News — Beat the Heat: Would you know if you or your loved one were having heat stroke? Even if you did, would you know how treat it? Are there ways to prevent it and other heat-related conditions? With the warm weather here after a grueling winter, sizzling temperatures and high humidity not only feel uncomfortable but can be downright dangerous, especially as we get older. The hot weather can cause health challenges and even deaths. Some good tips on how to avoid heat-related problems include:A. Tell a friend if you are going out in extreme heatB. Limit outdoor activitiesC. Drink plenty of fluids D. Dress in light clothingE. Never stay in a car that鈥檚 not running鈥ven for a few minutes
However, these tips are just the beginning. For instance, when you hear, drink plenty of fluids, what does plenty mean? A team of experts from Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital in Baltimore, Md. can explain ways the beat the heat for people of all ages.
A Matter of Fashion and Function 鈥� Finding Proper Eye Protection from the Sun鈥檚 Ray: Shopping for sunglasses should not be about fashion. Well, not just about fashion. Shopping for sunglasses should also be about protecting your eyes. 鈥淎ll sunglasses should be polarized, have UV filter, and should be dark enough so that you can't see the person's eye through the lens,鈥� says Karen Cohn, optician/manager at the Krieger Eye Institute in Baltimore, MD. Certain types of light can be very dangerous for our eyes, Cohn explains. Long-range, ultraviolet A (UVA) and short-range ultraviolet B (UVB) are the most dangerous rays from the sun. They are considered a major cause of cataracts and certain types of cancer. Find out your best defense from these dangers.
Vitamin D: Are you getting enough of this necessary substance?Currently, there is a hot debate on how much daily vitamin D an individual requires on a daily basis, and the best way to obtain it. The current recommendations of daily vitamin D requirements range from 400-1000 IU's (international units), and even some experts recommend up to 5000 IU's/day. Diet is a very important source of Vitamin D, as we all know fortified dairy products such as some cereals, butter, eggs, liver and certain type of fish. Vitamin supplementation is also a very simple method and there are various supplements which are readily available.
But, the real debate centers on if there is a safe amount of sun exposure (without sunscreen) that can also provide the valuable Vitamin D requirement.
Protecting your children: Summer time is usually filled with children riding their bicycles and skateboards. In order to prevent an injury from occurring during these activities parents should be aware of proper bike helmet safety. The following are a list of tips that can keep your child safe while choosing a helmet.鈥� Helmets should be snug, level, and stable鈥� Pick white or a bright color for visibility for motorists鈥� Helmets should not move more than an inch in any direction鈥� Make sure your helmet has a Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) sticker to ensure that it meets the highest standards. A team of experts from Sinai Hospital can explain ways to keep kids safe.
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