June 2018

WELLNESS
by Harry Heisler
Be Safe this
How many times have we replied when asked the question, “How’s the weather down
there?” with “Just another day in paradise!” Yet, as we all know, even paradise had
its fair share of dangers. So, as we head into our summer months, there are specific
issues to take into consideration before venturing out into the brilliant Florida sun.
There is the lure of that perfect golden tan and our
wonderfully abundant beaches. But there are inherent
dangers in both that require attention and knowledge. Those
issues include awareness not only for us but also, more
importantly, for our children and pets. Here are some of the
types of summer concerns we can be aware of and how to
avoid or treat them:
headache, vomiting, dizziness, muscle cramps, paleness,
weakness, fainting, fatigue, and excessive sweating. If heat
exhaustion is not treated it can manifest in the form of heat
stroke.
Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion
The difference between heat stroke and heat exhaustion is
severity. Heat stroke is an unusually high body temperature
that includes physical and neurological symptoms. Heat
stroke is a medical emergency that may be fatal if not
attended to immediately. Heat exhaustion is a mild heatrelated
illness that may cause lethargy and other problems.
Being in the sun for long periods of time can cause both heat
stroke and heat exhaustion. The symptoms include nausea,
Prevention
1. When the temperature is high, stay indoors.
2. If you go out, wear a sunscreen with SPF of 30 or more
(the higher, the better).
3. Take a hat or an umbrella to protect you from the
sun.
4. Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothes.
5. Drink plenty of fluids, such as water or other healthy
liquids, every 15 to 20 minutes, even if you are not thirsty.
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JUNE 2018