Throughout the year, we look forward to summer to enjoy the sun, the beach, walking in the fresh air and many other activities that we can do in good weather. Also, summer is a time when many of my patients complain of heat, strong sunlight, shortness of breath, and other health problems.
I think that in this article it would be appropriate to answer the following question: Is the sun people’s friend or foe?
It is impossible to imagine our life without the sun. It gives us health, energizes us, improves our mood and instills optimism. So, is it our friend?
On the other hand, in hot weather, almost all chronic diseases pose a risk of exacerbation, and since chronic diseases are more common in older people, the sun represents an increased risk for them, especially for patients with mental disorders, depression, diabetes and pulmonary diseases, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Then, is it an enemy?
The main thing is a reasonable approach. The sun can be your friend and foe at the same time.
Let's see first why the sun can be your friend:
- being in the sun makes you feel healthy;
- the level of blood circulation increases;
- a feeling of cheerfulness appears;
- the sun is good for bones, teeth and the human hormonal system;
- vitamin D is produced under the influence of the sun;
- the sun can help get rid of pimples and psoriasis;
- the hormone serotonin is produced in the body by exposure to sunlight (the action of serotonin is manifested in the fact that you feel joy, a surge of strength, desire to work, lead an active lifestyle);
- with the help of sunlight, the body supports the synthesis of the hormone insulin (it affects the metabolism in almost all tissues and reduces the concentration of glucose in the blood) and the balance of skin microflora.
Now, let's see why the sun can become your enemy. Excessive sun exposure can cause:
- premature aging of the skin (deep wrinkles that cannot be smoothed out), the appearance of spots and freckles;
- heatstroke;
- sunburn or even skin cancer;
- reactions to certain types of food, drugs and cosmetics;
- he appearance of irritation in the form of watery blisters;
- loss of immune defenses;
- eye diseases;
- lowering blood pressure (therefore, to maintain normal blood flow, the heart must work in an enhanced mode, and sometimes at the limit of its capabilities);
- in patients with coronary heart disease, high air temperature can cause angina and tachycardia attacks, as well as ischemic attacks.
A little confusing, isn't it? But there is a rule, which is also the answer to the question: Everything is useful in moderation!
In fact, I wanted to tell you that we don't know how to use the sun properly for it to become our friend.