Summer is
the time to take a cool dip indulge yourself with chilled beverages,
popsicles and ice-creams, and go on a
vacation. But you are also likely so to suffer from common problems such as a heat stroke, sunburn, such
as a heat stroke, sunburn, conjunctivitis
and prickly heat due to the rising mercury. How to battle these issues
is a well-known fact. So we list some other aliments that can plague you this season and tell you how to cope with them. ALLERGIES: What is it: Summer brings with
it allergies caused by pollen, mold, insect bites, poison by ivy weeds,
grass and dust mites etc. Hay fever is a
common summer allergy that occurs
due to certain kinds of pollen from plants and
grass. SYMPTOMS: Runny or blocked nose, sniffling , sneezing,
watery eyes, cough, itchy throat, eyes and nose are the most common
symptoms. HOW TO DEAL WITH IT: While
lozenges nasal sprays , eye drops and steam inhalation provide you relief from cough and cold, painkillers
calamine lotion and topical creams help to ease insect stings. PREVENTIVE MEASURES: Keep allergies at bay by ensuring that your home and office are dust free. Vacuum often, wash bedding and
rugs in hot water and wear a mask when you how your lawn.
VIRAL FEVER:
What is it: High temperature coupled
with humidity leads to viral fever.
SYMPTOMS: High fever , sore throat skin rash, nasal congestion,
headache, nausea and vomiting are the
most obvious symptoms. HOW TO DEAL WITH
IT: Painkillers antipyretics for fever,
nasal decongestants etc help. Intake of plenty of fluids salt water gargling and steam inhalation provide respite . Consume plenty of fruits and vegetable . Avoid
oily food. PREVENTIVE
MEASURES: What is it: During the transition
from winter to summer varicella zoster viruses multiply to spread chickenpox in children
adults pregnant, women and even newborns . It usually lasts from 5-10 days. SYMPTOMS:
Red itchy rash shows up on the
face, chest and back and spreads to the
rest of the body. the rash turns into fluid-filled blisters and eventually into scabs that fall off. Other
symptoms include fever, headache, loss
of appetite and fatigue.
HOW TO DEAL WITH IT: Calamine lotion
and oatmeal baths ease itching. Antiviral medications
may be prescribed in people with weak immune systems.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES: Once your get chickenpox the virus stays in your body and you may contract herpes zoster commonly called shingles. A chickenpox vaccine can prevent it or make it less severe if you do get it. HEPATITIS A
AND E What it is : Hepatitis is
the inflammation of the liver. It’s very easy to get infected with hepatitis A and E viruses during the this time of the year because
these enter the body through contaminated food and water or if you are in close contact with someone who is infected.
SYMPTOMS: If you are suffering from Hepatitis A and E you are likely to
suffer from loss ofappetite, nausea, vomiting fatigue abdominal discomfort , low-grade fever jaundice, clay
-coloured stools and joint pain. HOW
TO DEAL WITH IT: To ease nausea, snack
more. Eat fruits vegetables, non-oily food and foods that are east
to digest. Do not drink alcohol. Your
lives will heal in less than six months.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES:
Hepatitis A can be prevented with
a vaccine. However, there is no vaccine
for hepatitis E Practice
good hygiene. Avoid raw or undercooked meat and fish wash salad
vegetable and fresh fruits before eating
. Drink boiled water. Wash your hands often especially after using the toilet
or changing or before preparing food or eating.
FOOD POISONING: What is it:
Eating food contaminated with
bacteria such as staphylococci, staph
aureus, salmonella, E. coli etc., can cause food poisoning. Avoid
consuming stale food or food that is
left and out of the fridge for long.
SYMPTOMS: Diarrhoea, frequent, loose motions, stomach cramps,
abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting
dehydration and fatigue are the most
common symptoms. HOW TO DEAL WITH IT: Replace lost fluids with water and electrolytes. Keep sipping on oral dehydration solution (ORS) to supplement the loss of
electrolytes. Medications may be prescribed to relieve stomach crams and oral antibiotics to get rid of
the bacterial infection . PREVENTIVE
MEASURES: Practice good personal hygiene , kitchen hygiene and good food handling practice. Avoid eating stale food and
unwashed raw salads, fruits etc., and drink safe water. Wash your hands
frequently with soap and water to
prevent spread of function. SWIMMER’S
EAR : What is it: Taking a dip is one of the best ways to cool off
during summer. But if you don’t take proper care, you end up with an
infection of the outer ear canal. This
is a harmless but painful ailment
medically termed as acute external otitis. SYMPTOMS:
If you have contracted
swimmer’s ear, you are likely to
suffer from discomfort pain in the ear,
itching and discharge from the
ear. HOW TO DEAL WITH: Pain relief
medication and eardrops for infection control can help. PREVENTIVE MEASURES: Wear earplugs when you
go swimming especially in the sea. Wear a
waterproof bathing cap that covers your
ears. Dry your ears throughly after a swim.
IN DEEP WATER Did you know that water can keep you
healthy in this scorching heat ? Read on
to know more: EVERY DROP COUNTS: You really do need to drink least one and a half litres of water each day. If the
weather is hot or you are involved in some physical activity you need even more
water to replenish lost fluids. NEVER WAIT UNTIL YOU ARE THIRSTY: By the time
you thirsty you are already dehydrated
and probably already lost two or more
cups of the your total body water composition.
so hydrate before the body starts asking for it. WAKE UP AND DRINK WATER: Your body loses water while you sleep , so
drink a glass before you go to sleep, and again when you wake up. DRINK AS YOU EXERCISE: When you exercise , carry a bottle of water
and drink water throughout . One needs a to drink water to make up what was lost to perspiration. DRINK WHEN
YOU’RE ILL” Even though you don’t feel like it, you especially need water when you’re not eating because you’re under the
weather . You’ll dehydrate and feel much worse. Common colds
and the flu can also lead to dehydration . Lethargy sets in even with the water
bottle next to you in bed. But drink up to stay healthy.!