Tag Archives: sun over exposure prevention

Warning: Heat Exhaustion and Heat Strokes

Ever been exposed to high temperatures to the point where you feel dehydrated? Horrible feeling, isn’t it? Heat exhaustion is no fun. You aren’t able to partake in events, activities, and other things because of the overpowering heat from the sun. Typically, for this illness, there is two types of heat exhaustion: salt depletion and water depletion. Salt depletion can include anything from dizziness and nausea to vomiting and muscle cramps. On the other hand, water depletion includes headaches, weaknesses, loss of consciousness, and excessive thirst.

Heat Exhaustion Symptoms

The most common symptoms for heat exhaustion are:

  • Pale skinHeat Exhaustion
  • Headache
  • Dizziness/fainting
  • Confusion
  • Diarrhea
  • Dehydration
  • Fatigue
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea

If you or anyone else are experiencing these symptoms, find the nearest cool/shady area possible. Taking a cool shower or bath, drinking lots of water, turning on fans or air conditioning, and removing unnecessary clothing are ways to help treat heat exhaustion. Even though heat exhaustion isn’t as bad as a heat stroke, it still isn’t something to be taken so lightly so if these symptoms progress, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. To make a follow-up checkup appointment please call our Westland Clinic at 734.728.2130.

Heat Stroke

Heat strokes are considered very serious. If you or someone you know are having a heat stroke, calling 911 is recommended. Not only can heat strokes be dangerous, but they can also cause a lot of damage to other organs and to the brain. Normally, people over the age of 50 are prone to getting heat strokes, but it can also take a toll on young adults. A heat stroke is a combination of dehydration and being exposed to high temperatures.

Heat Stroke Symptoms:

  • Nausea
  • Seizures
  • Coma
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Fainting
  • Heat cramps
  • Dizziness
  • Dry, red, and hot skin
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Headache
  • Body temperature above 105 degrees Fahrenheit

It’s always a nice feeling to be outside in the sun, but being severely exposed to the sun is not good nor healthy. By preventing harsh sun exposure and getting the proper sun protection, you can avoid illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat strokes. At Millennium Medical Group West our Westland Medical Center with professional staff and physicians can help with heat-related illness like heat exhaustion. Stay tuned for our next article on diagnostics and treatment of heat related illness.

 

Summer Sun Safety

The summertime is quickly approaching. Most kids like to spend a lot of time outdoors in the sun, so it’s always best to make sure that they are getting the proper sun burn protection for their skin. Taking the right precautions from over exposure to the sun can reduce you or a child’s chance from developing skin damage. It’s normal for us to enjoy outdoor activities, but it’s also important that we stay safe.

When trying to avoid the sun, here are a few things you should keep in mind:

  • Seek shade. Being under shade will not only keep you cool throughout the day, but help to prevent any form of excessive sun exposure.
  • Avoid UV/tanning beds.
  • Try to avoid being in the sun rays between 10am-4pm. The sun’s rays are the strongest during this period time. This will keep the sun from burning and harming your skin.Sun over exposure prevention
  • Cover up with clothes, UV sunglasses, and sunscreen. Wearing tightly woven clothes, especially if it is outdoor gear.  This is helpful because it protects you from the harsh UV rays. The darker your clothes are, the better. By simply applying one ounce of sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or greater, 30 minutes prior to going outside, will save you in the long run. Using this type of sunscreen on babies who are six months or younger is not recommended; keep newborn babies out of the sun.
  • Be sure to examine your body every month and see your physician every year to have a skin exam done.

Have you ever experienced a tan or sunburn based on the effects of the sun? The sun can either increase our health or damage it. It’s okay to be exposed to some sun exposure because it is the top source of Vitamin D. This can be beneficial because it helps our bodies absorb calcium for stronger bones. However, receiving too much sunlight on your skin can cause skin cancer, skin damage, and eye damage.

Summer Sun Safety

A Millennium Medical Group Clinics, we care about your health. We’ve been treating our patients in our medical clinics for over 40 years. We make sure that our patients are cared for quickly and completely. If you have any questions or are interested in learning more about sun protection or see a physician for a skin examination, please feel free to call or contact us today. Read the second part in this three part series addressing Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke Warnings. We hope that you use our Summer Sun Safety tips throughout this summer and stay well!