The summer festival season is finally here – and the heat continues!
We hope the warm weather was what you wanted – all of us realize it’s unpleasant to be stuck in a chilly, wet field and watch your wellies slowly sink into the mud.
If it allows mud, festival life it could be phenomenal – but it surely is just not without dangers. This classic festival combination of an excessive amount of alcohol and sun can lead to greater than just dehydration and a terrible hangover the next day.
So if you’re heading out on a festival adventure this summer, here’s some advice out of your friendly family anatomist.
Extreme temperatures
Consider a visit to Glastonbury as you would a visit to the Gobi Desert desert:Festival attendees could also be exposed to a variety of temperatures, even in summer. While full sun could cause temperatures to soar during the day, evening temperatures can plum.
Heat exhaustion has a complete range of accompanying symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, headaches, weakness and others – combined with extreme temperature. If you start to experience any of those symptoms, stop and think. Once you realize you’re overheating, you can reverse the situation.
Find shelter, drink loads of fluids and funky yourself by any means available: undress, apply cold compresses and, if possible, sit in front of a fan.
Heatstroke may develop in consequence of heat exhaustion. This is just not a trivial condition. This is a medical emergency that will result in seizures, collapse and even death. Failure to respond to half-hour of cooling or severe symptoms akin to lack of consciousness, disorientation or rapid heartbeat require immediate attention.
Development hypothermia at a festival could seem unlikely, but it surely is entirely possible – and it’s the same medical emergency as heat stroke. Hypothermia is defined as a body temperature lower than 35°C, which affects the functioning of all organ systems of the body. Symptoms akin to shivering, confusion, and cold, pale or blotchy skin indicate hypothermia. Warm up by layering on clothes and blankets call for emergency help.
Even if it’s cloudy, there is a risk of sunburn during outdoor festivals. Ignore social media influencers I counsel against it using sunscreen: protect your skin and protective layer with an element of fifty. Remember to reapply it after washing (yes, you should still wash – even at a festival) and a minimum of every two hours.
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Alcohol and fluid balance
Alcohol can contribute to a terrific festival experience when I used it properly but it may possibly also cause more trouble than it’s value.
Take dehydration first. You may notice that you pee more often after drinking alcohol, and since you’re taking in fluids, this is smart, but it surely’s not an easy case of equal volume. Alcohol does diuretic effect on the body, which increases the amount of urine excreted by the kidneys. It does this by affecting a hormone called vasopressin, which causes the kidneys to retain water as a substitute of excreting it. Alcohol inhibits the release of vasopressin, causing you to lose more water and develop into susceptible to dehydration.
Dehydration it may possibly give you a hell of a hangover, but in addition other more serious conditions like convulsions, shock and heat stroke. Even if you don’t drink alcohol, it’s still needed stay hydrated throughout the day, aiming for approx 1.5 to 2 liters non-alcoholic fluids during waking hours. But you’ll need extra in hot weather or if you exercise (yes, that features dancing).
Then there it’s alcohol poisoning if you drink it in excess – again, this is just not trivial. Diabetic those attending the festival have to be much more careful because alcohol can interfere with the conversion of glycogen stored in the liver into glucose, leading to critical low blood sugar.
As in any social space, caution have to be exercised drink jumping. Do not leave drinks unattended and watch out when accepting drinks from other people.
Sexual health
Transmission sexually transmitted diseases (STI) at festivals has been the subject of much research that has taken place conscious health campaigns. Some studies have checked effects of using dating apps about casual sex amongst festival goers. Some research suggests this will likely be an STI festival broadcast higher than estimated.
Remember it hormonal contraception including Mirena pills, implants and coils don’t protect against sexually transmitted diseases – use as a substitute: condom. Use dental dam during oral sex can also reduce the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease.
Conception during the festival is just not only a Bridget Jones plot.
No type of contraception guarantees 100% protection against pregnancy and sweating. this might not be prevented. Therefore, if you miss a pill or your condom breaks, it is necessary to seek advice out of your doctor as soon as possible about what to do next.
So to make sure that you have a terrific time this festival season, pack loads of sunscreen and condoms, stay hydrated and limit your alcohol intake. Report any concerns to first responders or medical personnel on call. After all, you don’t desire heatstroke, dehydration, or an STD to develop into the highlight of your festival.