Top 5 Health Hazards to Avoid for a Happy and Healthy Summer

Summer is a great time to go outside and get your daily dose of vitamin E. However, this time of year also brings additional risks to your well-being, including these summer health hazards:

1. Heat Stroke

Heat Stroke or Hyperthermia is a condition caused by your body overheating because of prolonged exposure to or physical exertion in high temperatures. The Mayo Clinic adds that “This most serious form of heat injury can occur if your body temperature rises to 104 F (40 C) or higher.” Heat stroke is most common in the summer months, and both adults and children are susceptible to the condition.

Hyperthermia is also marked by fever and unconsciousness. It is primarily treated by cooling down the body with the help of water, cold air, or ice packs. People who suffer from heat strokes require immediate medical help to be tested for complications like muscle breakdown, which can damage the kidneys. Heat stroke can also cause your brain or other vital organs to swell, possibly resulting in permanent damage or death.

If someone has these symptoms, call 911 immediately:

• A throbbing headache
• Lightheadedness
• Short, rapid breathing
• Lack of sweat despite the heat
• A fast pulse
• Muscle weakness or cramps
• Behavioral changes such as confusion and disorientation

2. Sunburn Now, Skin Cancer Later

Though sunburns may seem relatively harmless and curable, they can lead to skin cancer in the long run. Excessive exposure to the sun and its ultraviolet rays can significantly damage your skin cells. The best and most straightforward way to avoid sunburn is to stay out of the sun, but if you want to enjoy the summer outdoors, reduce your risk of sunburns and skin cancers by reading our blog post about How to Protect Your Skin from Phoenix’s Hot Climate.

3. Bug Bites

Did you know warm temperatures speed up the life cycle of mosquitoes? In fact, the hotter the summer, the faster mosquito season reaches its peak. Though most mosquito bites do not require you to rush to the hospital, it can also carry life-threatening diseases like West Nile, malaria, or yellow fever. To prevent bug bites and infection this summer, apply an effective bug repellent lotion every two hours. It is also best to keep mosquitoes away from your property by removing any stagnant water, using landscape repellants, and lighting citronella candles.

4. Food Poisoning

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 76 million people suffer from food poisoning, and that roughly 3000 Americans die from foodborne diseases each year. The summer season is full of outdoor activities, including favorable picnics. Unfortunately, bringing food out into the open exposes it to insects that carry bacteria. Additionally, food sitting under direct sunlight for too long will spoil easily. To avoid an outbreak of food poisoning this summer, follow simple guidelines about food handling to keep your family happy and healthy.

5. Dehydration

Dehydration is a severe reduction in the amount of water in the body. This health hazard occurs quickly during the summer heat. Some complications of dehydration include kidney failure, shock, electrolyte abnormalities, and even death. Therefore, it is crucial to drink a minimum of eight glasses of water a day, as well as to increase your fluid intake whenever out in the sun.