Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Soaring Temperatures - Take Care
The average daily temperature for July is 89 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the Department of Meteorology, but this July it has been averaging 91 degrees.
The Department also reported that a temperature of 96 degrees was recorded on July 2, the highest temperature recorded on a July day in decades. Forecasters also say that the humidity level makes the temperature on some days feel well over 100 degrees.
It’s perhaps easy to see why experts are quick to send warnings about the heat. Dr. James Iferenta, clinical director of emergency services at Doctors Hospital, said on Tuesday that it is very important to keep the body hydrated.
"There are a number of things that we advise our patients to do to avoid heat-related illnesses," he said. "The first is to drink adequate amounts of water and not necessarily juices or sodas, but actually water." Dr. Iferenta explained that during this time of year, the body loses a lot of fluid from the surface of the skin.
The second thing to do would be to protect the skin from the sun, he said. "The sun can cause burning and it can cause rashes and irritations," Dr. Iferenta said. "You can actually over a number of years develop skin cancer so it is important to wear sun block to protect the skin from harmful radiation."
Experts say on hot, humid days, increased moisture in the air slows the evaporation of sweat. When sweating is not enough to cool your body, they say, the body temperature rises, and you may become ill.
Even short periods of high temperatures can cause serious health problems, experts advise. They point out that two of the most common types of heat-related illnesses are heat stroke and heat exhaustion.
Heat stroke occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature. As the body temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. Body temperature may rise to 106 degrees Fahrenheit or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat strokes can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not given.
Heat exhaustion is the body’s response to an excessive loss of water and salt contained in sweat. Those most prone to heat exhaustion are elderly people, people with high blood pressure, and people working or exercising in a hot environment, according to experts, who say if heat exhaustion is untreated, it may progress to a heat stroke.
Overexposure to the sun can also lead to a number of skin problems including sunburns, sun rashes, and in some cases dry skin and psoriases, according to the experts.
Bridgette Barry, a local esthetician, recommends that before going outside, individuals should clean their skin properly, and then apply sun block to the skin and sun cream to the face.
Ms. Barry said that there are certain times during the day when the sun is at its hottest. She recommends staying inside during those times.
"From noon to about 3pm is the worst time for sun exposure during the day," Ms. Barry said. "The sun that comes into your car is at times worse than standing outside because the car also blocks the natural safeguards, and leaves the body with intense heat."
Experts agree that skin tones have very little to do with heat-related illnesses. In fact, they say in many cases, persons of darker skin tones burn much faster that than persons of lighter skin tones.
Other tips for dealing with the heat include: Plan to do more summer activities in the morning, when it’s cooler; Wear hats that keep the sun off your face and neck and Try to schedule all meetings in your office.
The Department also reported that a temperature of 96 degrees was recorded on July 2, the highest temperature recorded on a July day in decades. Forecasters also say that the humidity level makes the temperature on some days feel well over 100 degrees.
It’s perhaps easy to see why experts are quick to send warnings about the heat. Dr. James Iferenta, clinical director of emergency services at Doctors Hospital, said on Tuesday that it is very important to keep the body hydrated.
"There are a number of things that we advise our patients to do to avoid heat-related illnesses," he said. "The first is to drink adequate amounts of water and not necessarily juices or sodas, but actually water." Dr. Iferenta explained that during this time of year, the body loses a lot of fluid from the surface of the skin.
The second thing to do would be to protect the skin from the sun, he said. "The sun can cause burning and it can cause rashes and irritations," Dr. Iferenta said. "You can actually over a number of years develop skin cancer so it is important to wear sun block to protect the skin from harmful radiation."
Experts say on hot, humid days, increased moisture in the air slows the evaporation of sweat. When sweating is not enough to cool your body, they say, the body temperature rises, and you may become ill.
Even short periods of high temperatures can cause serious health problems, experts advise. They point out that two of the most common types of heat-related illnesses are heat stroke and heat exhaustion.
Heat stroke occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature. As the body temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. Body temperature may rise to 106 degrees Fahrenheit or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat strokes can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not given.
Heat exhaustion is the body’s response to an excessive loss of water and salt contained in sweat. Those most prone to heat exhaustion are elderly people, people with high blood pressure, and people working or exercising in a hot environment, according to experts, who say if heat exhaustion is untreated, it may progress to a heat stroke.
Overexposure to the sun can also lead to a number of skin problems including sunburns, sun rashes, and in some cases dry skin and psoriases, according to the experts.
Bridgette Barry, a local esthetician, recommends that before going outside, individuals should clean their skin properly, and then apply sun block to the skin and sun cream to the face.
Ms. Barry said that there are certain times during the day when the sun is at its hottest. She recommends staying inside during those times.
"From noon to about 3pm is the worst time for sun exposure during the day," Ms. Barry said. "The sun that comes into your car is at times worse than standing outside because the car also blocks the natural safeguards, and leaves the body with intense heat."
Experts agree that skin tones have very little to do with heat-related illnesses. In fact, they say in many cases, persons of darker skin tones burn much faster that than persons of lighter skin tones.
Other tips for dealing with the heat include: Plan to do more summer activities in the morning, when it’s cooler; Wear hats that keep the sun off your face and neck and Try to schedule all meetings in your office.
