A study reveals that the body’s ability to regulate its temperature would be affected by certain treatments for chronic diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular or neurodegenerative diseases, in the event of high heat.
- Some chronic disease treatments impact the body’s thermoregulation.
- They increase blood flow and disrupt perspiration.
- Nevertheless, even if a patient is affected by this phenomenon, he should not stop his treatment but rather consult his doctor.
While certain regions of France are going through an episode of heat wave, researchers have looked into the question of the thermoregulation of the human body, i.e. the mechanisms allowing the body to maintain its internal temperature within normal limits (about 37 degrees).
More specifically, they studied the impact of certain treatments on the body’s ability to evacuate heat and maintain an optimal temperature. Their work has been published in the journal Pharmacological Reviews.
Chronic disease: treatments impact the regulation of body temperature
“Rising global temperatures due to climate change pose a significant health challenge for patients who depend on medication and care for their long-term health,” explains Jericho Wee, one of the authors of this study, in a communicated.
During their work, the scientists were interested in the treatment of several chronic pathologies such as cancer (chemotherapy), cardiovascular diseases (anticoagulants, drugs against hypertension), Parkinson’s disease, dementia and diabetes.
In all humans, the evacuation of heat from the body takes place through the skin, according to two mechanisms, either by simple diffusion, from the surface of the skin to the environment – a phenomenon which can be increased by an increase in blood flow – or by perspiration. According to the results of the study, in hot weather, the treatments of these chronic pathologies can impact the thermoregulatory capacity of the human body, by altering these two mechanisms of heat regulation, that is to say by increasing blood flow and by deregulating perspiration.
Do not stop your treatments, even in very hot weather
In detail, patients treated for cancer have reported symptoms of hot flashes, dysregulated sweating and an increase in their body temperature. For those with type 1 diabetes, scientists have found that insulin – treatment to control blood sugar – alter the body’s ability to properly regulate heat.
“[Ces travaux] emphasize the importance of studying the mechanisms of altered thermoregulation in people with diabetes and [maladies chroniques] to prevent the [conséquences liées] the heat”, indicates Assoc Prof Jason Lee, another author of this study, who believe that the actors of the research “should focus their efforts (…) on improving drug prescribing guidelines and safeguarding the health of those who need it, even in hot weather.”
For all the pathologies studied by the researchers, the continuation of the treatment is vital for the patients. In case of high temperatures, if the latter notice an impact on the thermoregulation of their body, “this never justifies stopping a treatment on its own initiative, nor even reducing it or interrupting it for a few days, warns health insurance. It is up to the attending physician to assess the situation on a case-by-case basis.”
