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Tips to avoid common health problems during summers

Team AckoSept 25, 2023

The Indian summers can be uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous. The ideal way to avoid being sick throughout the summer and keep yourself safe is to be aware of the illnesses that the season can bring and take preventive and timely actions. This article highlights some tips to avoid common health problems during the summer season. Read on to know more.

Tips to avoid common health problems during summers

Contents

Tips to avoid common health problems during summers
Frequently asked questions

Tips to avoid common health problems during summers

Following are some tips to stay healthy during the summer season.

Staying hydrated is very important

The risk of dehydration increases in the summer. Adequate hydration goes a long way toward preventing problems. Staying hydrated is very important, especially if you wish to exercise during the summer season. Also, drink plenty of fluids when you're out, and always carry water, juice, or other liquids when you go for outings.

Protect your skin

Every day, apply sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15 when swimming or spending extended amounts of time outside. Additionally, you can dress in lightweight clothing with protective coverings like hats, long sleeves, and pants.

Wear garments with SPF for added security. Remember to keep your eyes protected as well. Hats offer some protection, and sunglasses block harmful sunlight. If you get a sunburn, moisturise with an aloe-based lotion and stay out of the sun until your skin heals.

Protect yourself from insect bites

Mosquitoes and other insects are quite common in India, and there are simple remedies to keep them away. Use bug lights, candles, or pest spray to protect yourself. Wear long sleeves and use insect repellent when spending the evening outside. Also, be careful while walking barefoot on grass or in a garden. If you get a bug bite, wash the area where you were bitten (or stung) with soap and water. Watch out for any signs of an allergic reaction as well, such as swelling or trouble breathing. To stop the itching, apply calamine lotion or cold compresses.

Shield well from a heat stroke

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are both dangerous and frequent in the summer months. Nevertheless, you can avoid them. You can prevent many heat-related illnesses by drinking plenty of water, avoiding the sun when it's at its peak, and taking breaks to cool off when it's hot. Focus on maintaining adequate hydration if you work or exercise outdoors, and consider drinking liquids with electrolytes to replace any salts lost through sweat.

Try to schedule your outside activities for earlier in the morning or later in the evening since the sun is typically brightest and harshest around the middle of the day. Additionally, stay alert for diseases brought on by the heat. You should get medical attention if your sweating stops, you feel dizzy, or you have a fever.

Observe safety guidelines when near water

In the summer, there are more chances of unintentional drownings. By adhering to strict water safety laws, you can avoid this. Everyone who cannot swim should always wear a life jacket, regardless of how deep the water is.

A lifeguard or other responsible adult should always be present when children are swimming. Never dive into water unless you know that it is safe to do so. To avoid falling and injuring your head, refrain from sprinting around a pool.

Eat hygienic food

Food spoils quickly in the summer season. Food poisoning can occur if you eat while travelling or on a picnic. Avoid eating anything that has been left out in the heat. So be careful while eating outside food. Always taste the food for freshness before you start eating. Carry whole fruits like apples, bananas, oranges, etc., while travelling. Dried fruit or pre-packaged nuts are also excellent options.

Eat meat only when it’s properly cooked

Use a meat thermometer to ensure the meat is properly cooked. It should be cooked to a minimum of 145°F to kill any bacteria or germs. Cooking at high temperatures ensures that meat is free of any pathogens.

Additionally, it is crucial to cook meat fully at the grill or campground. Bacteria may grow when meat is partially cooked and left to sit; these bacteria might not be eliminated when the meat is later grilled.

Maintain hygiene when cooking food

After handling raw meat, thoroughly wash your hands with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds. Cleaning any cutting boards, surfaces, or equipment you use to cook the meat is also a must. Use fresh, single-use washcloths or antibacterial napkins in the absence of warm running water.

Pack your raw meat apart from other foods, if at all possible. Ensure the raw meat is properly wrapped and tightly closed in a bag or container. A surface that was used to prepare raw meat should not be used to serve cooked food.

Protect against Hay fever

Allergies occur when your body's defences cannot keep out foreign invaders. When flowers blossom in the early summer and pollen comes into contact with your body, it may cause Hay fever. Here are some symptoms of this disease.

Fatigue
Congested nose
Watery eyes
Sneezing
Cough
Fever

If you use a pollution mask, your exposure to allergens will be reduced. Consult your doctor in case you suffer from the above symptoms. These can be managed with the help of medication.

Take medication against Chickenpox

Chickenpox is one of India's most dangerous summer illnesses. You can get fluid-filled blisters over the body when you suffer from this disease. It may affect adults with diabetes, impaired immune systems, cancer, or other underlying medical issues. It also affects young children. Chickenpox is curable with medication.

Eat fresh food in small quantities

Include fresh vegetables and fruits like citrus fruits, berries, cucumber, raw onions, melons, etc., in your diet. These are easy to digest and have a cooling effect on your stomach. They help with issues like acidity and keep you hydrated as well. To combat the summer heat, up your fluid intake by consuming extra coconut water, lemon water, and fresh juices, even if you do not feel thirsty.

Frequently asked questions

Following are some common questions and answers about taking care of your health in the summer season.

What is meant by summer diarrhoea?

Summer diarrhoea is a common type of digestion issue, especially in children. It occurs in hot weather and is typically brought on by eating food infected by different microorganisms that cause gastrointestinal disease.

What is meant by a heat stroke?

You might get heat exhaustion as a result of your body overheating, which involves signs like profuse sweating and an accelerated heartbeat. It is one of many heat-related illnesses, with heat cramps being the least serious and heatstroke being the most serious.

Are there any long-term impacts of heat exhaustion?

Heat exhaustion is not seen as a serious health issue on its own. But if unattended, heat exhaustion can progress to heatstroke and other problems like organ failure and brain damage.

Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet. Please consult an expert before making any related decisions based on the content.