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With vaccinations and masks in hand, this summer might feel much more normal to many. As summer is quickly approaching and the temperature is rising, we need to be wary of all the health implications that come along with the heat.
Heat Exhaustion vs. Heat Stroke
As you spend a lot of your time in the sun, it is important that you understand the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and can determine the correct course of treatment for both.
Heat exhaustion is much less serious than heatstroke and can usually be treated with just 30 minutes of cooling down. You will know you are experiencing heat exhaustion if you have a headache, dizziness, loss of appetite, excessive sweating, cramping, fast breathing, strong thirst, etc.
On the other hand, heatstroke is very serious and has symptoms such as feeling unwell even after a 30-minute cool-down period, not sweating even while hot, fast breathing, confusion, seizures, loss of consciousness, etc. At this point, you would need immediate medical attention.
To avoid both heat exhaustion and heat stroke, you should drink plenty of cold drinks, take cool showers, wear light clothing, avoid the sun at peak hours (11 am-3 pm), avoid extreme exercise, etc. Keep an extra careful eye on children and the elderly as they are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses.
Choosing the Right Sunscreen
If there is one thing we know about summer safety, it is that we need to wear sunscreen. However, there are certain things you should take into consideration when choosing your sunscreen.
- You want to choose a sunscreen that has broad-spectrum protection. This just means that it will protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Both of those rays are responsible for skin cancer and premature aging, so you want double protection.
- A sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) 30 or higher is preferred. The higher the SPF number, the more protection you will receive from your sunscreen. Anything below SPF 15 will protect against sunburn but not skin cancer or skin aging.
- Understand that no sunscreens are waterproof. Some may label themselves “water-resistant” but they only last for a certain amount of time. It is always advised to reapply every 2 hours and even more often if you are swimming.
Staying Hydrated This Summer
One of the most common ways you can become ill in the heat is by getting dehydrated. We get dehydrated when it is hot because our body begins pumping a higher volume of blood to our skin which causes us to sweat. The sweat is meant to help cool us off, but your heart will need to work overtime if the sweat does not do its job. To prevent that, you need to drink more to replenish the fluids being lost.
Mild dehydration shows itself in the form of dizziness, fatigue, or being nauseous. Luckily, all it takes is a glass of water to fix this. However, severe dehydration that shows itself with lack of, or dark urination, rapid heartbeat, dry skin, sunken eyes, fever, chills, etc., and requires immediate medical help. Letting yourself be dehydrated for long periods can turn into pretty serious health complications. Therefore, it is recommended to drink at least one glass of water a day, but if you know you are going to be overexerting yourself, you should up the amount of water you drink.
Some More Quick Summer Tips
- Dress Light- Wear clothes that allow you to regulate your body temperature.
- Protect Your Eyes- You can get major headaches by not guarding your eyes against the sun.
- Eating Summer Friendly Food- Fruits and vegetables are a good way to replenish your energy and hydrate you in the heat.
Agents
We hope this information on beating the heat this summer is helpful to you.
Empower Brokerage is dedicated to helping you educate your clients on the insurance they need and staying on top of their health. Whether it’s through webinar training, one-on-one calls, seminars, or marketing plans. We want you to be successful. Give us a call if you have any questions 888-539-1633.
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Kayla is a graduate of Texas A&M University and joined the marketing team at Empower Brokerage in early 2021. She creates content for the company websites and assists with various marketing campaigns. LinkedIn Profile
