With the arrival of summer months and rising temperature, the unbearable weather may be harmful for your body and cause several diseases. Heat is something that can affect your entire body which include – eyes, skin and gastric system. The unrelenting dryness and scorching heat may bring with it common summer disease when you do not take necessary precautions. This blogpost discusses about some common diseases in summer and tips to prevent them.
- Heat stroke – Heat stroke or hyperthermia is a summer disease that happens due to prolonged exposure to higher temperatures. It occurs due to signs of heat exhaustion such as – dizziness, weakness and headaches resulting in organ failure, unconsciousness and death. You can treat hyperthermia by cooling body from outside with ice packs, water or cold air.
- Food poisoning – This occurs by consuming contaminated food or water. The humid and warm weather provides fertile environment for the growth of bacteria which can be the reason for food contamination. It generally spreads due to viruses, bacteria, chemicals and toxins which enter your body and can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain.
- Dehydration – It usually occurs in summer when the intake of water will not compensate for loss of water. In the summer season, you will lose lots of water and salt as sweat without even knowing about it. This can prevent normal functioning of your body.
- Mumps – Another disease is mumps which can be extremely contagious. It happens mainly in children during the summer. The disease can spread when a person who has the infection coughs or sneezes to others. It can affect parotid gland in front of ears leading to fever, swelling and pain.
- Chicken pox – Some symptoms for this are – blisters, redness, loss of appetite, itchy skin, headache, high-grade fever and scabs.
- Measles – This contagious respiratory disease occurs due to a virus. Some symptoms include – cough, runny nose, red eyes, sore throat and high fever. The symptoms might develop to tiny white spots in the mouth, runny nose, measles rash, fever and cough. You will generally find rashes around the face and hairline.
- Typhoid – This water-borne disease can pass through orofecal route and symptoms include – weakness, fatigue, headache, loss of appetite, abdominal pain and high fever.
- Sunburn – It happens due to ultraviolet or UV rays of the sun that can damage the skin cells. When there is overexposure to harmful UV radiation, this can cause painful rashes on skin.
- Heat rashes – It is a pink or red rash on the body parts covered with clothing. This occurs during hot humid conditions and is common in kids. Heat rashes might develop when the sweat ducts become blocked and swell up forming tiny pimples on your skin. This can be the reason for itching and discomfort.
- Other waterborne diseases – Some of these are cholera, diarrhea, dysentery and common water-borne diseases.
Tips to Prevent Summer Diseases
- Drink lots of water and increase the intake of fluid like buttermilk, lemon water and coconut water at home and while travelling to remain in proper hydration. You should have at least 10-12 glasses of water daily
- Wear light coloured and loose-fitting clothes as dark coloured clothes can absorb more heat and tight clothes may not allow your body to sweat properly. Select light and absorbent materials such as cotton
- Avoid doing heavy exercise when traveling or doung outdoor activities
- Do not sit in a chair exposed to sun and try to park vehicle in the shade
- Use ice packs and take pain relievers to ensure comfort when sunburns occur from sun rays.
- Wash hands properly and follow good hygiene habits. Clean your hands before touching or cooking food items to avoid food as well as water-borne infections
- Wash hands every time you go to the washroom
- Avoid eating undercooked and street food. Try to eat fresh vegetables and fruits such as – cucumber, mangoes, watermelon and sugarcane
- Close windows in the sunny hours like afternoon so that the heat do not enter inside your house
- Prevent sore eyes and spreading infection, clean hands properly, wash eyes with water to ease soreness
- Vaccination with MMR or measles, mumps, rubella can help against infectious diseases. If you or your child has not taken vaccination against these 3 infections, then take the vaccinations early
- Apply mosquito repellent and do not go to mosquito breeding places
- Cover your skin and protect by applying 15 SPF sunscreen
- Summer diseases occur during the day to prevent direct exposure to sun, especially from noon to around 3 pm, when the rays of the sun remain directly perpendicular.
- Wear a cap and sunglass while travelling or doing outdoor activities. This can prevent harmful ultraviolet rays from hitting sensitive areas on your face and keep you wrinkle-free.
By following these tips, you will be able to prevent summer diseases and ensure carefree summer months. Visit Health Screening Clinic in London to for health check up and stay protected.
