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BY BRIAN FLEMING
The Battalion
I t’s June again, and yet another Texas sum
mer has begun. Soon enough, 100 degree
weather will become commonplace to
everyone trying to beat the heat.
With this comes many dangers that often
go overlooked. It is vital for anyone under the
Texas sun to be aware of easily avoidable con
ditions and to take the necessary precautions
to stay cool and safe.
In the pamphlet “Accent on Health,” the
Texas Department of Health (TDH) said many
signs of heat illness or overexposure to the sun
include profuse sweating, muscle cramps,
weakness, dizziness, nausea, weak but rapid
pulse and headaches. All can occur and should
be taken seriously.
“People with these symptoms should find
shade and ventilation and drink water,” the
TDH said.
The TDH said these symptoms can become
serious very quickly if they are ignored.
“If fluids are not quickly replaced, heat
stroke can follow causing extremely high body
temperature, red and dry skin, rapid pulse,
confusion, brain damage, loss of conscious
ness and eventually death,” the TDH said.
Margaret Griffith, Health Education Coordi
nator for the A.P. Beutel Health Center, also of
fered some advice for people in the sun.
Griffith said that along with the immediate
effects of sun exposure, longer-term effects can
occur as well. These could include heat stroke
and exhaustion.
Griffith said the most important thing to re
member is to drink plenty of water. She said
that drinking water can often times be ne
glected in the presence of certain summer ac
tivities, such as swimming or boating.
“The need for water often slips up on peo
ple as they are in or around it (water), so it is
important for people to be aware that just be
cause you are in water, does not mean you
don’t need water,” Griffith said.
Griffith said people should also be cautious
when drinking alcohol in the summer heat.
She said alcohol has an adverse effect in the
sun and causes dehydration and should be
avoided.
Griffith said soft drinks should probably be
avoided as well. Fruits are often good, includ
ing oranges and orange juice, which contain
potassium.
Sun exposure can also lead to many other
long-term consequences. Skin cancer is among
the worst.
The Merick Manual of Medical Information
lists skin cancer as the most common form of
cancer.
The American Academy of Dermatology
(AAD) offers literature geared toward skin pro
tection and the prevention of skin cancer.
Among the information provided by the AAD
is the story of Donald Biederman, who suffered
from skin cancer.
According to the AAD article, “‘Learn from
my Mistakes’ Urges Skin Cancer Survivor,” Bie
derman visited a dermatologist when he be
came concerned about a small red spot on his
nose.
What followed would change the entire
course of his life.
“I was very frightened when they told me
that I had a malignancy on my face,” Bieder
man said in the article.
Along with the malignancy on his nose, Bie
derman learned that the cancer was more ex
tensive than the initial red spot.
“Not only did it take more than 30 skin can
cer surgeries to remove the whole tumor, but
Biederman also lost his nose and the left side
of his face in the process,” the AAD said.
Even though the cancer was curable, Bie-
derman’s life will never be the same.
The AAD points out the time of day is a def
inite factor to consider. When in the sun, they
state that certain times can be worse than oth
ers.
“Avoid peak sunlight hours between 10 a.m.
and 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are the
strongest,” the AAD said.
The AAD also recommends applying a
broad-spectrum sunscreen with a Sun Protec
tion Factor of at least 15, wearing protective,
tightly woven clothing, wearing a wide-
brimmed hat and avoiding reflective surfaces
and tanning beds.
So as this summer begins, it is important for
everyone in and out of the sun to remember
that it can be harmful. Beating the heat can be
done if one is aware of the dangers involved
and how to avoid them.
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[(From top) David Stroman, a sophomore history major, looks on as Hutch Butler, a senior recreation park and tourism
[science major, plays hacky sack between classes; Kevin Coffman, a junior computer engineering major, spikes the vol-
[leyball at the Student Recreation Center; Tracie Hutzler, a junior business major, practices for a skills test during a ca-
[noeing class; J.P. Le Compte, a junior management major, swims to the hoop as Andy Vincent (right), a junior manage
ment major, and Chad Lee, a senior history major, go for the block. All three were taking the rest of the day off after
finals at the Rec. Center pool. (Right) Logan Edmission, a 13 year old from College Station, plays water basketball to
[cool off Monday afternoon at the Rec. Center pool.
MIKE FUENTES/Thk Battalion