It’s no secret people go outside during summer’s warm temperatures. Did you know exercising outside during hot weather can actually cause your body harm? In certain situation this scenario is a reality. We here at Odom Health & Wellness decided to put together a few tips to help keep you healthy and safe this summer season- especially when exercising!
#1. Know what to look for when it comes to heat related illness.
Heat cramps are painful muscle contractions, mainly affecting the calves, quadriceps and abdominals. Affected muscles may feel firm to the touch.
With heat exhaustion, your body temperature rises as high as 104 F (40 C) and you may experience nausea, vomiting, headache, fainting, weakness and cold, clammy skin. If left untreated, this can lead to heatstroke.
Heatstroke is a life-threatening emergency condition that occurs when your body temperature is greater than 104 F (40 C). Your skin may be hot, but your body may stop sweating to help cool itself. You may develop confusion and irritability. You need immediate medical attention to prevent brain damage, organ failure or even death.
(source; The Mayo Clinic)
The best way to stay safe when working out in the sun is to know your limits and know about your medications. Some medications are heat sensitive, which means by being out in the sun for long periods of time the medication becomes ineffective. This could prove to be disastrous for so many reasons, more so if the medication is prescribed to control blood pressure.
Always wear sunscreen, drink water in moderation and wear lightweight clothing, too. Knowing if your medication is heat sensitive and following our notes above will help you stay safe while exercising this summer.
We do offer outdoor boot camps that are medically supervised, which takes the worry out of getting fit and losing weight. If you would like to join us on Thursdays for the outdoor boot camp sessions then call the office for more info.
Stay safe out there,
Odom Health & Wellness