What Causes the Heat Seen in an Infrared Image?
When an infrared photo is captured of the skin emissions, it will show heat and cold patterns. Skin temperature may be influenced by many factors, both physical and physiological. The pattern of temperature distribution across the body results from five major possibilitites. 1. Local skin blood flow. The autonomic nervous system is in charge of the blood flow in capillaries, arterioles and venules. This system is called autonomic because it is out of our conscious control. It has two branches. The sympathetic branch makes us respond to perceived threats or stresses by increasing heat rate, respiration and decreasing blood supply to the skin and digestion. The parasympathetic nervous system nurtures our digestive tract and a sense of calm while increasing blood supply to the skin. Infrared imaging shows the hot and cold skin patterns that occur when the autonomic nervous system is healthy or damaged from radiation, infections, toxins, stress, shock, and/or nutritional depletion. Infrare
