Most Common Summer Health Problems
We want you to enjoy the summer season and all of its perks. But, to get the most out of the summer festivities, it’s important to keep your health in mind. Here, we’ve compiled the most common summer health problems so that you can be well this season.
Food Poisoning
Due to the hotter and more humid weather in the summer, cases of food poisoning are much higher. In greater heat and humidity, bacteria grow on food much faster, making food poisoning more likely. To avoid food poisoning this summer, make sure to keep perishable foods refrigerated. Leaving food out for as little as 1 hour on a hot day could lead to food poisoning. If you’re having an outdoor event, make sure that the perishable foods are kept in a cooler with plenty of ice.
Asthma Attacks
There are many factors that can raise the risk of asthma attacks in the summer, including elevated pollen levels, mold growth caused by humidity, and additional air pollution. For people with asthma, these factors make for a higher risk of asthma attacks. Checking pollen counts and air pollution online for your area can be helpful. If you can, stay inside when levels of pollen and/or air pollution are high.
Sunburn
Summer is the time to spend more time in the sunshine. While time in the sun can provide a much-needed mood boost and a dose of vitamin D, it also leads to UV-ray exposure. The sun’s harsh UV rays can cause painful sunburns that may put your summer on hold. But, more dangerously, UV-ray exposure can also increase your risk of developing skin cancer.
When you get a sunburn, it means that the sun’s UV rays have done irreversible damage to a portion of the DNA in your skin cells. This damage can accumulate over the years and may eventually lead to skin cancer. So, to protect yourself against sunburn and skin cancer this summer, make sure to wear sunscreen every day and reapply if you’re spending time outside.
For answers to all of your summer health questions, schedule an appointment at Florida Wellness Medical Group.