IN THIS ISSUE
 
* Newsletter July/August 2015
* Heatstroke
* Water: How much should you drink every day?
* Latest news
 
Newsletter July/August 2015
Dear readers,
 
I hope you are enjoying this hot summer with the highest temperatures and humidity since years.
In this issue we inform you about the risks of the heat and the importance to drink enough water.
 
Our team of Centro Mar y Salud wishes you a nice summer!!
 
Kind regards,
Bernadette
 
 
  
 
 
Heatstroke
 
What is a heatstroke?
A heatstroke is an emergency. It is the result of long, extreme exposure to the sun, in which a person does not sweat enough to lower the body temperature. The elderly, infants, people who work outdoors and those on certain types of medications are most susceptible to a heatstroke. It is a condition that develops rapidly and requires immediate medical treatment.
 
What causes a heatstroke?
Our bodies produce a tremendous amount of internal heat and we normally cool ourselves by sweating and radiating heat through the skin. However, in certain circumstances, such as extreme heat, high humidity or vigorous activity in the hot sun, this cooling system may begin to fail, allowing heat to build up to dangerous levels.
If a person becomes dehydrated and cannot sweat enough to cool their body, their internal temperature may rise to dangerously high levels, causing a heatstroke.
 
What are the symptoms of heatstroke?
Headache, dizziness, disorientation, agitation or confusion, sluggishness or fatigue, seizure, hot and dry skin that is flushed but not sweaty, a high body temperature, loss of consciousness, rapid pulse and hallucinations.
 
How is a heatstroke treated?
Call an emergency doctor as a heatstroke can cause permanent damage or death. Then get the person indoors, remove clothing and gently apply cool water to the skin followed by fanning to stimulate sweating, apply ice packs to the groin and armpits, have the person lie down in a cool area. Intravenous fluids are often necessary to compensate for fluid or electrolyte loss.
 
How can a heatstroke be prevented?
Drink plenty of fluids. Water and sports drinks are the drinks of choice; avoid tea, coffee, soda and alcohol as these can lead to dehydration. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing in light colours. Schedule vigorous activity and sports for cooler times of the day. Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a hat, sunglasses and using an umbrella. Try to spend as much time indoors as possible on very hot and humid days.
 
 
  
Water: How much should you drink every day?
 
Water is essential to good health-
 
How much water should you drink each day?
It's a simple question with no easy answers. Your water needs depend on many factors, including your health, how active you are and where you live. Because of the high temperatures in Spain in the summer we need to drink much more than we do in other seasons.
 
Health benefits of water
Water is your body's principal chemical component and makes up about 70 percent of your body weight. Every system in your body depends on water. For example, water flushes toxins out of vital organs, carries nutrients to your cells, and provides a moist environment for ear, nose and throat tissues.
Lack of water can lead to dehydration, a condition that occurs when you don't have enough water in your body to ca
rry out normal functions. Even mild dehydration can drain your energy and make you tired.
 
How much water do you need?
Every day you lose water through your breath, perspiration, urine and bowel movements. For your body to function properly, you must replenish its water supply by consuming beverages and foods that contain water.
So how much fluid does the average, healthy adult living in a temperate climate like in the UK need? The Institute of Medicine determined that an adequate intake for men is roughly about 13 cups (3 litres) of total beverages a day. For women the adequate intake is about 9 cups (2.2 litres) of total beverages a day.
During high temperatures, like we are having now, we need more of course.
 
What counts?
All beverages that contain water counts:  coffee, tea, soup, soft drinks, milk ...  However you should be aware that coffee and tea have a slight diuretic effect, causing a cup of coffee not to produce as much water as a glass of water. This effect is much greater in alcohol. 
 
Too little water intake, has multiple significant adverse effects for body and mind:
 
-A higher risk of health problems
 
Every system in our body depends on water. Water, for example, washes away the toxic substances away from vital organs and carries nutrients to the cells. It helps the brain and kidneys to function properly and improves the immune system.
A first consequence of a lack of water is dehydration. Symptoms include thirst, a dry or sticky mouth, tongue, lips or skin and mild headache. Severe dehydration we discussed above. Elderly and young children are at greater risk of dehydration.
Several studies have shown a link between drinking more water and a reduced risk of heart attack, kidney stones, colon cancer and bladder cancer.
 
-You burn fewer calories
 
By drinking lots of water, you increase your body's ability to burn fat.
 
-Your brain shrinks
 
90 Minutes of sweating without the compensation of this water loss, the brain will shrink as much as one year of age, British researchers found in a study on teenagers.
Dehydration has not only an effect on the size of the brain, but also costs more brain activity.
When dehydrated teenagers have subsequently drunk enough, their brains grew to their usual proportions again.
 
-You're getting bad-tempered
 
Dehydration not only affects your body, you also can be grouchy, according to a study by Tufts University. Students were asked 60 to 75 minutes of intensive exercise. One group was allowed to drink water during the training session, the rest was not. The second group was more tired, in a bad mood, tense and negative.
 
 
Latest news
  • New! YOGA! On the 1st of September there will start a new class of  hatha yoga given by Jaqueline Gijón-Avila. The class will be every Tuesday and Thursday from 17.15h - 18.30h. 5€/class. Please call us if you would like to come.
  • Janet van Dam, our Thermal Imaging Therapist, will be in our clinic from the 14th of September until the 23rd.
  • Our dermatologist, Dr. Vicente Aneri Más, will be available for appointments on the 4th of September.
  • Horacio pinilla Calle, homeopath, will be with us on the 13th of August.
  • If you would like to make an appointment with one of our doctors or therapists you can call us on 952 532 065 or email to info@centromarysalud.com.
  • If you would like a blood analysis we would like you to make the appointment between 09.00hr until 10.30hr in the morning.
Centro Mar Y Salud, paseo marítimo 4, El Morche, www.centromarysalud.com