build. Not forgetting that you can charge 9 different devices simultaneously, thanks to its charging ports.
Below is a table showing different small devices and their respective runtimes when powered by the BLUETTI Elite 200 V2.
| Devices | Average Wattages | Elite 200 V2 Runtime in Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Window Air Conditioner | 1500W | 1.06 Hrs |
| Split System Air Conditioner | 1500W | 1.06 Hrs |
| Central Air Conditioner System | 5000W | 0.32 Hrs |
| High-Powered Industrial Fans | 500W | 3.17 Hrs |
| Portable Air Coolers | 300W | 5.3 Hrs |
| Dehumidifiers | 500W | 3.17 Hrs |
| Ice Makers | 200W | 7.55 Hrs |
Final Notes
During times of extreme heat, remaining safe isn’t just about avoiding the sun; it's also about remaining healthy by understanding how the heat will affect your digestive tract. By prioritizing electrolyte-rich fluids and staying hydrated as well as staying cool with a combination of cooling devices and portable power stations, you can remain safe and make the most of the summertime.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a healthcare provider if you experience severe symptoms.
