Fact File on Sunstroke

Sunstroke is a dangerous condition that occurs when the body’s thermostat breaks down from overheating. It can, and should always be prevented, as even with treatment it may be fatal or cause permanent damage. 

Although we are all used to thinking of this extremely serious heat disorder as something that only happens to people who stay out too long in the hot sun, in fact the heat itself is the problem and not the sun’s rays. For instance, people who find themselves in very hot places such as engine rooms and steel works can suffer the severe effects of ‘sunstroke’ without ever being near the sun. And, for this reason, doctors tend to talk about ‘heat-stroke’. 

The body’s reaction to heat

The body has two main mechanisms for losing heat. First, the blood vessels to the skin are dilated so that more blood flows to the surface, allowing it to lose heat through the skin into the air. Second, the skin is cooled by the action of the sweat glands. The sweat glands pour out their salty fluid on to the surface of the skin. It evaporates, and heat is lost as vapor. 

 Overheating

There are many ways in which the environment can intensify the effects of the heat on the body - it is not just a question of the reading on the thermometer. If the air is humid, then this reduces the ease with which the sweat evaporates, so that it becomes more difficult to lose heat. Similarly, if the air is very still, then less heat is lost from the surface of the body by convection. People doing hard physical work in a hot environment are, of course, producing a lot of heat of their own. They may be losing up to one liter of sweat every hour, compared with the one liter per day of sedentary workers in a temperate climate. This loss of salt and water can contribute to a condition known as heat exhaustion, which, unless checked, can lead to the eventual breakdown of the body’s temperature-regulating mechanism (heat stroke). Fortunately, however, as the body gets used to working in a hot environment, it adapts and the loss of salts decreases, making the body less vulnerable to heat disorders.

Extra risk factors

The very young and the very old are most at risk from heat disorders, and consequently from heat stroke. This is because their bodies’ temperature regulating mechanisms are not very efficient. Also elderly people tend to wear too much clothing in hot weather. 

However, there are several other pre-disposing factors. People who are unused to heat, who are very overweight, who drink heavily, or who are suffering from a feverish illness, in the right circumstances, may all be at a greater risk from heat stroke. 

Symptoms and dangers

The three basic signs of heat-stroke are: a very high temperature (more than 41 ⁰C (106 ⁰F); a total absence of sweating; and, most seriously, nervous system problems which may lead to coma. Disturbances of mood, disorientation and headache, often accompanied by dizziness and difficulty in walking all happen in the early stages of the stroke until, eventually, consciousness is lost. 

Unfortunately, a fully developed heat stroke is an extremely dangerous condition and over 20 per cent of sufferers may die, even with treatment. In addition, those who do recover may have persistent trouble in the nervous system and their balance and co-ordination may take months to get back to normal. However, if treatment is prompt - at the first sign of symptoms and before consciousness is lost – then the chances of recovery are good. 

Treatment and prevention

As soon as any symptoms appear, it is essential to call a doctor immediately. Meanwhile, cool the patient down as quickly as possible. The temperature should be brought down to about 39 ⁰C (102 ⁰F) - no lower as the patient’s circulation may go into shock. The best way to cool the patient down is in a bath of cold water. In hospital, special slatted beds on which sufferers can be doused with water and cooled by fans are used. The most sensible and effective way to fight sunstroke is, of course, prevention.

And this can be done quite simply by ensuring that the body is not overheated. This means not staying out too long in the sun; wearing cool, loose clothing in the heat; taking salt tablets and drinking plenty of liquids when doing physical work in very hot environments. 

Beautiful Women Jogging for Health!

Jogging is not just a fun way to exercise but, when done properly, it can also improve health.

Jogging is a type of ‘aerobic exercise’. This means that it forces the body to process more than the usual amount of oxygen. Since the muscles use oxygen when they are exercised, the store is quickly used up when they are worked hard. To replace the lost oxygen, your heartbeat and breathing are speeded up. More than the usual volume of blood is sent to the heart which, in turn, has to work harder to pump. The effect is to improve the working of the cardio–respiratory system, strengthening the heart and improving the circulation. 

Additionally, jogging also tones up the muscles, especially flabby legs and buttocks. It aids weight loss if you are on a diet, and helps maintain that loss once you are down to your target. Finally, it can be combined with routine keep fit exercises, so that you tone up muscles not utilized by running.  

Jogging guidelines

Jogging does not necessitate an expensive outlay on clothing and equipment. All you will need is a pair of thickly cushioned running shoes, with a rubber insole and good arch support. It should be broken in, and possibly a size too big as this will allow your feet to swell slightly and breath adequately. 

Cotton socks are preferable to nylon as they help soak up the sweat. Running clothes should be loose fitting and lightweight. A tracksuit is comfortable and looks nice, but shorts and a T-shirt will do, and in any case cost less. 

The golden rule of jogging is not to overdo it – both at the beginning, when over-enthusiasm may quickly lead to boredom or loss of interest, and when you are building up to your target. 

If you haven’t exercised strenuously or indeed at all for a long period, it is worthwhile spending a few days doing warm-up exercises, such as running on the spot, before you set out on your first jog. This way you can build up stamina, avoid leg stiffness and prevent painful ‘shin splints’ (pain and tenderness in the lower muscles and tendons between the leg bones.). 

A sensible way to start jogging is by combining walking with jogging. For instance you can walk for five minutes, jog for 15 seconds, repeating this for 20 minutes. Build up slowly by cutting down on walking and increasing jogging to 30 seconds, then one minute and so on until, over a period of weeks, you are jogging the whole time. 

Once you have completed a build-up programme, you can start jogging properly and begin to think in terms of setting targets. Do not be unrealistic and try to push yourself too much. 

When you jog, keep your pace even and concentrate on developing an easy rhythm. Jogging is not racing – it should be done at a measured pace. If possible, you should jog on a soft surface like clay or grass, rather than cement, which can cause injury. Many inexperienced joggers develop blisters, a swollen Achilles tendon or a cartilage inflammation (called runner’s knee.) If this happens, you should stop jogging for a few days and if necessary, see you doctor. There is no sense jogging while you are in pain and perhaps causing yourself further injury. 

Moreover, if you find that your heart starts pounding or that you repeatedly get a muscle cramp, you should stop jogging immediately and rest. 

After you finish jogging, you should cool off by either walking or doing light exercise such as touching your toes, and this way you can avoid dizziness that can result from the sudden withdrawal of oxygen caused by flopping down immediately. 

A word of caution: in spite of the scare stories, there is no risk to jogging providing you begin gently and increase the exercise gradually. However if you have a history of heart of breathing problems, back trouble or muscular disorders, you should first consult your doctor before starting to jog.

Bright and Shiny Eyes for Women

No matter how healthy the rest of your body is, tired and sore eyes can make you feel below par. 

Here is how to brighten your outlook:

Bloodshot eyes after a night of heavy drinking are a graphic reminder that the body has been abused. In this case, the remedy is simple enough –lay off drinking until you feel better. 

If your eyes are occasionally puffy or sore, there are a few the practical things you can do to relieve them. “Palming” is a good way of soothing tired of sore eyes. Simply cup your closed eyes lightly in your hand so that the palms test over the eyelids an all light is excluded for a minute at least. 

Obviously, though, if your eyes feel strained often you should have them checked. 

Blinking is the best way of keeping the eyes naturally bathed in antiseptic fluid - the body’s own - but if your eyes are particularly dry or uncomfortable and if your home or workplace is centrally heated, an eyewash or eye drops can bring relief. 

A small amount of salt added to boiled water makes a cheap and simple wash for use with an eyebath. (Remember, though, if you have the slightest trace of infection, to wash out the eyebath and replace the liquid before bathing the second eye, and wash the eyebath again before putting is away.) 

Plain table salt in distilled water from the chemists is like the eyes’ natural fluid and is good used every few hours as drops. A generous pinch in a glass of water is sufficient, and the liquid should be stored in a dark glass bottle with a built-in dropper.

If you are going out after a day’s work and want a quick pick-me-up, splash your eyes with cold water (this is to best thing for your eyes first thing in the morning, too). Put a couple of drops of salt water or eye-bright lotion from the health store in each eye and apply a compress. The compress can be cotton wool soaked in witch hazel or cold herb tea, a slice of cucumber, or else a cold teabag. Use herbal teabags, though, if you do this often, because the skin may become discoloured otherwise. Then put your feet up and relax for ten minutes in a darkened room. 

Cucumber slices and tea bags are also good for combatting puffiness, one of the most common eye complaints affecting the appearance. Both are diuretics and work by drawing out excess fluid around the eyes – and they actually are most effective as a temporary measure. 

Dark circles under the eyes are another common trouble, and not getting enough sleep really is the most probably cause. If this is your problem, do not try to cover the dark circles with makeup - get enough sleep instead. 

It is important to remember though that puffiness and dark circles can also be the sign of more serious medical problems, and attempting to treat them with home remedies, however successful they may be for minor short-term ailments, can simply mask important symptoms. If any eye troubles persist, it is vital that you consult your doctor. 

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