Question

In 400-500 words discuss the effects of bathing on thermoregulation.

Include concepts of evaporation, radiation, convection, and conduction.

Answer 1

Before heading towards knowing the effect of bathing on thermoregulation it is necessary to know about some terms and terminology which may help to get some clear idea about the topic. EVAPORATION is the transfer of water out from the body in the vapors form. RADIATION is also one of the way to transfer of heat through radiation. CONVENTION is the losing heat from the body into the air. CONDUCTION is the transfer of heath from one body to another through physical contact.

The ways to reduce heat; EVAPORATION may lose heat either in sensible or insensible form. Surface area, vapor pressure and air velocity determines the affect of evaporation.

RADIATION: when sitting near cool objects, walls, tables, cabinets, without actually being in contact with them. The transfer of heat between solid surfaces that are not touching. Factors that affect heat change due to radiation are temperature gradient between the two surfaces, surface area of the solid surfaces and distance between solid surfaces.

CONDUCTION;when the person is naked or sitting on a cooler surface, such as table, scale, cold bed. The transfer of heat between two solid objects that are touching, is influenced by the size of the surface area in contact and the temperature gradient between surfaces.

CONVENTION: : when the person is exposed to cool surrounding air or to a draft from open doors, windows or fans, the transfer of heat from the person to air or liquid Thermoregulation is affected by the large surface area, air flow (drafts, ventilation systems, etc), and temperature gradient.

Human has good control over thermoregulation which is regulated by a definite regulatory system of the hypothalamus. It influences nerve impulses to maintain normal body temperature either by losing heat or gaining heat. Bathing also has some effect on maintaining body temperature. That's, why immediate bathing is avoided to newborns this, may drop the body temperature. Hot shower and cold shower both has their on benefit in terms of thermoregulation. Cold shower mainly used in hyperthermia to reduce body temperature, also reduces the inflammation, decrease muscle spasm, increase heart rate. Exposure to cold water causes the blood vessels on the surface of the skin to constrict. This diverts blood flow away from the surface of the skin. In fact, taking a cold shower after exercise may improve general hydration by cooling down the body.

Hot water shower reduces the stiffness of blood vessels and thus improves circulation. It also prevents shivering, chills and prevent reduction in body temperature. Therefore advice to give bath to the newborn in lukewarm water.

Water gives the sensation and impulses to the nerves that reach to hypothalamus and hypothalamus regulates the body temperature either losing or gaining heat via different methods discussed above. When water comes in contact with skin it loses or gaining heat via conduction, evaporates the vapors from the body during bathing and airwaves help in thermoregulation called convection.

As we have discussed Bathing not only helps in maintaing thermoregulation but also improves sleep, brain health, cardiovascular system and cleans the integumentary and removes microbes.

With this we can only conclude that water has effect on maintaining body temperature either lose the heat or gains the heat and maintains the core temperature of the body.