Summer time and UV protection

July is UV protection month.  As people flock to pools, rivers and beaches in search of summertime fun, we need to remember our UV protection. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 6 Summertime UV protection strategies are important: 

1.  Use the shade wisely during the hot, midday hours.   When talking about UV protection, we are protecting ourselves from skin cancer dangers.  Using the shade of an umbrella, tree or shelter, we can decrease the danger.  However, the experts recommend we also use sunscreen and protective clothing to protect ourselves.

2.  Wear appropriate clothes to protect ourselves from UV rays.  How can I get a tan wearing clothes?  You don’t but you decrease your chances of skin cancer.  According to the CDC report, a typical dry t-shirt gives us SPF of less than 15.  A wet t-shirt gives even less sun protection.  That means we are getting sun when we don’t realize it.   Sun protective clothing can be purchased.  (REI calls it UPF –ultraviolet protection factor and the higher the number the more protection.)   The best sun protective type fabric is tightly woven fabric made into loosely-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants.   More information can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/prevention.htm

Summer heat related illness--heat stroke

Heat Stroke occurs when the person goes past heat exhaustion and his body loses the ability to cool itself and overheats.  Heat stroke is very dangerous.  The person no long can sweat to cool and his body temperature rises to dangerous levels (up to 106) quickly (within 10-15 minutes). 

Symptoms of heat stroke:  may be profuse sweating which probably decreases and the person’s body becomes hot and dry, the person may hallucinate, become confused and/or dizzy,  may slur his speech.  The person may have a major throbbing headache and he may deal with chills while his body temperature climbs.

Heat stroke is the most serious heat illness and requires quick treatment:  call 911 for help.  While emergency help is coming, move the person to a cool shaded area and cool the person my applying cool water to him and his clothes.  More information about heat illnesses can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/

Summer time--heat exhaustion

Summer heat can make us ill.  What’s the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke?           

Heat exhaustion occurs when a person loses too much body fluids (both water and salt) through sweating.  Heat exhaustion can affect anyone out in the heat and humidity.  Some health factors increase a person’s risk of heat exhaustion:  being elderly, working in a hot environment and having high blood pressure.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion:  sweating heavily, feeling weak and exhausted, becoming confused and dizzy, feeling nauseated, having clammy, moist skin, a pale or flushed appearance, muscle cramps, fast and shallow breathing.  As the person becomes heat exhausted, his body temperature may rise. 

Treatment for heat exhaustion includes having the person “rest in a cool, shaded or air-conditioned area…drink plenty of water or other cool, nonalcoholic beverages…and take a cool shower, bath or sponge bath.”  CDC.gov, Heat Stress, http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/

More next time about the dangerous heat stroke.

Summer heat related illness--how to protect those at risk

Summer continues its relentless heat.  How can we protect those at risk?

Remember to watch out for people who are at risk for heat-illness:  children, the elderly, people with chronic medical conditions (and pets).  They should never be left in cars.   The interior of a vehicle can heat up very quickly when the sun is shining on it.  For example, interior temperatures of a car with windows cracked open can raise almost 20^oF in the first 10 minutes.  The CDC gives this good suggestion:  “to remind yourself that a child is in the car, keep a stuffed animal in the car seat.  When the child is buckled in, place the stuffed animal in the front with the driver.  When leaving your car, check to be sure everyone is out of the car.  Do not overlook any children who have fallen asleep in the car.”   More information can be found at http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heat_guide.asp

Another excellent article from Yahoo Health gives information about keeping children safe from the heat at http://health.yahoo.net/experts/healthykidshealthyfamily/keeping-them-cool-heat

Summer heat related illness

Summer hit us early and continues at full blast.  Are you protecting yourself and your loved ones from the dehydration and serious heat related illnesses. 

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) gives this information:  “Getting too hot can make you sick…Heat exposure can even kill you; it caused 8015 deaths in the United States from 1979 to 2003.” How does a person keep cool when working in the hot weather?  

If possible, stay in an air conditioned environment.  Steps you can take to protect yourself from becoming overheated includes drinking plenty of liquids (non-caffeine and non-alcoholic are best fluid replacements), replacing salt and minerals (sports drinks replace salt and minerals we lose when sweating), and pacing yourself (take breaks in a cooler environment if possible).  People who work out in the weather need to protect their skin by using sunscreen and light-weight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing including a wide-brimmed hat.  You see many construction workers starting very early in the morning so their day ends before the hottest heat and highest humidity. If possible, have a buddy working with you during the heat and watch out for each other’s health.  For more information, http://www.cdc.gov/Features/ExtremeHeat/?source=govdelivery

Happy July 4th

“Patriotism is not so much protecting the land of our fathers as preserving the land of our children.” Jose Ortega y Garret, Quotable Quotes, Pleasantville, NY:  Reader’s Digest Association, 1997), 189.

Happy July 4th 

Tips to Prevent Traveler's Diarrhea

We knew the water available to us in Alaska and Canada would be safe to drink.  We had no problems.  However, there are many countries in the world that do not have clean, safe tap water to drink. 
If you are traveling to a country where clean water isn’t available, what can you do to protect yourself from traveler’s diarrhea?  Avoid tap water for brushing your teeth and drinking.  (I found it helpful to hold bottled water in one hand while I was brushing my teeth.  By doing so, I could not automatically  turn on the faucet and rinse my toothbrush in unclean water.  That’s such a habit.)  Don’t use ice unless you know it’s made from purified water.  Check that the bottled water seal is intact (not refilled with questionable water.)  Look for “pasteurized” milk and dairy products including ice cream.  Pasteurized dairy products should be safe as it’s been heated to kill germs.  Avoid fresh salads with leafy vegetables.  Be suspicious of all fresh fruits and vegetables which you can’t peel.  Don’t eat raw or half-cooked (rare) meat and seafood.  Don’t buy food from street vendors.  More information can be found at Health Day.com, http://consumer.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=665759