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Seniors Should Take Summer Heat Seriously
by: ARA Content
Enjoy the Summer Sun Without Suffering From the Heat
(ARA) - The cure for many cases of cabin fever is here: warm summer sun.
Everything from barbecues to beaches bring people out in droves to enjoy the
warm weather. But oftentimes, the summer brings more than bright, sunny days. It
can also bring sweltering heat and unbearable humidity that makes even the
brightest summer days seem dreary. These dog days of summer are hard on the body
and can result in anything from heat stroke to heat exhaustion if above-normal
temperatures are not taken seriously -- especially by the elderly.
Taking minor precautions before spending time outdoors on blistering days can
help you prevent heat-related illnesses. The heat is out of your control, but
you can control the effects it has on your body by following a few of the
guidelines below:
Hydration is Key
The average person needs eight to 12 cups of water daily to help maintain
body temperatures and to transport wastes, nutrients and other substances. But
as temperatures rise, so does your body's need for this essential element. With
higher mercury readings, perspiration, the body's way of cooling itself,
increases, therefore depleting the body of more of its essential fluids. This is
especially true when exercising or taking part in strenuous activities during
peak heat hours.
Dehydration is common among the elderly because as the body ages, sweat
glands don't work as well and blood vessels carry less blood to the skin as they
once did. So, the body becomes less tolerant to heat.
One way to avoid dehydration is to save activities and exercise for the
coolest times of the day -- morning and evening. If mid-day outdoor activity is
necessary on a hot day, be sure to take frequent breaks in the shade and always
have water with or near you. If you feel like you might be starting to overheat,
place a cold towel on your wrists, forehead and behind your knees.
While carrying around washcloths and towels may not be convenient for many
people, technological advances now make it possible to carry you own personal,
portable cooling system. One of these innovations is called the Misty Mate, a
two-pound ergonomic day pack that can immediately cool the air around you. This
is accomplished by using pressurized water forced through specialized nozzles
that create very small droplets of water. These droplets are so small that they
instantly flash evaporate cooling the air as much as 30 F (15C) under dry
conditions. In humid conditions, all you need to add are ice cubes. This icy
cold mist is highly effective for conductive cooling, which is the cooling
effect of the frigid mist in contact with the exposed areas of the skin surface
known as misting.
In addition to hydration and misting, nutrition can play a large part in
staying healthy in the summer heat. Eating light meals will help maintain your
energy level and not bog you down the way heavy, rich meals can. When the sun
heats up, increase the amount of potassium in your diet. Perspiration tends to
first deplete the body of this nutrient, so after checking with your doctor,
stock up on potassium-rich foods like apricots, bananas, cantaloupes, beans,
broccoli and potatoes.
Be careful not to eat too much protein, which can increase your body's heat
production. Although drinking a cold beer or margarita might hit the spot on a
hot day, consuming large amounts of alcohol and caffeine can actually deplete
the body of water. Fruit juices and milk can help rehydrate your body, but water
is the best fluid to consume in order to stay hydrated.
One more way to stay cool when it heats up is to wear minimal clothing. This
provides a greater skin surface area for the heat to dissipate. Cotton is the
best fabric to wear on steamy days because it allows your skin to breath. Stay
away from tight-fitting clothes and dark colored fabrics, which only absorb the
sun's hot rays.
No one wants to end up sitting indoors all summer, but when the thermometer
reaches 85 degrees or above, be smart while enjoying the sun by taking a few,
easy precautions.
For more information on Misty Mate and other misting products, visit http://www.mistymate.com..
About The Author
This article courtesy of ARA Content, http://www.aracontent.com
e-mail: info@aracontent.com
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