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Treating and Avoiding Heat Stroke


thermometer thumb Treating and Avoiding Heat Stroke Today in Minnesota, we had a heat advisory. In the afternoon, the heat index climbed to 108 degrees. It was absolutely miserable. You know it’s bad when your glasses fog as soon as you walk out of the house.

Since this information is available to you, use it. Get heat advisory alerts on your cell phone with Weather.com or a mobile application such as Weather Bug. If you know the weather will be an issue, you can make good choices for your daily activities.

The combination of heat and humidity can create conditions in which you may find it hard to exercise or just breath while stationary. The increase of air moisture reduces the amount of oxygen you receive with each breath. Therefore, you have to breathe harder in order to get the same amount of oxygen into your body.

The symptoms of heat distress are dizziness, fatigue, increased heart rate and breathing, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Left untreated, it could lead to serious health issues.

It is essential to restore your body temperature to its proper level. Cool water and ice can be lifesavers. You can help yourself cool off by applying either to your wrists, back of your neck, armpits, or groin.

The best solution is prevention. Know when the temperature will create stressful conditions. Maybe that is the day you can catch up on your housework or extra reading.

Photo by jprole

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Protect Your Eyes


sunglasseseyeprotection thumb Protect Your Eyes You are probably well aware of the importance of wearing sunscreens. They protect you from the harmful UVA and UVB rays which can cause aging, sunburns, and wrinkles. However, have you given thought about how to protect your eyes?

When you are out in the sun, your eyes are experiencing the same stress. That is why sunglasses are so important. They can protect your eyes from ultraviolet rays in addition to the protection afforded by your contacts, if you use them.

Your sight is too important to treat lightly. Whenever you are outside, wear sunglasses. If anything, they will prevent the wrinkles you might get from squinting.

Photo by lusi

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Slather on the Sunscreen!


sunlight thumb Slather on the Sunscreen! This week’s observation marks a heads-up that we probably all need, now that summer is upon us. Welcome to National Sun Safety Week!

My father had an awful sunburn just after he got married. It was so bad that he couldn’t lay on his back for a week. I have had nothing of that sort, but I have had a few very bad burns. Most of my bad burns have been while I was on the water.

Water is a reflective surface which intensifies the sun’s rays, decreasing your exposure time. Curiously, certain blood pressure medications such as diuretics can increase your risk from exposure, making it important for you to know all the possible side effects and risks from taking prescription medications. In addition to blood pressure meds, birth control pills also increase your risk.

Sun Safety Week reminds you to wear sunscreen and not to ignore the effects of UVA and UVB rays. It doesn’t take a lot to get out of the sun periodically or wear a hat. If the health effects are motivation enough, consider the effects on your face. Do you really want all those wrinkles?

Photo by fangol

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