Lifestyle

The Common Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation

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Due to the depletion of the protective ozone layer in the atmosphere, the harmful UV rays are now reaching the earth’s surface. Overexposure to these radiations poses a great danger to human health, resulting in many health complications. It is very vital to understand the risk of being exposed to UV light and find ways of combating this problem. Taking the right precautions will help you to enjoy the warm sun without exposing your body to health issues related to ultraviolet radiation exposure. Here are the common effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

  • Cataracts and Eye Disorders

Before we look into this problem, you need to know that wearing sunglasses regardless of what you are doing always protects your eyes. So, if you are a morning runner, get your quality sunglasses from https://goodr.com/collections/running-sunglasses. You can notice a person who has cataracts if their lenses appear cloudy. The person who has cataracts also has a cloudy vision that can cause blindness in serious cases or over time. According to research, UV exposure is one of the leading causes of cataracts all over the world. Actually, people who spend more time in the sun may develop this condition earlier and more easily than people who don’t. Even though cataracts can be cured through surgery, you cannot get the same perfect vision as before.

Apart from cataracts, overexposure to UV rays also cause damage to the retinal tissue, corneal sunburn, and others. So, it is recommended to wear UV protective sunglasses to lower the exposure to UV rays.

  • Skin Cancer

Skin cancer has become rampant, with more cases being reported every year. In fact, skin cancer cases are more than lung, breast, colon, and prostate cancer cases combined. This is a major concern and an indication that UV rays are a risk factor in this. Melanoma cancer is the deadliest, accounting for over 70 percent of deaths caused by skin cancer. While non-melanoma cancer is not that deadly, it can still cause disfigurement, death, and other severe health complications if not treated. The best way of protecting yourself from skin cancer is by preventing overexposure to UV radiation.

  • Premature Aging

Exposure to UV rays also leads to premature aging, a condition known as photoaging. This causes the skin to wrinkle, become leathery and thick. Even though aging is normal, premature aging has been shown to mainly come from too much exposure to UV radiation. The best way to prevent this condition is by protecting your skin from UV by applying sunscreen when sunbathing or working in the sun.  

  • Damage to the Immune System

The skin is one of the defense systems that protect the body. Once the radiations are able to pass through the skin, they can jeopardize the rest of the system. It interferes with the body’s ability to respond to and fight diseases. Therefore, once the immune system is suppressed, your body is vulnerable to invaders like infections and cancers. So, protect your skin and your immune system by applying sunscreen and staying away from UV radiations.

Final Thoughts!

These are the major effects of UV radiation on the body. The best way to avoid such complications is to avoid exposing your body to too much UV radiation.