Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion

Q: What is the difference between dehydration, heat stroke and heat exhaustion (symptoms, conditions, treatments)?

A: Dehydration occurs when you lose more fluid than you consume and the fluid shortage impacts normal bodily functions.  Dehydration results from illness, exercise, exposure to high temperatures, and not drinking enough water.  Symptoms include:

• Constipation
• Thirst
• Headache
• Lower urine output
• Dizziness

Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke are categorized as heat-related illnesses that are caused by dehydration and prolonged exposure to high temperatures or vigorous activity in hot /humid conditions.  Heat Exhaustion is less severe than Heat Stroke, with Heat Exhaustion leading to Heat Stroke if not treated properly.

Both illnesses occur when the body can no longer regulate its temperature.  During heat exhaustion, the body unsuccessfully attempts to lower the body temperature by sweating.  It is unsuccessful because the environment is too hot.  Heat stroke arises when the body becomes dehydrated and the ability to sweat is diminished or eliminated.  As a result, your body produces more heat than it can release and the body temperature continues to rise.  Heat Stroke is classified as a body temperature above 104˚ F.

Heat Exhaustion Symptoms include:                          

• Elevated body temperature                            
• Profuse sweating
• Muscle cramps
• Rapid Heartbeat
  
  

Heat Stroke Symptoms include:

• Body temperature above 104˚ F
• No sweating
• Hyperventilation
• Abnormal mental state (including coma)
   

Heat Exhaustion is treated by drinking fluids, moving to a cool location, and discontinuing exercise. 

Heat Stroke is treated by moving to a cool location, removing excess clothes, applying a cold pack/taking a cold bath and calling 911.  Heat stroke can lead to brain damage or death if not promptly treated. 

The following websites were used as references in answering the question:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dehydration/DS00561

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heat-stroke/DS01025

http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/heat-exhaustion

 

Organic vs. Conventional Foods

Q: Is organic food more nutritious or more beneficial than conventional food?

A: Consumers of organic food cite three reasons for choosing organic over conventional food.

•         Safety - Organic food is generally grown without chemical fertilizers, pesticides, antibiotics or hormones.

•         Environmentally friendly - Organic farming is generally more sustainable.

•         Healthier – Consumers believe that organic food is higher in nutritional value

•         It is true that organic foods tend to be more sustainable and grown with fewer chemicals, but there is still debate on whether or not organic food is healthier than conventional food. 

•         Current research indicates the following:

•         A peer review of 50 studies conducted over the last 50 years found minor nutritional differences between organic and conventional foods.

•         One study found no difference in the body’s ability to uptake and process dietary minerals derived from organic or conventional foods.

•         Organic foods do carry less pesticide residue compared to conventional foods.  However, most organic and conventional foods did not exceed government safety limits.

Current research does not indicate that organic food is more nutritious.  As the popularity of organic food continues to grow, the debate will continue and further research will provide greater clarity on the subject.

The following websites were used as references in answering the question:

http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/organic-food-no-more-nutritious-than-conventionally-grown-food-201209055264

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/organic-food/NU00255

http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/90/3/680.full

Hydration and the Flu

Q: I have always been told to drink clear soft drinks versus water after the stomach flu.  Why?

A: When recovering from the flu, the goal is to increase your stamina by gradually increasing your fluid and food intake.  The first step is drinking clear liquids to hydrate and replenish nutrients that were lost due to the flu.

A clear soft drink is not necessarily easier on the stomach or better than water when starting the hydration process.  The best liquid is dependent on the body’s needs, what a person can keep down, and personal preference.

The following liquids are generally prescribed:

•         Water – purest form of hydration available

•         Clear soft drinks

•         Usually free of caffeine and other additives

•         Drink it flat – carbonation may irritate the stomach

•         High sugar content may irritate stomach

•         Sports drinks to boost the body’s electrolytes

•         High sugar content and additives may irritate stomach

•         Clear broths

•         Low acid fruit juices

Carrots and Vision

Q: Do carrots actually improve one’s vision?

A: Carrots can improve one’s vision if the person’s diet is lacking in Vitamin A.

Carrots are a good source of vitamin A, which is essential for good vision.  Consuming the recommended daily amount of Vitamin A is known to provide the following eye benefits:

•         Protects the surface of the eye (cornea)

•         Delays the onset of age-related macular degeneration

•         Prevents dry eye syndrome (chronic lack of sufficient lubrication and moisture on the surface of the eye)

Consuming the recommended daily amount of Vitamin A is easily achieved by consuming a well balanced diet.  Vitamin A deficient diets are rare in the United States and common food sources are dairy products, fish, fortified cereals, fruits, and vegetables.

It is important to keep in mind that Vitamin A helps maintain good vision and delays some eye issues, but it will not prevent the development of all sight-threatening conditions.

 

"Beer Belly"

Q: Is there any truth to the phrase “beer belly?”

A: The phrase is generally associated with men that have large stomachs.  It implies a direct relationship between beer consumption and stomach size.

There is some evidence that increased alcohol intake leads to larger waist sizes, but the main culprit is calories.  When you consume more calories than you burn, the excess calories are stored as fat.

Age, sex, and hormone levels determine where the fat is stored:

•         Men tend to store fat in the midsection.

•         As people age, they lose muscle mass.  Less muscle mass means a lower metabolism.  Lower metabolism with no change in caloric intake leads to fat storage. 

•         Hormone levels decline in men and women as they age.  The decline results in more fat storage at the midsection for both men and women.

To reduce or eliminate a beer belly you need to burn more calories than you consume.  One of the most efficient methods to achieve this caloric deficit is by increasing your lean muscle mass through strength training.  More muscle mass means a higher metabolism and an increase in the number of calories burned by the body.

Popping Blisters

Q: An earlier blog post from July discussed the causes of blisters.  Should I pop a blister when I get one?

A: Popping a blister may lead to infection.  The best treatment for a blister is to let the body’s natural healing process occur.

When a blister develops, the body responds by forming new skin underneath the affected area.  The fluid-filled blister keeps the new skin clean, moist, and free of dirt and debris.  Eventually the fluid is absorbed and the blister dries out, breaks down, and exposes the new skin.

In some cases, letting the natural healing process occur is not an option (e.g. work).  If you need to pop a blister:

•         Use a sterilized needle or razor

•         Cleanse the area thoroughly and make a small hole

•         Squeeze out the fluid, but do not remove the blister

•         Let the old skin remain to protect the new skin that is developing

Gluten

Q: What is gluten?  Why are some foods gluten-free?

A: Gluten is a naturally occurring protein found in grains such as wheat, barley, rye, and oats.  Its unique structure results in the elastic consistency found in the dough derived from these grains. 

Over the centuries, the elastic consistency led to the use of these grains in breads and other baked goods which are staples in most diets.

Some people have intolerance to gluten.  Symptoms of the intolerance range from headaches, bloating, diarrhea, weight loss, and malnutrition.  People with the worst cases of intolerance are sometimes diagnosed with celiac disease.  This is an autoimmune disorder and is characterized by the reduced ability of the small intestine to properly absorb nutrients from certain foods.

A gluten-free diet is prescribed to minimize or eliminate the symptoms of the intolerance.  Some foods are naturally gluten-free (including some grains) while others are made to be gluten-free.  The link below from the Mayo Clinic provides a list of gluten-free foods.

References:

http://www.celiac.com/

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gluten-free-diet/my01140