Summer Health Hazards

FOUR SUMMER HEALTH HAZARDS YOU SHOULD AVOID

Summer is in full swing, and we hope you are enjoying every minute of it. As the days get longer and hotter, health hazards increase as well. The summer season is notorious for a wide variety of health concerns. From not getting enough sleep to increased outdoor activities, people can take summer fun a little too far and end up suffering the consequences.

Below is a list of the four most common health hazards and how you can avoid them before the school bell rings and class is back in session.

1. HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT STROKE

Summer brings an array of benefits, including sunshine and warm temperatures. While these are great most of the time, they also increase your chances of developing a heat-related illness. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), extreme heat sends an average of 65,000 Americans to the hospital annually.

Here are some of the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, according to the CDC:

• Body Temperature of 103ºF or Higher
• Hot, Red, Dry, or Damp Skin
• Heavy Sweating
• Cold, Pale, Clammy Skin
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Rising Pulse
• Muscle Cramps
• Nausea or Vomiting

If you hope to keep your body temperature in check on these hot summer days, here are a few tips to make that happen:

1. Slow down in the heat.
2. Adjust work and activity schedules to keep cool during midday.
3. Minimize time spent outdoors on particularly warm days.
4. Exercise indoors when temperatures rise or exercise outdoors for only a limited time.

As we spend time outside, our body’s temperature naturally rises in the heat. Above all, be on guard. Make sure you properly hydrate and listen to your body. If you start feeling sick or overly warm, take it seriously and spend time indoors.

2. SUNBURN

Just as the summer sunshine can affect your body temperature, it also can damage your skin. Long days spent sitting next to the pool can have lasting effects on your health. Not only can you develop early-age wrinkles, fine lines and sunspots, but severe sunburns, as well. According to the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR), it only takes five significant sunburns to increase your risk of skin cancer, which is the most common cancer in the United States.

Here are some of the symptoms of a sunburn:

• Pink or Red Skin
• Warm Skin or Hot to the Touch
• Swelling
• Small, Fluid-Filled Blisters
• Headache
• Fever
• Pain and Tenderness
• Itching
• Nausea
• Fatigue

To keep your skin clear and cool all summer long, here are the best ways you can prevent a sunburn:

1. Apply sunscreen of 15 SPF or greater strength.
2. Wear protective clothing when out in the sun like a hat, visor, rash guard, or long sleeve t-shirt.
3. Stay in the shade when possible.

3. INSECT BITES

As temperatures increase, bugs start multiplying. Whether you are hiking in the mountains, exploring the outdoors, or playing in your backyard, it is hard to escape insects. Unfortunately, these bugs can spread a lot more than itchiness. For example, the typical summer bug, mosquitoes, can transmit the West Nile virus or Dengue fever. Another prevalent illness also spreads through insect bites is Lyme disease, which travels through ticks, along with 16 other infectious illnesses.

Below are the symptoms of Lyme disease to better understand why it is essential to protect yourself from insect bites:

• Severe Headaches
• Neck Stiffness
• Rashes on Other Areas of the Body
• Arthritis with Severe Joint Pain and Swelling (Particularly in the Knees)
• Loss of Muscle Tone or “Drooping” on One Side of the Face
• Heart Palpitation or an Irregular Heartbeat
• Inflammation of the Brain and Spinal Cord
• Shooting Pain
• Numbness
• Tingling in the Hands or Feet

Make sure that you are safe from Lyme disease and all other illnesses carried through insect bites. Here are a few ways how you can do so:

1. Use insect repellent when spending time outdoors, especially when hiking or camping.
2. Wear long sleeves and pants.
3. Check yourself regularly for any insects.
4. Know when you are traveling through areas with certain insects and prepare accordingly.
5. Bathe within two hours after an outing.
6. Wash clothes in hot water and dry them in high heat.

4. FOOD POISONING 

Every year, 300,000 people visit the hospital due to food poisoning thanks to the fresh foods typically eaten during the summer months. From grilling raw meat on the BBQ to picnicking in the sun, your risk of eating something that can make you sick increases during summertime.

If you think you have caught food poisoning, or want to prepare just in case, here are a few of the symptoms:

• Upset Stomach
• Stomach Cramps
• Nausea
• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting

Food poisoning symptoms may range from mild to severe, depending on what you ate. Now that you know what to look out for, here are a few ways to prevent it from happening to you.

1. Keep raw meat wrapped and separated from other foods.
2. Wash your hands regularly, especially when preparing food.
3. Prepare meals on clean surfaces.
4. Cook meat thoroughly.
5. Don’t eat food that is left unrefrigerated for more than two hours.

While you must be cautious of these health hazards, there is no need to only stay indoors. Properly prepare, and you will have a safe and healthy summer. If you have any questions about this topic or need to talk to a physician about your health, our team of providers are here to help you stay healthy and happy.