With the advent of summer comes a horde of health issues that force us to pay a visit to our general physician. These issues are not confined to summer in our region, but also across the globe. Read on to find out what top summer health issues are, and how you can avoid them:
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Dehydration:
This is the commonest problem in the summer, especially in high humidity areas like Karachi where the heat can catch you off guard. More often than not we forget to carry a water bottle with us, and thus a combination of lack of water and heat can cause dehydration. Dehydration manifests with dizziness, dry mouth, and increased body temperature.
Heat stroke in the most common form of dehydration, where the body produces increased sweat to combat increased body temperature. Therefore, it is important to increase the intake of water and other fluids to combat the increase in heat. It is also better to schedule activities and chores when the midday heat goes down.
Sunburn:
Sunburn is the damage to the skin due to direct exposure to sunlight. When one goes about in the sun, especially between 10am to 2pm, there are rays that can cause extensive damage and therefore sun protection should be worn during this time. For the heat in our country a minimum SPF of 30 should be worn at all times for going out. Additional protection in the form of sunglasses, hats, and umbrellas should also be considered.
Sunburn gets better on its own, but adequate fluid intake should be done during this time. However, seek professional help if the condition deteriorates, and if there is fever and headache.
Food poisoning:
Higher temperatures can damage food quicker than cooler temperatures. Unrefrigerated food especially dairy products and products that contain mayonnaise and eggs can fester bacteria in heat. Mild cases of food poisonings can be managed at home, but for severe cases, hospitalization should be done.
To avoid food poisoning, be sure to thoroughly cook the food, and any unwanted or extra food should be refrigerated as soon as possible. If you are going out with food, then be sure to pack it in insulated boxes, to prevent bacteria from festering in the heat.
Accidents:
History shows that summer season is more prone to accidents than any other time of year. A mixture of high temperatures and high tempers both can be the cause of increased incidents of traffic accidents. Avoid driving after midnight, and during extremes of temperature.
Bug bites:
Summer also comes with an increase in the bug population. This means that the incidence of bug bites increases during this season. Bug bite sites can have pain and tenderness, but you should seek immediate help if you see swellings associated with bites, dizziness or trouble breathing.
Bug bites can be avoided by using a bug repellant, avoiding floral scents when outside, and avoiding tight clothing.
If you are suffering from any of the aforementioned issues or are under the weather this summer, then book an appointment with a top general physician in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi through oladoc.com, or call our helpline at 042-3890-0939 for assistance to find the RIGHT professional for your concerns.
