The sun is at its hottest around noon when it is directly overhead, burning brightly from the center of our galaxy at a distance of 149.
The sun is at its hottest around noon when it is directly overhead, burning brightly from the center of our galaxy at a distance of 149.6 million kilometers from Earth, and while we humans are mostly diurnal – meaning daytime creatures, there is a limit to how much we can take before our exposure becomes too great.
In the July 28th edition of the Barrhead Leader, optometrist Grant Balen told our readers about the risks UV rays pose to the eyes and warned that without proper protection such as sunscreen around your eyes or wrap-around frames, the risk of developing burns and related cancers was increased proportionally, but it is not just your eyes that you have to worry about.
Sunstroke and melanoma are potential causes for concern too.
Also known as thermic fever and heatstroke, sunstroke is a life-threatening emergency that occurs when the body fails to regulate its temperature properly due to over-exposure to heat and sun, and is easily preventable provided liquids lost through sweating are replaced.
According to MediResource Inc., large amounts of bodily fluids can be lost in this way. At a certain point however, the human body will cease the production of sweat and will reserve the remaining fluid for vital functions, causing your core temperature to shoot up, and will result in cell death.
High core temperatures can also damage internal organs, especially the brain, and the fluid loss can produce dangerously low blood pressure that will inevitably culminate in circulatory failure.
According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, on average, 675 people die each year from complications arising from extreme heat – more than tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, lightning or any other weather event combined, and in a July 25th media release from their online office, officials are warning people to stay cool, hydrated and informed to prevent illness.
While Alberta Health Services has no such advisories out at this time, there is no point in taking risks when they can be prevented, and AHS recommends the application of sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 30 or greater, at least 20 minutes before heading outside, as well as wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and long-sleeves to protect your skin.
Now recognized as the 8th most common form of cancer in Canada, according to the Canadian Dermatology Association, melanoma was diagnosed in 5,500 cases in 2011, and is one of a handful of cancers where incidences of it continues to grow on a yearly basis – 1.4 per cent per year for men, 1 per cent per year for women, while the death rate for men continues to rise at a rate of 0.5 per cent per year.
Melanoma presents as an irregularly shaped mole, usually brown or black, and is commonly situated in a hard-to-see area such as the back in men, and the legs in women. It is recommended to check your skin at least once a month and speak with a dermatologist immediately if any suspicious moles are found.
