The heat may have very negative effects on our organisms.

When we are exposed to high temperatures, our body makes a series of adaptations to keep its internal temperature within normal limits. Sweating is the most common and most effective of these. Sweating helps us to lose heat and keep cool. However, in extremely hot conditions, this mechanism can be insufficient. Our bodies can then suffer several negative effects.

One of the most severe effects, and more common than we think, is heat stroke. This is a severe condition that occurs when our body cannot properly regulate its internal temperature and rises to levels that are dangerous to our health, exceeding 40ºC. Symptoms of heat stroke can include rapid breathing, red, hot, and dry skin, fast and strong pulse, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, confusion, headache, convulsions, and loss of consciousness.

It can also cause irreversible brain, heart, liver, and kidney damage. And it can be life-threatening, if not treated in time.

Other negative effects of heat

Excessive heat can also have other, less serious, negative effects on our bodies. Let´s take a look at the most common ones:

Dehydration. when we are exposed to high temperatures, our body loses water through sweating. If we do not adequately replace lost fluids and the body loses more fluid than it takes in, we can become dehydrated. Symptoms of dehydration include intense thirst, dry mouth, skin, mucous membranes, decreased urination, headache, dizziness, fatigue, weakness, confusion, and, in severe cases, shock.

Heat exhaustion. This is less serious than heat stroke, but can still be dangerous. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include weakness, muscle cramps, excessive sweating, and rapid pulse.

Increased cardiovascular stress. Excessive heat can stress our cardiovascular system, which can increase the risk of heart problems.

Vasodilation. With heat, the blood vessels dilate to allow heat to circulate to the surface. This defense mechanism against heat brings with it associated discomforts such as a drop in blood pressure, a feeling of weakness, dizziness or fainting, edema, varicose veins, and hemorrhoids.

Alterations in our brain capacity, nervous system, mood, and sleep quality.

Heat can affect our digestive system. Causing lack of appetite, digestion cuts, nausea, or diarrhea.

Some measures to prevent overheating

Now that we understand the effects of heat on our bodies, it is important to take steps to protect ourselves and stay healthy on hot days. Here are some practical tips you can follow:

Always stay hydrated. Drinking enough water is essential to prevent dehydration. On hot days, it is advisable to increase your fluid intake. If you are not a big fan of water, prepare healthy drinks such as cold herbal teas or flavored waters. Avoid excessive caffeine, sugar, and alcohol, which have a solid dehydrating effect. The elderly, children, and pets are often more susceptible to dehydration.

Dress in summer clothes. Wear loose-fitting, cool, lightweight, light-colored clothing. This type of clothing will keep you more relaxed, as it allows more air circulation and reflects sunlight.

Choose cool places. Try to spend as much time as possible in cool areas. Parks, beaches, swimming pools, etc. Air-conditioned facilities such as shopping centers, libraries, bars, or cafés are also very appropriate.

Avoid or limit direct sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., the hottest hours.

Use sunscreen. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF), preferably SPF50. Don’t forget to reapply every two hours, especially if you are sweating or in contact with water.

Eat fresh, light, water-rich foods such as fruit and vegetables.

Avoid strenuous physical activity during the hottest hours of the day.

If you have a serious illness or suspect that you are taking any medication that may alter thermoregulation, consult your doctor,

From Lanier Pharma, your trusted natural supplements laboratory, we offer you these tips to help protect you from the negative effects of heat.

La entrada How the heat affects us: tips to protect ourselves and stay healthy se publicó primero en Lanierpharma.

That is why, in this article, Lanier Pharma wants to lighten this task a little, offering you some tips so that you can enjoy this experience to the fullest, avoiding, as far as possible, stress and fatigue.

Take care of yourself so you can take care of your grandchildren

To be able to take care of your grandchildren this summer, and to do it in the best possible way, you should also think about your health and well-being. In order to take care of those little devils who never seem to run out of energy, you need to be in good physical and mental condition.

Some recommendations for taking care of yourself include:

Get enough rest: Try to get at least seven hours of sleep a day and take a nap if you need to.

• Hydrate properly: Drink at least two liters of water a day and avoid drinks with caffeine or sugar. If you go to the park, remember to protect yourself from the sun and heat with hats and sunscreen. Seek shade and don’t overexert yourself.

• Relax and enjoy yourself: Try to find time for yourself, to do what you enjoy, or to disconnect. Don’t feel guilty about asking for help or delegating a task if you need it. Remember that taking care of your grandchildren should be a pleasure and a way to help your children, never an obligation. Experts are already talking about the so-called ‘slave grandparents’ syndrome: referring to those grandparents for whom taking care of their grandchildren is a duty, a task that takes up a large part of their time.

• Eat well: Follow a balanced and varied diet, according to your state of health. Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and fatty or sugary foods.

• Take supplements to stay motivated: There are natural ingredients that can help you increase your physical and mental energy. Consult a specialist for advice. From our laboratory, we propose Altiusvit as a good alternative if you want to reduce muscular fatigue while improving your muscular endurance. It also stimulates your memory and improves your mood.

Altiusvit is an innovative combination of Citrulline malate, Glutamine, and red Panax ginseng that will give you the physical and mental energy you need.

Organize yourself and plan your activities in advance

One of the keys to taking care of your grandchildren this summer is to plan the activities you are going to do in advance. This way you can make the most of the time, adapt to their tastes and interests, and avoid boredom and arguments. Some ideas of activities you can do with them are:

Activities for all ages

Cultural visits to museums, libraries, guided tours around the city, etc.

You can also go to open-air leisure centers, taking advantage of the good weather, such as parks, swimming pools, aquaparks, children’s shows…

Other alternatives that will entertain them a lot and allow you to rest, are crafts, board games, puzzles, or home experiments.

You can also read stories, what children’s movies, listen to music or learn something new together.

Teach them to fend for themselves from an early age

Involving them in the simple and safe household or everyday tasks as a game usually works very well. Your grandchildren will look forward to »doing grown-up things’ as long as you guide them through the tasks with good humor and a touch of feigned seriousness.

Keep in mind that the activities should be simple and of short duration so that the child does not get tired or feel obliged to do them.

Cooking is usually an activity that they love. Try to choose simple, healthy, yet appealing and visually attractive recipes. Children eat with their eyes. Look for recipes for colorful salads, different snacks, or healthy desserts.

Try to choose simple recipes that do not generate a lot of chaos and mess in the kitchen

Summer is the perfect time for outdoor sports

If you are in good physical shape, you may want to play a sport or do some kind of physical exercise with your grandchildren. You can also suggest that they do something they enjoy while you watch them.

July and August are two months that, for the older members of the household, can be hectic, with many plans and responsibilities that give no respite (children don’t take no for an answer and, anyway, we don’t usually want to deprive them of their fun times).

This extra activity that involves going to the park often, preparing more meals, and spending a lot of time playing, can end up exhausting grandparents. Recovering that energy and enjoying a body that is at 100% at all times is not easy, but we hope that these tips, along with our nutraceutical Altiusvit, will help. This summer we say goodbye to fatigue!

La entrada Are you babysitting your grandchildren this summer? Tips for grandparents to handle it all se publicó primero en Lanierpharma.