Global warming-fueled summer could lead to medical troubles

By: Brett Gifford

Posted: 5/13/09

Finals week is all that stands between students and the freedom of summer, but with the sunny weather comes seasonal health issues.

Eugene Cordero, an associate professor of meteorology, said that San Jose tied or broke its all-time record highs for the 20th and 21st of April during this year's mid-April heat wave.

The highs on campus for those days were 92 degrees and 94 degrees, respectively, according to the Weather.com Web site.

It is difficult to predict if the summer months will follow suit, but because of global warming, more record-breaking temperatures can be expected, Cordero said.

Skin issues become a problem because of ample sunshine, said Stephanie Bowens, a senior health science major.

"Getting too tan can cause complications that lead to skin cancer," Bowens said. "It is so important to use SPF 15 sun lotion."

Nine out of 10 cases of non-melanoma skin cancers are a result of ultraviolet radiation from the sun, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation's Web site.

People of all races and skin colors need to use sunblock, Bowens said.

Although skin cancers, such as melanoma, are uncommon among African-Americans, Latinos and Asians, it is often fatal for people of these populations, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation's Web site.

"Being outside between 10 and two, you should definitely be wearing sunscreen and a hat, or try to limit your exposure in the middle of the day," said Cordero.

The Ultraviolet Index, more commonly known as the U.V. Index, is a scale developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the National Weather Service to measure ultraviolet radiation levels.

Cordero said it is strongest in the middle of the day, during the summer.

Air pollution, in the form of ozone, is a major cause of respiratory illness in the summer months, according to YourLungHealth.org.

"Asthma begins to flare in the summer," Bowens said. "Although we have smog all year, the summer heat activates it."

The intense direct sunlight of the summer months plays a major role in ozone formation, making it primarily a daytime issue, according to YouLungHealth.org.

On average, we have 10 to 12 Spare the Air days per summer, Cordero said.

Spare the Air is a program that warns residents of dangerous air pollution and urges people to drive less and reduce their ozone emissions, according to the Spare the Air Web site.

"Those will be days when people … if they are going to exercise [should] do it in the morning," Cordero said, noting that ozone pollution gets worse toward the afternoon.

The high temperatures of summer also increase the risk of dehydration and heat stroke.

"It is so important to drink water - not juice, not soda, not tea, just water," Bowens said.

According to Quickcare.org, trying to rehydrate with sports drinks, intended for active, healthy individuals, can aggravate vomiting and diarrhea, commonly associated with dehydration ? intensifying dehydration.

Heat stroke is caused by overheating, when ones body cannot radiate heat or sweat enough to cool it, according to Medicinenet.com.

Victims of heat stroke should get immediate medical assistance, re-hydrate and get out of the sun, according to Medicinenet.com.

"It happens a lot at amusement parks - large areas; lots of walking; hot, sunny days; rides affect blood pressure, so it's bound to happen for some people," Bowens said.

Some students are finding ways to beat the heat.

Antonio Walker, a junior accounting major, said he plans to avoid the summer heat by spending his time in air-conditioned classrooms during summer school at San Jose City College.

"I'm going to be chilling in the Student Union all day," Walker said. "Just chilling in places where air-conditioning is."

Adriana Vogt, a sophomore kinesiology major, said she would be spending her weekdays in the air-conditioning at work.

"I work every day, from nine to five, and then I practice in the morning, from seven to nine, in the pool, so it's not really ever a problem for me," Vogt said. "I like to go outside though. I don't mind the heat."

Sidebar:

Heat Stroke

Cause: Overheating due to dehydration, extreme heat, high humidity, or overexertion in hot weather. Victims may or may not experience heat exhaustion prior to heat stroke symptoms.

Symptoms: High body temperature, lack of sweat, rapid pulse, difficulty breathing, hallucinations, strange behavior, confusion, agitation, disorientation, seizure and coma.

Treatment: Get immediate medical attention. Get the victim out of the sun. Apply cool water to the victim's skin while fanning to promote evaporation. Apply ice packs under the victim's armpits and groin. Rehydrate the victim. Get immediate medical attention.

-Medicinenet.com