With most residents spending most of the summer days indoors, it is time to
look at the health hazards present between the walls.
Summer in the UAE is not a time for outside leisure. In fact, anything that
needs to be done outside is frantically avoided by anyone who knows better.
Luckily facilities are designed to make life easy for us; we do not really need
to go outside. Most of us spend most of the summer months between the
air-conditioned walls of anywhere that is not outside.
True, outside temperatures exceeding 40C° cannot possibly be good to our
health. Dehydration, sunburn or heat stroke are some of the hazards lurking at
us from the other side of the wall. But health hazards are present within these
walls too. Emirates 24/7 has listed five of these hazards.
Weak or brittle bones
It may not occur easily, but our bones need sun. Actually, our bones need
Vitamin D, which can be obtained from the sun. “Most Vitamin D comes from skin
exposure to sunshine. Even 15 minutes exposure to the arms or legs 2-3 times per
week should provide enough natural Vitamin D for most people,” explains Dr.
Chris Whately, Medical Director of Medcare Orthopaedics and Spine Hospital,
Dubai.
Together with calcium, Vitamin D makes up for the prime ingredients to build
strong bones, explains the orthopaedic. “The problem in the UAE is that people
are often covered, and even those who do not cover up spend very little time in
the sun with the result that up to 75 per cent of the population (of all
nationalities) are Vitamin D deficient.”
Weak or brittle bones –a condition called osteoporosis- are the result, which
can commonly lead to fractures. Vitamin D deficiency can be compromised with
fortified milk and weight bearing exercise.
Depression
Light makes people happy, they say. In countries with less sunlight exposure
depression has been found more profound, and exposure to artificial light is by
some considered an effective anti-depression treatment. What is it we like so
much about sunlight? Or what do we dislike about the lack of it?
Also here Vitamin D plays a role. “With less Vitamin D your physical health
suffers. Maybe you experience minor aches, pains and fatigue,” explains says
Justin Thomas, psychologist and Assistant Professor at Zayed University Abu
Dhabi.
However, this does not necessarily lead to depression. But the combination of
low physical activity with social withdrawal can increase the symptoms of
depression, thinks Justin.
“A depressed person stays home and is physically inactive because he feels
low. Psychical suffering lowers your mood further and perhaps you further
withdraw from the world; the vicious cycle self -perpetuates.”
Obesity
Coupled with low physical activity comes obesity, something that does not
make anybody happy. Off course, physical activity does not necessarily take
place outside; gyms and fitness clubs are abound and many residential buildings
have a built-in gym, free of charge. But how likely are you to really visit that
gym when there is a couch, TV or bed around?
Within the comfortable space of your own walls there could be numerous
temptations too. The kitchen is nearby, the fridge is full; before you know it
you have snuck up the sweet corner for some treats. If not, delivery service is
only one phone call away. Less movement, more food.
There is nothing wrong with comfort from time to time. But being out and on
the move does keep you away from the self-destructive behavior that we know so
well when nobody else is there to spot it. Besides that, walking a couple of
miles every day alone can lead to surprising weight loss.
Respiratory problems
Luckily not everybody is prone to this health hazard. But for a great part of
the UAE population, respiratory problems are a daily challenge. In their case,
the air conditioner might not be their best friend.
"It is not the air conditioner itself," explains Dr. Michael Loubser,
Immunology, Asthma & Allergy specialist at Infinity Health Clinic. "It is
the fact that many air conditioners are not properly maintained. Maintenance is
very important, because allergens can easily be transported by this device."
Dust, mould and fungus are the main allergens that are found in many ACs and
thereby find an easy gateway through to the indoors. “In the UAE 90% of the
people with inhalant allergies suffer from dust mite,” says Michael. As a result
people often experience their respiratory problems increased once they moved to
the UAE. A clean and well-maintained AC would be the solution.
Nearsightedness
It is not scientifically proven, but there are theories that suggest
increased myopia –or nearsightedness when less time is spent outside.
One theory suggests that sunlight is good for the eyes. “Exposure to sunlight
increases dopamine, the chemical that in turn prevents the eye from growing. Eye
growth increases myopia,” explains Saleem Moopen, ophthalmologist at DM
Healthcare.
Another theory is based on the knowledge that the eye needs rest. “The eye
rests when looking into a far distance,” Saleem explains. “The muscles that are
present in the eye need this rest, just as the muscles in our body.”
Due to the scarce possibility of far sight in skyscraper cities like
Singapore and Hong Kong, residents of these cities are suggested to face
increased myopia, Saleem tells. However, the direct link in both theories is not
scientifically proven at this point.
“Even though there is no harm to spend some time in the park, for example.
Ideally the eye requires 10-14 hours of sunlight exposure. This is not difficult
to do.”
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