Ah, the sweet smell of summertime is in the air. In just a few weeks, spring will bloom into a full-fledged summer. You know what that means — school’s out and so is the sun. As a practicing physician, you’ll see an increase in season-related ailments during this time of year. Why is this? Throughout the summer, more people are exposed to heat and humidity. This can cause higher levels of pollen and bacteria in the air, which can negatively affect a person’s health. Your patients are also more likely to get bug bites or rashes during this time of year. To provide the best care to your patients, you’ll need to know what warn them about as summer goes on. Here are some common summer health issues and how to avoid them!
Common Summer Health Issues
1. Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is one of the most common summer health issues. When the summer heats up, our bodies are more susceptible to overheating. If your patients are not careful, they could risk getting a mild case of heat exhaustion or even a heat stroke. This can happen if someone is out in the sun for too long and not drinking enough water. The early signs of heat exhaustion are cramps, excessive sweating, weakness, and nausea. Make sure your patients know the signs of health exhaustion so that they know when to seek medical help. To stop heat exhaustion before these symptoms occur, tell your patients to seek refuge on hot days, avoid outdoor activities at certain times a day, and stay hydrated.
2. Asthma
Humidity fluctuates during transitional seasons like spring and fall. As a result, there is more pollen and mold floating around in the air. This can wreak havoc on an asthma sufferer’s lungs. To avoid unnecessary discomfort, tell your patients to stay inside during days when the air quality is poor. They can monitor air quality on websites such as airnow.gov.
3. Foodborne Illnesses
Cookouts and picnics are on the horizon. Everyone loves a tasty meal, but make sure that your patients are paying attention to food safety. Perishable foods could be exposed to high temperatures which can easily cause food poisoning. Symptoms of food poisoning include diarrhea and vomiting. Older adults with chronic conditions, young children, and people with weak immune systems should be on high alert for soiled food. To help avoid bacteria growing on food, make sure that your patients are keeping their perishable food items in coolers or refrigerators.
4. Otitis Externa (Swimmer’s Ear)
Whether they’re at the beach or in a swimming pool, your patients are at a higher risk of getting water stuck their ear canals. Swimmer’s ear is a common ear infection that can affect anyone. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there are 2.4 million cases of Otis Externa each year. To help your patients steer clear of this nasty infection, tell them to tilt their heads while pulling their ear lobes down. If that doesn’t work, a hairdryer can do the trick — as long as it’s on a low setting and too close to the ear. Make sure you warn your patients against using cotton swabs to clean their ears after being in the water. Earwax acts as a protective layer for the ear, and removing it while the ear is still wet could actually increase the chance of infection.
5. Lyme Disease
Diseases spread through insect bites are at an all-time high during the summer months. Lyme disease is one of the most common diseases to watch out for. Most cases of Lyme disease occur in June and July. This is because more people are participating in outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, and gardening. Lyme Disease cases body aches, rash, and headaches. All it takes is one tick bite to get this disease. Without proper treatment, Lyme disease can cause more serious issues like heart or nerve damage. Tell your patients to always use a repellent (with 20%+ DEET) and check for ticks on their skin whenever they are in the woods.
6. Urushiol Allergic Reactions
Poison oak, poison sumac, and poison ivy all contain an oil called urushiol. Approximately 85% of people are allergic to it. Once exposed to urushiol, rashes are common and can be treated with calamine or hydrocortisone. However, remind your patients to seek medical attention if the rash occurs on their face (eyelids and lips especially) or genitals. To avoid exposure, encourage your patients to wear long pants and sleeves while walking through the woods.
Are there any other common summer health issues that you warn your patients about? Tell us about them in the comments below.
