How Thermoregulation Worksby Marco

Table Of Contents Part 1

1. Thermoregulation2. The Hypothalamus3. How Does The Hypothalamus Work?4. What Is Homeostasis?5. How We Warm And Cool Our Body6. What Is Hypothermia? 7. Avoiding Hypothermia8. Symptoms of Hypothermia

Table Of Contents Part 2

9. Treatment for Hypothermia10. What is Hyperthermia?11. Avoiding Hyperthermia12. Symptoms for Hyperthermia13. Treatment for Hyperthermia

Thermoregulation Thermoregulation is the ability for an organism keep its body heat with in certain boundaries and keep that body heat at 98.6˚ Fahrenheit.

The hypothalamus controls your body temperature. It is a portion of the lower-middle brain that also controls hunger, thirst, and sleep.

The Hypothalamus

● If your body gets too cold, the hypothalamus activates warming mechanisms.

● If your body gets too warm, the hypothalamus activates cooling mechanisms.

● The warming and cooling work through feedback loops to maintain homeostasis.

How Does The Hypothalamus Work?

What Is Homeostasis?

Homeostasis is how humans and many other organisms maintain a stable internal environment. This includes maintaining pH, water balance, and body temperature. Normal body temperature is 98.6˚ Fahrenheit or 37˚ Celsius.

How We Warm and Cool Our Body

Hypothermia is when your body cools down so much that warming mechanisms won’t bring your body temperature back up to homeostasis.

You can get hypothermia from being in very cold weather or water for an extended period of time.

What Is Hypothermia?

Avoiding Hypothermia

● Dress warmly in layers● Base layer anything but cotton ● Outer layer should be waterproof and windproof like a

wind breaker● Wear hat or beanie, gloves, scarf, and warm pants to

protect large blood vessels● When you get too hot, remove the outer layer to prevent

sweating● Carry at least one thermal blanket in your survival kit

Symptoms of Hypothermia

● Shivering (If constant, that means the body can not warm itself)● Loss of coordination● Mumbling and slurring of speech● Difficulty forming thoughts● Confusion● Lack of energy● Unawareness of life threatening situation● Person is unconscious● Pulse Is weak● Shallow breathing

Treatment for Hypothermia

● Quickly find shelter and cover yourself with a blanket near a heat source

● Remove wet clothes immediately● Skin to skin contact under blanket● Give warm drinks, but nothing containing alcohol or

caffeine● Place warming packs on chest and groin area but not

on legs or arms

Hyperthermia is when you get too hot and you can get heatstroke, heat exhaustion, or heat cramps. Your body temperature is usually hyperthermic if it’s above 98.8˚ Fahrenheit.

What Is Hyperthermia?

Avoiding Hyperthermia

● Drink plenty of cold fluids● Wear one t-shirt made with thin fabric and

wear shorts too● Wear a hat that can shade you from the

sun’s rays

Symptoms of Hyperthermia● Dehydration● Confusion● Dizziness● Fainting● Fatigue● Headache● Nasea● Rapid heartbeat

Treatment for Hyperthermia

● Drink cold fluids● Sit in shade● Bathe in an ice-bath● Turn on fans

The End!

Questions?