Six In The Beach

My friends prepare your swim wears because summer is just around the corner. By this time, I am sure all of us are already thinking where to go this coming holy week. No doubt, Bora would be one of our top choices.

Since most of us will be going to the beaches this time of the year and for sure we will be eating and partying a lot in those places, allow me to give you some lessons on how to prevent or stop medical conditions that could spoil our summer getaway.

Lesson I: Motion Sickness

Motion sickness is a very common disturbance of the inner ear that is caused by repeated motion such as from the swell of the sea, the movement of a car, the motion of a plane in turbulent air, etc. In the inner ear (which is also called the labyrinth), motion sickness affects the sense of balance and equilibrium and, hence, the sense of spatial orientation.

There is no difference between motion sickness and sea sickness. Some people experience nausea and even vomiting when riding in an airplane, automobile, or amusement park ride. This condition is generally called motion sickness. Many people experience motion sickness when riding on a boat or ship. This is commonly referred to as sea sickness (mal de mer), even though it is the same disorder. They are one and the same phenomenon and will subsequently be referred to as motion sickness.

The most common signs and symptoms of motion sickness include: nausea, paleness of the skin, cold sweats, vomiting, dizziness, headache, increased salivation and fatigue.

Here are some tips in order to avoid motion sickness. Eat lightly before embarking on your trip. Take your position near the front of the vehicle whether it’s a car or a boat. Face the direction you're headed to keep eye and body sensations in sync with each other. Keep your eye trained on the horizon or on a fixed spot ahead of you. Keep the window open and fresh air accessible at all times.

Taking medicine like Meclizine HCL (Bonamine) 12.5 mg/ tab for children between 5 to 10 years old and 25-50 mg/tab for adults and children more than 11 years old to be taken 1 hour before travel is also very helpful.

Lesson II: Food Allergy

Food allergy is an abnormal response to a food triggered by your body's immune system. Allergic reactions to food can sometimes cause serious illness and death. Tree nuts and peanuts are the leading causes of deadly allergic reactions called anaphylaxis.

According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the most common foods that could trigger allergic reactions for adults include: fish and shellfish such as shrimps, lobsters and crabs, peanuts, tree nuts such as walnuts and eggs. For children, it includes eggs, milk and peanuts.

The most common signs and symptoms of food allergy include: itchiness of the skin, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. In severe cases, patients can develop eczema, hives, asthma attacks and anaphylactic shock.

I strongly advised that you bring antihistamines with you like Loratadine (Claritin) 10 mg/tab to be taken during allergic reactions once a day for adults and children more than 12 years old and Loaratadine (Claritin) 5 mg/5 ml one teaspoon for children between 2-12 years old weighing below 30 kg and two teaspoon weighing more than 30 kg .

In cases where in allergic reaction is already severe, visit the nearest clinic or hospital for proper management.

Lesson III: Indigestion

Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia, is a term used to describe one or more symptoms including a feeling of fullness during a meal, uncomfortable fullness after a meal, and burning or pain in the upper abdomen. Indigestion is common in adults and can occur due to over eating.

The following are some tips that could help in treating indigestions: eating several small, low fat meals throughout the day at a slow pace, refraining from smoking, abstaining from consuming coffee, carbonated drinks and alcohol, by stopping the use of medications that could irritate the stomach lining like aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs and getting enough rest.

Antacids, such as Aluminum Hydroxide 200mg / Magnesium Hydroxide 200 mg (Maalox) chewable tablets are usually the first drugs recommended to relieve symptoms of indigestion. You can chew 2 tabs every 6 hours to relieve the above condition. For children, you can give them Maalox suspension 2 teaspoon every 6 hours for hyperacidity.

Lesson IV: Food Poisoning

Food poisoning and diarrhea can seem even worse when you are traveling. Try to restrict travel to areas with high standards of hygiene.

Food poisoning is a common problem that can be easily treated. Each year, an estimated 76 million people in the United States become ill from the food they eat, and about 5,000 of them die according to the CDCP, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Beef and poultry are generally the main causes of food-borne illness, but a number of other foods also pose a risk. . A recent study shows the top 10 riskiest poisoning foods based on the number of outbreaks and cases.

Surprisingly, some healthy foods are considered high-risk for poisoning outbreaks. Leafy greens are on the top of list, most likely due to poor handling practices and contaminated washing equipment. Eggs have the second highest number of outbreaks, with most of them caused by salmonella. Half of all cases of egg-related illness are in restaurants. Tuna rounds up the top three as fresh fish can decay soon after being caught, leading to poisoning. Oysters, potatoes, cheese, ice cream, tomatoes, sprouts and berries complete the top 10 list.

Food poisoning is cause by harmful bacteria, with symptoms ranging from upset stomach to fever and severe vomiting and diarrhea.

For diarrhea, you can take Loperamide HCl (Imodium) 2 mg two capsules initially then 1 capsule after every diarrhea. I also advised you to drink plenty of water and energy drinks like Gatorade to prevent dehydration. However, if symptoms persist, go to the nearest hospital for further management.

Lesson V: Sunburn

Most of us aren’t really keen on using sunblock yet, but it’s never too late to start protecting our skin from sun damage.

Pick a sunblock whose Sun Protection Factor (SPF) fits your purpose. If you’re going to be out in the sun briefly, you may go for sunblock with SPF 15. This means that the sunblock is formulated to protect your skin from the sun for 150 minutes. SPF 30, on the other hand, promises to give you 300 minutes of sun protection. The ideal sunblock should contain titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, which keep dangerous ultraviolet rays from hurting your skin. It should also have helioplex, which helps preserve the sunblock’s SPF. Moreover, it helps if your sunblock is enriched with vitamin E.

Remember to put sunblock on early. It takes time for sunblock to be absorbed by your skin, so apply it 15 to 30 minutes before you go out into the sun. Some dermatologists recommend that you reapply every hour, while others urge you to do so every two hours. The best thing for you to do would be to reapply as often as you see fit or depending on the sensitivity of your skin. Don’t forget to apply sunblock on often-forgotten spots like your nape, ears, and eyelids. Harsh sunlight spares no part of your skin.

Lesson VI: Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is a form of hyperthermia, an abnormally elevated body temperature with accompanying physical and neurological symptoms. Unlike heat cramps and heat exhaustion, two forms of hyperthermia that are less severe, heat stroke is a true medical emergency that can be fatal if not properly and promptly treated.

Symptoms of heat stroke can sometimes mimic those of heart attack or other conditions. Sometimes a person experiences symptoms of heat exhaustion before progressing to heat strokes.

Different people may have different symptoms and signs of heat stroke. But common symptoms and signs of heat stroke include: high body temperature, absence of sweating with hot red or flushed dry skin, rapid pulse, difficulty of breathing, strange behavior, hallucinations, confusion, agitation, disorientation, seizure and coma.

Victims of heat stroke must receive immediate treatment to avoid permanent organ damage. First and foremost, cool the victim. Get the victim to a shady area, remove clothing, apply cool or tepid water to the skin (for example you may spray the victim with cool water from a garden hose), fan the victim to promote sweating and evaporation, and place ice packs under armpits and groins. Monitor body temperature with a thermometer and continue cooling efforts until the body temperature drops to 101-102°F (38.3-38.8°C). Always notify emergency services immediately.

The most important measures to prevent heat strokes are to avoid becoming dehydrated and to avoid vigorous physical activities in hot and humid weather. Take frequent breaks to hydrate yourself. Wear hats and light-colored, lightweight, loose clothes. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and tea which may lead to dehydration.

Last but not the least, if you are taking medications like anti-hypertensive as your maintenance, don't forget to take it with you before leaving for your summer vacation. Happy trip my friend!