Recognizing Signs of Heat Stroke If the idea of suffering heat exhaustion or heat stroke sounds scary— well, it is. Heat stroke can be a life-threatening emergency, and anyone who’s doing intense physical activity should be aware of the signs. Heat-related illness will usually start with heat cramps; when you feel moderate to intense pain or spasms because of muscle contractions brought on by the heat. If your body temperature continues to rise and reaches 104 degrees Fahrenheit, you can suffer heat exhaustion, marked by nausea, vomiting, headaches, and weakness. When your body temperature exceeds 104 degrees, then you can suffer heat stroke. Your body temperature is now so high that, in addition to fatigue and nausea, you will have rapid breathing and heart rate, and you could feel confused, irritable, or dizzy. You might have vision problems or slurred speech. If you or somebody you’re with is potentially experiencing heatstroke, you need medical attention immediately to prevent damage to brain, heart, or other vital organs. While you wait for emergency assistance, move to a cool place inside or in the shade and try to cool down with fans, damp washcloths, or a drink of cold water.
Oh, And One More Thing: Sweating Doesn’t Burn Calories Some people think exercising in the heat is better for their fitness efforts because they’ll just sweat away excess weight—and while that’s technically true, it’s going to be mostly water weight, not fat. Yes, it does take some cardiovascular effort to cool your body down when it’s hot outside, so there might be a slightly increased caloric expenditure above exercising at a comfortable temperature. But not enough to make a significant difference. If you weigh yourself after an outdoor workout and see that you lost a few pounds, it’s not because you burned off fat (remember, it takes a deficit of 3,500 calories to lose 1 pound of bodyfat). Instead, that’s just the weight of all the water that has left your body via perspiration. Be sure to replenish those fluids by drinking two glasses of water for every pound you lost. Let summer be a time for enjoying the outdoors, but don’t force yourself if it’s making you miserable or if you’re stressed about heat safety—exercise should be an enjoyable activity! If you find the idea of going outside turns you off from exercise, then it’s best to stick to indoor workouts with your treadmill, elliptical, stationary bike, or weight room.
HEALTH & BEAUTY HEALTH
A Quick Look at FDA Regulation By Dylan Roche You hear phrases like “FDA-approved” or “according to the FDA” all the time, but what does that exactly mean? The FDA—the Food & Drug Administration—sounds like it has a lot of say in what hits the market. But what falls under the umbrella of its authority? And what exactly is this agency looking for when it regulates so many products? If the FDA approves something, does that definitely mean it’s safe? More importantly, if the FDA doesn’t approve something, does that mean it’s dangerous? First, it’s important to understand the purpose of the FDA. This agency operates under the United States Department of Health and Human Services and exists to protect public health by regulating (as its name suggests) food and drugs, as well as other products like cosmetics and tobacco. It’s the agency that ensures drugs are safe and effective, and that you have all the information you need as a consumer to make responsible choices. The FDA was established in 1906 via the Pure Food and Drugs Act with the intention of preventing abuse or negligence on the part of manufacturers. Since then, the agency has grown to be the reigning body in charge of: Approval of drugs before they hit the U.S. market
Inspection of production facilities that make food, medicine, and tobacco
Regulation of the marketing and distribution of tobacco products
Recalls on products with safety concerns
whatsupmag.com | June 2021 | What’s Up? Annapolis
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