Azernews.Az

By Sabina Idayatova

Lovely summer is ahead, with the warmest and sunny days in store for us. However, the prolongation of the sunny hours that brighten up our life and souls also has adverse effects due to the danger of excessive sunlight causing undesirable impact on human health.

During the summer season when the air and the sea water temperatures are high, people often go to the beaches for relaxation and enjoy sunbathing. But the point is that they should receive a proper dose of sunlight that is beneficial for their health.

The impact of sunrays has always been a subject of discussion. Rapid warming of the weather in the world, in particular, up to 40° C and even higher temperature, which has recently been observed in summer in Azerbaijan, warns people that they should be more careful with their health. However, today the adverse side of the eternal energy source is on the agenda because the shield from harmful sunrays -- the ozone layer -- is shrinking and thus is unable to properly protect people from the detrimental effects of sunlight.

The spectral composition of sunlight consists of ultraviolet (UVA, UVB, UVC wavelengths), X-rays, radio beams, infrared and visible rays.

According to dermovenerologist and dermo-cosmetogist Jala Hasanova, the UVA and infrared rays pervade the deeper layers of the skin, generating dryness and premature aging, and the UVB rays cause sunburns and pigment patches. UVB and UVC radiation increases the risk of skin cancer.

"The sun rays affecting the skin improperly result in acute and chronic diseases. Erythema, oedema, scabies, pigmentation, photosensitivity, and immunodepressive reactions are the kinds of acute cases, while photoaging, hyper-pigmentation, solar keratosis, melanosis, skin cancer, etc. are the chronic types of sunrays' harm on human health. All of the above-mentioned cases arise differently depending on the photo type, individual sensitivity, structure of the skin, age and gender," Hasanova said.

She said sunscreens are widely used to reduce the harmful effect at the contact line of sunrays on the skin. The indicator of the sun protection factor (SPF) should be no less than 50 during the summer months. People with more pale skin should prefer creams with higher SPF, measuring 50+, 80, and 100.

SPF is the index that indicates the time needed for UVB rays to penetrate and redden the skin when using sunscreen, compared to how long it would take to redden without using protection. For example, a product with SPF 30 means that it will take 30 times longer to redden the skin when using the product, compared to not applying sunscreen at all.

Children and women's skin suffers much from the harmful effects of solar rays in comparison with men or older people's skin. Dry skin is relatively more sensitive to sunlight rather than the oily (greasy) one. It is very important to drink 2-3 liters of water throughout the day, as it is the best way to nourish the skin.

Hasanova recommends parents to be especially attentive to their children in summer. Thus, besides the benefit of sunlight, which strengthens the bone system, children may contract eye or skin diseases in dirty pools, can be exposed to sunburns, sunstrokes, catch gastroenterostomy diseases while using unhygienic water, etc.

Furthermore, children should be protected from sunlight with 50 SPF sunblock creams enriched with vitamins B3, E and C. At the same time, syrups containing the extracts of grape and broccoli also reduce the risk entailed by the impact of UV rays of child skin in summer.

People suffering from blood pressure, obesity and heart problems, adults, pregnant women, and cancer patients should be particularly protected from the harmful effects of the sun by refraining from spending much energy and staying away from closed and airless places in hot days. They are recommended to take lukewarm showers frequently, wear light-colored and comfortable clothes, and hats with broad edges.

Pregnant women should be more careful because depending on hormonal changes, the skin becomes more sensitive to sunrays in summer, which makes sunburns on the body likely. Future mothers should take sunbaths only upon the recommendation of the doctor.

During summer vacations sunstrokes are the main danger as the sun directly shines onto the person's body when lying on the beach or beside the pool.

A bottle of water could prevent dehydration and protect one against experiencing sun or heat stroke. Besides, it is necessary to cool down every now and then with a jump into the cool sea or pool, which will allow you to enjoy warm sunrays without the danger of sunstroke.

Moreover, sunlight is the primary source of UV radiation that can damage eye tissue. Results from dozens of studies suggest that spending long hours in the sun without protection of the eyes increases the likelihood of developing eye diseases, including cataracts. The 1998 Journal of the American Medical Association reported that even low amounts of sunlight can increase the risk of developing eye disorders. The excess exposure to UV radiation may increase the incidence of cataracts causing the loss of transparency in the lens, clouding vision. Another potential effect of UV radiation is a "burning" of the eye surface, called "snow blindness" or photokeratitis caused by sunlight. The effects usually disappear within a couple of days, but may lead to further complications later in life.

From this point of view, sunglasses and sunshade (umbrella) are the handy protective means. The sunglasses should be chosen carefully as low-quality glasses may cause more problems instead of protecting the eyes from harmful solar rays. The frame of the sun glasses should be proportionate with the size of the person's face, with the UV protection sticker on it, and the glasses should fit well to your eyes. The spectacles should be made from glass with 70-80 UV radiation protection.

Also, preventive measures can be taken in advance to reduce the harm of sunrays, such as not standing under the sun without head-wear, alternating bathing and lying on the sand, not sleeping under the sunlight, and not walking excessively during the hottest time of the day. Moreover, with the help of foods and drinks consumed on a daily basis we can strengthen our body and prevent the negative effects of sunrays. Such products include green tea, broccoli, soybeans, tomatoes, omega 3 fatty acids, fruits containing vitamin C and so on.

Nevertheless, it does not mean that we should stay away from sunrays as they have a positive effect on human health as well.

"Ultraviolet rays are involved in the synthesis of vitamin D that is important for the prophylaxis of rachitis on kids and osteoporosis on adults," Hasanova said. "Sunlight contributes to the regulation of phosphorus and calcium digestion, wound healing, the strengthening of bone-muscle rack, etc. However, sunbaths and artificial sun tan solarium are useful for the treatment of psoriasis, eczema, acne skin disease. The point is that both natural solar and artificial rays should be availed of properly."

According to Hasanova, taking sunbaths is beneficial before 12 a.m. and after 4 p.m. for 0.5 and 2 hours, while artificial sunlight can be taken one to three times a week for 5-15 minutes.

Surely, sunrays, a gift of nature, are of irreplacable importance for human beings. First of all, they destroy various harmful microorganisms on human body, especially those on the skin.

According to research, the Sun accelerates the hormons awakeining a positive mood in the human brain. The sun also regulates the sense of hunger, therefore, during summer months the need for food is reduced.

On the other hand, sufficient sunrays increase cognition. American scientists' research revealed that the rays of the sun protect people against the effects of depression.

Nevertheless, there are currently no precise recommendations on the absolutely safe level of lifetime sun exposure. Some scientists suggest that it is inappropriate to recommend total avoidance of sunlight. Sunlight happens to be one of the greatest healing remedies that you can find in nature. The sun provides the energy that all living creatures need in order to exist on Earth.

Even the rise of the sun brings people a new life, the enthusiasm to live and create. May all of our days be sunny!