Tips to Keep Your Cool in the Heat - LiveHealth Online

Summer’s here! As temperatures start sizzling, it’s important to stay safe during the hot, hazy days of the season. Heat-related illnesses can range from those that cause temporary discomfort to the fatal condition known as heat stroke, which claims the lives of hundreds of people each year. Just as a machine can overheat and break down after working too hard for too long, so can your body.

No matter where you are or what you are doing this summer, Dr. Mia Finkelston, a doctor who treats patients using LiveHealth Online, says it’s important to keep the following tips in mind on a hot day:

• Drink more water than usual, and don’t wait until you are thirsty
• Try to avoid liquids with caffeine, alcohol or large amounts of sugar
• Limit your outdoor activities to early morning and evening hours
• Always use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or more
• When going out, wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing
• Never leave anyone, or pets, in a closed parked car
• If you are in the sun directly, make sure to wear sunglasses or a wide-brimmed hat and seek shade when UV rays are strongest and can cause the most damage (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
• If you can’t keep cool in your home on a hot day, it is recommended you find other cool places to spend your days such as your local movie theatre, the library or a mall.

Comments and opinions are from Dr. Mia Finkelston, alone. She is a doctor who treats patients using LiveHealth Online.

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