And Color The Koalas

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Hot Tips for a Safe & Healthy Summer

The long, warm days just seem to invite kicking back and having fun.

Since you’re going to be spending more time outside, take these steps to protect your skin from the sun:

Apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. Put it on again after swimming, sweating or wiping your skin with a towel. Wear sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays.

Wear a hat with a wide brim to protect your face, ears and back of your neck. Drink plenty of water

“Be sure to drink extra fluids in hot weather to replace what you lose in sweat,” says internal medicine physician Michael Mandarano, DO, with LVPG Family Medicine–Dunmore. “This helps you avoid dehydration – a condition in which your body doesn’t have enough fluids to work properly.”

Make water your go-to beverage. And don’t wait until you’re thirsty to reach for a refreshing drink. When you’re being active, aim to drink about 8 ounces of water every 10 to 20 minutes.

Enjoy in-season produce - Naturally low in calories, fat and salt, fresh fruits and vegetables contain many of the nutrients your body needs to work as it should. “Plus, the extra water from these foods can help keep you hydrated,” Dr. Mandarano says. Add these versatile options to your shopping list this summer:

Fruits: apples, blueberries, cantaloupe, raspberries, watermelon / Veggies: broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, peppers, spinach

Swim smart - Up for pool parties and days at the beach or lake? Remember to supervise kids at all times. Don’t let yourself get distracted with reading,

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I have tickets to a few concerts and events this summer that I know are going to be noisy. What can I do to protect my hearing?

Exposure to loud sounds over a duration of time can be damaging to one’s hearing. There are a variety of noises that can be detrimental. It can be something as quick as a gunshot or explosion to a longer event, like a concert. Both of these examples can lead to what is known as a noise-induced hearing loss, which occurs when the structures in the inner ear are damaged due to exposure to loud sounds. Signs of a noise-induced hearing loss can range from ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus, a fullness or pressure in the ears, and/or muffled speech.

It is extremely important to take precautionary measures to protect one’s hearing. Earplugs or earmuffs should be worn when around loud sounds. This includes any type of hobby where excessive noise is present, such as using the lawnmower or weedwhacker, attending a concert, or shooting guns or fireworks. Once permanent damage is done to one’s hearing mechanisms, it cannot be restored. Using proper hearing protection can ensure that activities can still be enjoyed without risking a permanent hearing loss.

For more information about noiseinduced hearing loss, please visit our website at ambrosehearing.com or call us at 570-622-1435.