What are the most common summertime diseases and how can they be prevented?

Summer is around the corner! It is a season with its fair share of cheerfulness and potential risk. Certain diseases are most common to rise in the summer due to increasing temperatures. Exposure to heat is not only harmful to the environment but also to the health of the human body. 

Due to this, the body needs to take all the precautionary steps before going into the scorching heat.In this guide, we will be discussing the 4 most common diseases that can be a threat to human health and tips on how to prevent them.

1. Dehydration:

Certainly, the most common illness during the summer is dehydration. Dehydration, in simple words, means to have less fluid in the water than is consumed. It is an imbalance of water in the body where the body loses more fluid and gains less. The reason why its potential increases during the summer is because of heat and sweating. More causes of dehydration could be: 

• Excessive Sweating: In summer, our body perspires to regulate the temperature to beat the heat. More sweating leads to a loss of fluid, which eventually leads to dehydration. 
• Increased urination: The body has more urge to urinate during the summer to cool down the body level. It reduces the water level in the body. 
• Diarrhea: Summer creates an environment that gives rise to pathogens that cause gastrointestinal issues. Diarrhea is one of the most common issues where passing out watery stools causes a lack of water. 

Here are a few symptoms to check whether you have dehydration or not: 

• Thirst 
• Dark-colored urine
• Dry skin, lips and mouth
• Feeling confused and hazy
• Fatigue or weakness
• Headaches
• Low blood pressure 

Drink more water! Yes, it's a simple and primary step, but you can do more to prevent dehydration. For example: 

• Avoid doing outdoor activities during this time.
• Keep drinking when feeling thirsty and prioritize hydration.
• Drink more fluids like coconut water, fruit juices, etc.
• Always keep rehydration powders and consume them if dehydration symptoms arise.
• Eat lots of fruits. 
• Increase water intake during physical activities.

The Role of Hydration in Overall Health: Importance and Tips for Staying Hydrated

Also known as sunstroke, heat stroke happens when the body temperature increases drastically. It is often termed “loo” in Hindi. It is one of the most common summer diseases, caused when a person comes into contact with hot winds. 

• Increased Outdoor Activities: The major reason is staying outdoors for a prolonged time and, to worsen, performing activities. 
• Dehydration: when the body loses maximum fluid through sweating, contributing to dehydration and worsening heatstroke.
• Chronic health conditions: People with chronic illnesses are more prone to dehydration. This exposes  you to the risk of having heatstroke. 

The symptoms of heatstroke include: 

• High body temperature 
• Throbbing headache
• Dizziness
• Skin turning red
• Less urination
• Fast heartbeat 
• Feeling disoriented

Managing heatstroke is very important because it can affect the body's functioning, especially the brain and heart. If it turns out to be severe, it can even prove fatal. Following are the ways to prevent it:

• Avoid staying outdoors when the heat is at its peak.
• Drink plenty of water before going outdoors. 
• Avoid doing exercise outdoors.
• Wear loose-fitting clothes, allowing the sweat to evaporate.
• Cover skin and face using a mask or scarf. 
• Avoid going outdoors immediately after taking medications

Managing Chronic Conditions: Strategies for Living Well With Chronic Illnesses

Also called allergic rhinitis, this fever is a kind of allergic reaction. A person is more likely to develop in April and May. In this disease, foreign particles enter the body that immunity can't fight off. 

Here is the list of common allergens that trigger hay fever: 

• Tree pollen, which increases during spring,
• Pet dander
• Dust mites
• Grass pollen
• Cockroaches dropouts.

• Running nose
• Coughing and sneezing
• Fatigues
• Itchy or red eyes
• Dark circles under the eye
• Mucus drip
• Itchy throat or ears

• Wear masks before going outdoors.
• Identify triggers that cause allergies to prevent in further.
• Use air purifiers and dehumidifiers
• Do dusting and cleaning intervals.
• Rinse eyes every time after coming from outside.
• Avoid gardening if you are allergic to pollen and dust.

Breath of Relief: Know about Seasonal Allergies, Causes and Prevention

Food poisoning is consuming contaminated food that causes illness. During warmer temperatures, bacteria in food tend to multiply faster. This can interact with the body, causing food poisoning. 

• Vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea
• Fever 

• Avoid eating outside during the summer.
• Avoid eating undercooked meat and vegetables.
• Keep food in an airtight container when not in use.
• Maintain cleanliness while eating and making food.
• Eat freshly cut fruits.
• Check the label and expiration date before consuming food.

* Summing up:

By adopting precautionary steps, one can easily keep diseases at bay during the summer. There are many more diseases related to the skin, heart, and overall body that are risky if we do embrace prevention. Therefore, it is highly advised to follow the measures mentioned in this article. Don't restrict your summer to becoming the most adventurous. Stay updated, healthy, hydrated, and, most importantly, away from scorching heat to stay safe.