By Joycelyne Fadojutimi
Dr. Julie Lundy introduced herself and told her Healthy Women audience that her most important job is being a mother to her two very young boys. The second most important is being a doctor.
She reminded them of recent heat-related tragedies – last month, a 2-year old girl died after being left in a car for several hours; this month a 75-year old male was admitted to the hospital in critical condition with a temperature of 104 degrees. All these incidents remind us the summer is here with blazing temperatures.
Lundy says heat illness occurs when a person’s body cannot compensate and cool properly – this leads to extremely high body temperatures.
Infants and children, the elderly, people with chronic medical conditions and those who work outside are most vulnerable.
Furthermore, heat exhaustion, a type of heat illness can develop over several days. Signs of heat exhaustion include muscle cramps, tiredness, feeling weak and dizzy, headache, nausea and vomiting as well as fainting. In the case of heat exhaustion, Lundy said to get out of the heat, rest, take cool showers, hydrate with fluids like Gatorade and other sports drinks to replace electrolytes
Another example of heat illness is heat stroke. Heat stroke is a rapid rise in body temperature – above 105° F that results in headache, rapid breathing, bleeding, dizziness, nausea, Cialis confusion, seizures and unconsciousness. Heat stroke can prove fatal
What to do if you suspect heat stroke
Call 911 or get the person to the hospital immediately. Also, move the individual to shade or indoors, rapidly cool them off and do not give anything to drink. Just incase they begin to twitch, or have seizure; Lundy said to turn them on the side and protect the head. Additionally, do not try to bring fever down as this would not help at all.
Most people would agree with Lundy that air conditioning is our friend. does cialis make you last longer “Use it,” she said. What’s more, to prevent heat stroke drink plenty of fluids, wear lightweight clothing and avoid being outside in the middle of the day.
According to Lundy, heat related illness can be avoided. “Do not leave children in the car for any reason even if the windows are cracked down,” she said. “Check on the elderly very often.”
Sunlight and skin cancer
Speaking of Vitamin D, Lundy said Texans get enough sunlight without sun baths. If you need more vitamin D, take a supplement. There are more than 1 million new cases of skin cancer diagnosed in the United States every year. According to Lundy, the incidence of melanoma is continuing to rise where one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their life time.
However, you may prevent skin cancer if you take the necessary precautions. When it comes to ultraviolet radiation, the most dangerous is UVA and UVB. Both attack the skin, bringing premature aging, cataracts and skin cancer. Protecting exposed skin is very important and that will include applying the right sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before you go out and re-applying every 2 hrs said Lundy.
In addition, do not forget to apply sunscreen on the lips and ear lobes. Also, wear protective clothing with long sleeves and pants – tightly woven darker colored fabrics block more rays. Remember to wear a wide brim hat and sun glasses when outside.
