Summer Savvy Health Tips

Summer is here and the sun is hawt! With the heat and sun come sunburn, heat rash, heat exhaustion, and even heat stroke. There are things we can do to prevent these from happening and treatment – including natural remedies – when they do.

Whip up this easy to make and effective sunscreen to stay protected!

The sun and vitamin D

Some sun exposure is very important for Vitamin D production in the body. Vitamin D plays a big part in immune and neuromuscular function, in modulation of cell growth, reduction of inflammation, and the uptake of calcium and phosphorus in the bones. When the sun hits the cholesterol in skin cells, it triggers Vit. D synthesis. Vitamin D synthesis with the help of the sun is actually more healthful than taking Vit. D supplements. Exposure to the rising and setting sun helps to heal damaged mitochondria due to tech exposure. Sun is a good thing! However, we need be mindful of the amount of time our skin is exposed to sun rays.

Heat rash

Heat rash, AKA prickly heat is caused by blocked sweat glands trapping perspiration under the skin. Symptoms can include superficial blisters to deep red bumps. Heat rash can be intensely itchy. The most common places for heat rash to occur is in the folds of the body such as under the breasts, the groin, elbows, armpits, etc.

Heat rash treatment

• Again, like sunburn, the best way to resolve heat rash is to get out of the sun and heat, and allow the body to cool.
• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Cool water applications can be beneficial.
• Wear loose clothing and avoid strenuous activity. If the heat rash involves symptoms such as increased pain in the affected area after cooling had occurred, pus discharge, fever, chills, or swollen lymph, seek medical attention.

Heat exhaustion and heatstroke

The body has regulatory processes in effect to maintain a stable and relatively constant temperature. When a person becomes cold, the muscles shudder to create heat. When hot, sweat glands bring perspiration to the surface of the skin. As the perspiration evaporates with air contact, the body is cooled. Upon extreme heat, humidity, strenuous or mild activity, wearing too many layers or tight fitting clothes on a hot day, certain drugs, and dehydration to name a few, heat exhaustion and the more dangerous and life threatening heat stroke can occur. The body becomes too hot to self-regulate. Symptoms of heat exhaustion can include extreme fatigue, cool moist skin with goose bumps in the heat, dizziness or fainting, nausea, cramping, flushed or pale skin, headaches, weak/rapid pulse. Heat stroke includes the previous symptoms with the addition of unconsciousness, confusion, delirium, hallucinations, slurred speech, and irritability. These are only partial symptoms.

Heat exhaustion/heat stroke prevention

• Stay out of the sun and heat during the peak hours.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Drink plenty of fluids. Drink plenty of fluids. Although coffee and other drinks that contain caffeine are technically fluids, be mindful that caffeine is a diuretic.
• Stay away from alcohol. While enjoying a cold brew in the sun might sound refreshing, alcohol puts a strain on the liver and kidneys. Alcohol is also a diuretic. Diuretics leach potassium from the body. Potassium is a vital electrolyte that governs muscle cramping and heartbeat.
• Avoid strenuous activity of any kind.
• Avoid overdressing, especially in synthetic fabrics. Wear loose fitting, light colored clothing.

Heat exhaustion/heat stroke treatment

If a person exhibits any of the above symptoms, call 911. It is imperative to start treatment immediately, before help arrives.

• Get them out of the sun and into shade or a cool place.
• Remove excess clothing.
• Cool the person down with whatever means is at your disposal. Spray them down with water from a hose, have them sit in the tub with cool water showering over them. Ice packs or cool water compresses applied to the back of the neck, groin, armpits, and head.
• If the person is conscious and can take fluids, give them cool water. Avoid coffee and alcohol.

A few years ago, a person I knew at the time got heat stroke. It was very hot and sunny; he drank a pot of coffee, and started mowing the grass in the heat of the day. He refused my plying him with lemonade, cold water, admonishments to get out of the heat and sun, etc. He became very irritable and would not listen to reason. You can bring a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink, eh? After a few hours, he came into the house and collapsed on the couch. He refused water and any cooling down ministrations. He also refused any medical help. Later that evening, he began to hallucinate that people were on the roof. For 5 days afterward, he hallucinated. A couple of months later, he had another episode of hallucinations. In effect, because of his refusal to do what needed to be done to treat the heat stroke, he literally fried his brain. Heat stroke can cause permanent damage to the brain, liver, kidneys, muscles, and heart, and even death. Don’t let this happen to you. Be smart in the heat. Drink water and eat watermelon!

Stay cool, my friends. If you want to find me, I’ll be the one sipping cool water with a bit of crushed fresh spearmint in the glass.