As the temperature rises in the summer, it becomes increasingly difficult to do anything than snuggle up inside an air-conditioned room or dive into the water. Along with knowing how to stay healthy during the summer months, it becomes important to know how the summer season impacts your health. From heat exhaustion to allergies, here're five ways summer impacts your health.
Heat Causes Heat Exhaustion
One of the three heat-related illnesses is heat exhaustion, which is caused due to summer heat. It is a condition that happens when your body overheats, which is accompanied by symptoms like heavy sweating, dehydration, headache, clammy skin, dizziness, tiredness, nausea, cramps, and a weak pulse. The longer time you spend in the heat, the more you are at risk of getting heat stroke.
As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people in this state should go to a cool environment, drink water, take a cool bath, or wear cool wet garments. They should seek medical attention, if these symptoms intensify or persist for more than an hour or a person is vomiting.
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Extreme Heat Causes Heat Stroke
Another way summer heat can harm your health is through heat stroke, which is another heat-related illness. Heat stroke happens when your body temperature rises to 103 Fahrenheit or higher. This condition can be fatal, where symptoms can range from fast and strong pulse, confusion, decreased sweating, loss of consciousness, and symptoms of heat exhaustion. CDC suggests that if you or anyone you know suffers from heat stroke, you should immediately move to a cool place. During this time, you should also avoid drinking anything. You should put on clothes and take a cool bath, followed by calling for medical help.
Deteriorates Mental Well-Being
Summer heat can also take a toll on your mental health and well-being. Research published in the JAMA Psychiatry found that higher warm-season temperatures are linked to increased emergency department visits for any mental health condition, particularly mental health diseases, in the United States.
Also Read: How to Manage Allergic Rhinitis During Summer, Expert Weighs In
More Heat Lead To More Pollution & Breathing Issues
You might have also observed a rise in poor air quality during summer. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), health risk increases when air pollution and extreme heat increase. The health risk involved is lung diseases, heart diseases, respiratory illness, asthma, and emphysema. It also stated that the number of death rates increases on hot and polluted days.
Makes Allergies & Asthma Worse
Warmer weather also raises the allergy and can make asthma worse. This may happen due to an increase in the number of pollens in the environment during the spring, raising allergic reactions. Also, more carbon dioxide increases the levels of pollen, causing allergy patients to sneeze and sniffle more, making asthma attacks more common.
Conclusion
Therefore you should be prepared for the summer heat. Make sure to stay hydrated, apply sunscreen liberally, and wear light clothing, hair with a hat, and eyes with sunglasses, to protect yourself from heat.
Image Credits: freepik
