Stay Hydrated and Safe From the Harmful UV Rays with These Tips

The hot sun of a summer's day in the desert may be quite damaging to your body and skin. If you're planning an outdoor activity or just a day by the pool, you should do everything possible to avoid UV rays and dehydration. Continue reading to discover more about the importance of sunscreen use and how to stay hydrated while outside.

 

What Happens  When You Are Dehydrated?   

Your body is made up of about 60 percent water, which means that it requires a lot of water to keep your organs and tissues working properly. Your body won't be able to operate efficiently if the amount of water drops below normal levels. Water is required for blood flow to run smoothly, power and control biochemical reactions, and allow the liver and kidneys to remove all the toxins we accumulate. Water also aids the body in fully digesting and absorbing meals, as well as many other bodily processes.

 

Dehydration occurs when the water levels in your body drop too low. It is easily fixed in the early stages if you take action, but if the condition lasts, you may suffer permanent organ damage and even death. Dehydration can result from prolonged diarrhea or vomiting, or a high fever. You must see a doctor if you are experiencing an illness causing those symptoms, or your condition could deteriorate fast.

 

Generally, dehydration is caused when the body tries to cool itself in cases when the person is not sick. When you're in a hot environment, your body produces sweat to help you cool down. Most of the sweat your body produces consists of water and salt.

 

Sweating may help you avoid overheating, but if you don't replace the fluids, you lose while sweating, you can become dehydrated. To make matters worse, the salt shed during exercise makes it more difficult for your body to retain the liquids you drink. As a result, sports drinks include salts and other electrolytes to assist your body hold onto the fluids.

 

Dehydration is Preventable  

The easiest approach to avoid dehydration is to drink a lot of water and stay out of the intense heat. You must get enough fluid throughout the day, not just when exercising or outside in the sun.

 

Drinking eight glasses of water first thing in the morning isn't very effective at keeping you hydrated in the long run. The excess water will simply flow through your kidneys and out of your body. On the other hand, the water consumption of eight glasses throughout the day keeps you hydrated while maintaining all your bodily processes operating smoothly.

 

Be wary of severe heat warnings. These are sent to warn you that even if you do everything correctly to stay hydrated, you may overheat or become dehydrated if you spend too much time outside. Some summer days can be merciless.

 

Identifying Dehydration   

Recognizing the symptoms of mild or moderate dehydration is critical so that you may take action to remedy the problem. IV fluids and other medical treatments might be required to rehydrate the body if severe dehydration has occurred.

 

Early symptoms of dehydration can include:   

  • Intense thirst: Your body is trying to tell you something. Don't ignore your body's call for water.

  • Dry Mouth: If your body runs low on water, it will cut corners. Like decreasing the production of saliva.

  • Dark urine: Urine should be clear or a pale shade of yellow. Dark colors are a clear indicator of dehydration.

  • Fatigue: Your body can't keep up with activities without resources. Fatigue is its way of telling you to slow down.

 

At this stage, it is simple to reverse the symptoms of dehydration. You must rehydrate yourself, so drink a lot of water and eat lots of water-rich fruits and vegetables. Some examples are melons, peaches, strawberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, and celery. If you don't like water, consider drinking no-sugar-added flavored water or coconut water instead. Caffeinated beverages should be avoided because they dehydrate you.

 

Symptoms of Moderate Dehydration   

Dehydration will continue to develop to more advanced stages if you don't provide liquids when your body starts asking for them. The following are some of the symptoms of moderate dehydration:

  • Dry skin

  • Headache

  • Muscle cramps

  • Reduced need to urinate, but with only small amounts of dark yellow, strong-smelling urine released when you do

  • Swollen tongue

  • Sugar cravings

 

At this point, more than water may be required to restore your lost fluids. Sports drinks or electrolyte drinks for sick kids are a good choice. If you don't have one on hand, a sugar-heavy soda or tea followed by water should suffice.

 

Regardless of how you replenish the fluids, getting yourself out of the heat and sun as soon as possible is important to ensure your condition doesn't take a turn for the worse.

 

Symptoms of Severe Dehydration   

Hopefully, you'll be able to replace the fluids your body requires before it reaches this stage, but these symptoms of severe dehydration should prompt immediate medical intervention to avoid serious harm. The following are signs of extreme dehydration:

  • Sluggishness

  • Slurred speech

  • Dizziness

  • Confusion

  • Fainting

  • Heart palpitations

  • Raised body temperature

 

Skincare is Fundamental Too  

Dehydration isn't the only hazard you need to worry about in the desert's scorching heat and sun. Your skin, too, requires protection. The depletion of the ozone layer makes sunscreen mandatory for all skin types.

 

Sunburn and skin damage can be prevented by using sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Furthermore, you should apply sunscreen daily to decrease the chance of developing cancer and other skin conditions. Sunscreen protects against the aging effects of sun damage. Fine lines, dry skin, loose skin, and dark spots can all be exacerbated by sunlight exposure.

 

Sunscreen is one of the most important preventative measures you can take for your skin. The benefits of sun protection are nearly limitless. You may reduce your risk of skin cancer, accelerate the healing process, and avoid painful and possibly damaging sunburns in a single action.

Sunscreen should be worn every day you will be exposed to the harmful UV rays of the sun, indoors or out. Arizona has an average of 286 sunny days each year, so it's most likely a good idea to apply it every morning. On the days you're going out, especially if you're planning on being in water or sweating profusely, make sure the sunscreen you choose is waterproof. If your skin is sensitive, you may need to try several different brands to find the one that works best for you.

 

Even if you don't have sunscreen on hand or are concerned that what you put on hours ago has lost its efficacy, you can still avoid UV damage. Cover exposed skin with a blanket or a full-length coat even if it can be uncomfortably warm. A wide-brimmed hat is always a smart option, even if you use sunscreen. If you don't have any additional clothing or a hat, find whatever shade you can. This might be an umbrella, a tree, a shop's awning, or even the shadow of a parked automobile. Anything is better than baking in the hot sun without sunscreen protection.

 

Dehydration and skin damage are two consequences of sun exposure that should be avoided. Always stay hydrated and carry water with you, especially during the summer months. Applying sunscreen should be part of your morning routine. It's also a good idea to bring some extra sunscreen wherever you go in case you expose yourself to more sun than anticipated.

 

You Can Beat the Heat at Liv  

Take advantage of the many summer heat-beating amenities you can find in your Liv Community, such as central air conditioning, a pool, and a shaded BBQ area.

A beautiful desertscape in the afternoon sun.