Dehydration

Two thirds of the body is made up of water so it is essential to the normal working of the body. It lubricates the joints and eyes, aids digestion, it flushes out waste and toxins and keeps skin healthy.

Dehydration occurs when the normal level of water is reduced. The reduction in the balance causes the body to lose vital chemicals such as sodium and potassium. Even if the water has only decreased by a small percentage, dehydration can occur. It can be serious, sometimes even fatal.

If dehydration is ongoing, it can affect kidney function, be harmful to the liver, and cause cholesterol problems, along with fatigue and reduced blood pressure.

The obvious way to treat the condition is to rehydrate, but it is important to remember that it is not just water the body has lost. Sodium and potassium also need to be replaced, so instead of just stocking up on water, sweet drinks and salty snacks are also necessary.

Sunburn

Sunburnt skin is red and sore. It is warm to the touch, even after attempts to cool it with water or by moving into the shade.

The skin may also flake or peel after a number of days. Dark skin can also burn and become damaged if exposed to enough UV light, although it can tolerate sunlight without burning for longer than paler skin. Severe sunburn can cause blistering, swelling of the skin and fever. At the same time there may also be symptoms of heat-stroke, such as dizziness, headaches, and nausea.

The symptoms of sunburn are not usually immediately obvious, and the worst pain occurs six to 48 hours after being in the sun.

Avoid sunburn by ensuring you do the following:

  • Avoid direct sunlight by covering up and staying in the shade, until the sunburn has healed.
  • Cool the skin by sponging it with tepid water or having a cool shower or bath.
  • Drink plenty of fluids to replace the water lost through sweating in the sun, and to cool down. Don’t drink alcohol because it will dehydrate you further.
  • For mild sunburn, apply a moisturising lotion or a special aftersun cream from a pharmacy. Aftersun helps to cool the skin as well as moisturising and relieving the feeling of tightness. Calamine lotion can also be used to relieve itching and soreness.
  • Choose a lotion that blocks both UVA and UVB rays, for maximum protection. When buying sunglasses, look for a style with UV filters.
  • Sun lotions should be applied half an hour before going into the sun, so that they sink into the skin. Make sure you use a generous amount, an SPF of 15 or higher is usually recommended, and pay particular attention to skin near the edges of clothing such as straps and necklines, which are easily missed.
  • Reapply sun lotion regularly.
  • Use a stick application with higher SPF for exposed areas such as your nose, ears and lips, which tend to get burnt.
  • Stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day – usually between 11am and 2pm.

Deep vein thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot which develops in a deep vein, often in the lower leg.

DVT can cause pain, but can also lead to complications. Between one and three people out of a thousand in the UK develop a blood clot at some point.

In most cases, the clots are small and have no symptoms. The body can break it down by itself and there are no long term effects. However, the larger clots can lead to calf swelling and pain.

As plane journeys are the biggest cause of the problem, it is important to move the legs every half an hour while flying. If possible passengers should try and move around the cabin.