The summer months are upon us! Longer days, bright sunshine, vacations, beaches, and heat are all trademarks of these months. Summer can also come with its own dangers and challenges to your health if you’re not careful. Don’t let health issues get in your way of having a summer full of fun. Here are some of the top health problems that flare up over the summer that you should watch out for:
Dehydration
By far the most common summer health issue. When you’re in the sun all day outside in the park or at the beach or working in the garden it’s easy to forget to keep drinking water. The sun beats down on you, stressing your body with heat, which can lead to dehydration. Some of the most common dehydration symptoms are dry mouth, increased thirst, and headaches or dizziness. If you start to experience any of these symptoms, find some shade, down a few bottles of water and relax. Stop exerting yourself and stop sweating. You should feel better shortly. If the symptoms continue, then you should seek the help of a medical professional. They will likely put you on a saline drip in order to get your fluid levels back up.
Heat Stroke
Less common than dehydration, but more deadly. Heat stroke occurs regardless of the outside temperature. If your body’s inner temperature gets too hot, you will essentially “fry your brain” from the heat. Heat stroke symptoms are similar to the symptoms of dehydration: headaches, dizziness, thirst, fatigue, and well, dehydration. These symptoms are more severe with heat stroke than they are with dehydration and also generally include a red flush to the face. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, get out of the sun. Relax and stop all physical activity. Drink water and put a cold compress on your head or neck in attempts to bring your body temperature down. If you’re not successful, seek the help of a medical professional.
Diseases From Bug Bites
Humans aren’t the only ones who like to be outside during the summer. So do mosquitos and lots of other bugs like ticks. When spending an extended amount of time outside, make sure to wear bug spray to protect you from these pests. Ticks are known for carrying diseases such as Lyme Disease, which has very serious consequences. Mosquitos also carry a variety of different types of illnesses – everything from malaria to West Nile virus, to yellow fever. All of these can be deadly if not treated
properly.
Driving Accidents
Kids out of school mean more families are on the road taking a vacation. Car and traffic accidents sky rocket during the summer months, so don’t let your family fall victim to them. Make sure to be alert while on long road trips. Pull over and take a nap or stop at a hotel if needed. Cold air and music can help to keep a driver awake as well. Always be aware of your surroundings. Just because you’re a good driver doesn’t mean that everyone on the else is. Expect and plan for the unexpected. Be prepared to take evasive maneuvers if another car swerves into your lane or cuts you off. And don’t tailgate. Everyone is in a rush to get to where they’re going, and everyone will get there eventually. It’s better to be safe about it than to end up as a wreck on the road.