Sunshine: Dangerous or Healthy

Human beings are naturally inclined to seek out the sunlight and enjoy it, and rightfully so. Sunlight aids the human body in producing vitamin D, an essential component of a healthy, functioning body.

The UV rays produced by sunlight are essential to human wellness.

When deprived of exposure to the sun, many people experience severe mood changes such as depression and anxiety, a condition often experienced in darker winter months. When it is severe, this condition is termed Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Additionally, the sun helps the circadian rhythms which naturally maintain the body’s sleep schedule by helping the body determine when to release a surge of melatonin, a natural hormone which relaxes the body and encourages sleep.

With that in mind, on the other side of the equation, overexposure to sunlight can be extremely dangerous, even fatal. There are a variety of negative effects caused by long term overexposure to the sun.

Heatstroke or Sunstroke

One of the most immediate problems faced by people who are overexposed to sunlight for an extended period of time is hyperthermia, also known as heatstroke or sunstroke when caused by environmental exposure.

This happens when the body is unable to regulate its temperature because of the extreme conditions caused by high outdoor temperatures.

While heatstroke can be relatively minor if treated quickly, it can become a serious medical emergency if it goes untreated.

The spike in body temperature that accompanies hyperthermia is serious, and someone suffering from heatstroke should be taken to a cool area immediately. Administering very cold water by mouth is essential when treating heatstroke, as it can easily cause dehydration.

People who are at high risk for heatstroke include babies and small children, the elderly, the sick and those who are immunodeficient. People who fall into these categories can experience fatal hyperthermia, so prevention is essential.

Anyone planning a day in the sun should take regular breaks for shade and stay hydrated with water or a beverage containing electrolytes.

Skin Cancer

One of the most unfortunate but common effects of long term overexposure to sunlight is the presence of skin cancer, otherwise known as melanoma.

When caught early, melanoma can be a very treatable form of cancer, however in its later stages it can be extremely painful, destructive and fatal as it has the potential to metastasize and attack tissue, lymphatic and organ systems.

People who are at the highest risk for melanoma are those who have exposed themselves to excessive sunlight over the course of several years, with a particularly high rate of incidence in those who have had multiple cases of sunburn or sun poisoning.

People who engage in the use of self tanning booths which use ultraviolet light to create the effect of a suntan are also at significant risk for melanoma.

For those who engage in regular sun exposure, sunblock that prevents UV rays from burning and altering the skin is essential in the prevention of future skin cancer.

People of all ages and genders who plan to spend time in the sun are at risk for exposure to cancer causing rays, so sunblock is a universal must have for outdoor sunny day activities.