August Health Tip

HOT HEALTH TIPS FOR AUGUST: BE COOL ABOUT DEALING WITH THE HEAT

Keep Your Heart Happy During the Heat

Did you know that for every degree your body's internal temperature increases, your heart beats about 10 beats per minute (BPM) faster? What's more, your heart tries to cool your body by pushing blood to the skin, putting more demand on an already challenged ticker.

When exercising during summer:

(1) If temperatures are above 80 degrees F and the humidity is more than 80%, wait until it gets cooler to exercise.

(2) If you plan to exercise for more than 30 minutes, drink 8 t o12 ounces of water 20 to 30 minutes before starting, and another 6 to 10 ounces for every 30 minutes of exercise.

UV Safety is YOUR Personal Safety

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation can contribute to tanning, sunburns, skin aging, eye damage, immune suppression, and skin cancer.

Applying sunscreen can help prevent damage.

What you should know:

(1) Sunscreen doesn't protect skin completely. Using suncreen should be combined with other preventative measures such as staying in the shade or under an umbrella when possible and wearing coverups such as hats and sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection.

(2) Use sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher that protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

(3) Apply sunscreen generously 30 minutes before heading outdoors. Don't forget to protect ears, noses, lips and the tops of feet!

(4) Sunscreen is not meant to allow you to spend more time in the sun than you would do otherwise. Sunscreen reduces damage; it doesn't eliminate it.