Importance of efficient thermoregulation & human physiology

Sponsored Article by Medical Guardian Pte Ltd

Phase change material is the technology that has seen application from electronics to material science for building construction to sports’ wear. This technology provides the heat differentiation mechanism which looks to dissipate heat efficiently & quickly.

In healthcare, heat is seen from the perspective of the metabolism of a living organism. Where there is life there is heat being generated as one of many bi-products of a reactive process or from combustion of hydrocarbons, or both.

Living cells are extremely heat sensitive. A slight change in temperature may mean the resultant end product of metabolism is a useful element required by the body for repair & regeneration or a denatured stand of protein which then becomes toxic. Thus, thermo-regulation disruption from an internal or an external source is an extremely crucial factor
that cannot be overlooked.

Heat changes the pH in the biochemistry of cells where the optimum lies in a very narrow band leaning towards being slightly alkaline. Metabolic activities are the internal influences that changes the pH & influences cell physiology continually. Physical every day activities too, impact heavily on the way that heat generated affects our bodily functions.

The hypothalamus in the brain controls heat regulation. It is this area of brain which also controls the many physiological processes that ensures life continues to flourish or the
cascade of dysfunction, which builds over time, to end in death.

Activities like fire-fighting have seen much development in the phase change materials being used in order to ensure that body chemistry of those serving are not un-
necessarily, unduly affected for best performance.

In sports, heat exchange determines how well an athlete performs from the efficient exchange of ATP to energy or to the detriment when lactic acid builds up in muscles. Thus, given the advancement in heat science, all the products tailored for sports today have efficient heat exchange coefficient as a significant factor high on its’ list of considerations.

In healthcare, this same consideration of efficient heat exchange needs much more emphasis especially in the area of gerontology, geriatrics & that in the treatment of chronic disorders. Inflammation, whether acute or chronic, contributes significantly towards the damage to the thermo-regulatory mechanisms in the brain when left un-checked.

Chronic inflammatory process is the precursor to the many neurodegenerative diseases such as strokes, hypertension, cancers, diabetes etc. where ultimately the internal cell environment becomes acidic & hostile to cell viability. Inflammation is a common underlining factor found within all those who are aged & ageing. The fundamentals behind staying healthy boils down largely to ones’ ability of managing that low grade chronic inflammatory process well.

The importance of the Cool ‘It, while it is primarily designed to sit under helmets for those within the HSE & related industries, the thermo-cooling mechanism can be equally applied to the healthcare industry. Relevant to hospitals, care homes etc. as thermo-regulation is one of the biggest challenges in ensuring the overall wellbeing of patients in care.

Cool ‘It is activated by sweat & water to provide a reduction in heat build-up in a critical part of the body. i.e. the head as the brain is highly sensitive to heat. Thus, thermo-regulation of the brain is highly essential as this affects the performance & functions to the rest of the body.

As 30% of ones’ body heat gets dissipated from the head alone, wearing a helmet will always feel uncomfortably warm. Helmets are the absolute essential gear in HSE type industries & in sports or bike riding activities for protecting the head. Helmets are always constructed as a solid shell. Lined with padding to absorb shock waves on impact, all these materials in the construction of helmets are neither made permeable nor porous.

Cool ‘It, made with the phase change material incorporated into the lining of the cap provides the mechanism to lower body temperature significantly when worn inside helmets. Cool’It being washable is a big plus for hygiene focus.

HSE as an industry, with its primary focus on safety, Cool’It is the enhancement accessory that is needed to complete its’ overall gear package.