Home > Health A to Z > Shield Yourself from These 4 Common Summer Diseases

Shield Yourself from These 4 Common Summer Diseases

Dr. Sreelekha Daruvuri

3 Min Read

It’s that time of the year again when we sweat through all our pores! It is not only the unbearable temperature that can harm you but also a host of diseases. The scorching heat and unrelenting dryness can be brutal, and it is important to take a few precautions to keep health problems away.

Excessive heat can be very dangerous, even deadly, especially for children and old people. Babies’ temperature-regulating systems aren’t fully developed. As a result, they’re not as efficient as adults in keeping cool. Similarly, among old people, the aging process gradually takes away some of their body’s ability to regulate temperature. This means that seniors do not feel the heat in the same way, which puts them at high risk of becoming overheated.

Let’s take a look at some of the most common diseases in summer

Heat stroke: Heat stroke is a common summer illness, which if left untreated can even be fatal. A few of the symptoms of heat stroke include:

dizziness, throbbing headache
difficulty in breathing
red, hot, and dry skin
lack of sweating despite the heat
rapid pulse
high body temperature

Food poisoning:

Due to excessive heat in summer, food can spoil quickly. Well-cooked food that is refrigerated post consumption will stay longer. Make sure you buy fresh foods — don’t buy veggies and fruits that smell foul. The symptoms of food poisoning include:

fever
diarrhoea
weakness
stomach pains
headache
loss of appetite

Dehydration:

This is one of the most common problems that occur in summer when water intake does not compensate for water loss. We tend to lose a lot of water and salts in the form of sweat during summer, which needs to be replenished for the body to function normally. The symptoms of dehydration include:

dry mouth and tongue
sunken eyes
extreme thirst
less frequent urination
fatigue
dizziness
confusion

Sunburn:

So much for its egregious spell, sunburn can hamper our everyday routines. Sunburn occurs due to overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. Some of the symptoms of sunburn include:

redness
pain
blistering skin

Heat rash:

Heat rashes occur when sweat ducts become blocked and swell up. They look like dots or tiny pink or red pimples on the skin. They often cause discomfort and itching. Some of the symptoms of heat rash include:

small red bumps
inflammation
redness
blister-like lesions

Here are some essential tips for you to avoid common summer diseases:

Stay hydrated. Drink minimum 8-10 glasses of water a day. You can add some lemon and honey in your water to instantly replenish your body’s lost electrolytes and fluids.

Use sunscreen. The best way to prevent sun damage is by applying sunscreen (SPF 30 and above). Apply it about 15-25 minutes before exposure to the sun, so that the sunscreen is absorbed properly by the skin. Reapplication of sunscreen is necessary and should be done every 2 hours.

Add seasonal fruits to your diet. Fruits like peaches, plums, melons, pears, and mangoes are exactly what your body craves during summer.

Fibre-rich food like grains, vegetables, and legumes can help keep your digestive system in shape and you can avoid the chance of constipation.

Dodge the sun. Restrict outdoor activities or travel to & from work to the cooler parts of the day – early mornings before 10.30 am or late evenings after 5:30 pm should do a world of good to keep you sun-safe.

Wear loose, full-sleeved cotton clothes: This should help out with the evaporation of sweat and keep you safe from those unwelcome rashes, prickly heat, and sunburns. Will also save you from the tan!

So this summer gear up, and be prepared to shield yourself against these nagging health problems. A little care and awareness are all it takes. If you still face any of the above-mentioned complications, be sure to consult top-quality doctors on the mfine app – the minute you need to. Download the app and take charge of your health today.