Making 2021 Your Healthiest Summer Yet

Having a Happy & Healthy Summer

We're here to share some tips to help keep you and your family as healthy as possible to allow you to enjoy your summer break to the fullest!

Summertime Illnesses to Look Out For Sunburn

Although sunburns are fairly common, many people don’t really understand what they are. When your skin is exposed to excessive amounts of sunlight, it has an inflammatory response to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays.

For fairer skinned people, spending time in the sun without proper protection can lead to the following sunburn symptoms:

• Redness
• Swelling and inflammation
• Blistering
• Peeling skin
• Painful to the touch

While sunburns can be relatively harmless, continuous unprotected exposure to UV rays can eventually lead to the development of skin cancer. Remember to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher when spending time outdoors.

Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion happens when your body becomes too hot too quickly, and your body is unable to regulate its temperature due to dehydration. If left unaddressed, this condition progresses into a heat streak.

Common signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

• Sweating heavily
• Cold and clammy skin
• Fast but weak pulse
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Muscle aches
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Passing out

Food Poisoning

Although food poisoning can strike at any time of year, it’s more common during the summer months because hotter temperatures can cause food to spoil more quickly.

The following symptoms may point to the presence of food poisoning.

• Stomach cramping
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Upset stomach

Swimmer’s Ear

Swimmer’s ear is a type of middle ear infection that is common for those who spend a lot of time in the water—which is common for kids and teens during the summer months. When swimming, moisture can irritate or break down the skin within the ear canal, subsequently allowing bacteria and fungus to pass into the middle ear.

Common swimmer’s ear symptoms include:

• Ear pain
• Painful chewing
• Itchy ears
• Swelling of the ear canal
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Cloudy discharge draining from the ear

Get Up & Get Active
Focus on Each Area of Fitness

Whether you’re a professional athlete or you’re interested in leading a healthier lifestyle, it’s important to focus on each individual component of your physical fitness.

When embarking on your fitness routine, be sure to work on different exercises and stretches that touch on the following:

• Muscle strength
• Cardiovascular endurance
• Flexibility and range of motion

Fun Summer Activities for the Whole Family

If you’re looking for activities the whole family can enjoy this summer, try adding some of these to your to-do list:

• Hiking
• Rock climbing
• Yoga
• Biking
• Running
• Soccer
• Basketball
• Baseball
• Nature walking
• Kite flying
• Swimming
• Gardening
• Playing in sprinklers
• Camping

Staying Adequately Hydrated

Staying hydrated is essential when it comes to supporting your physical health and wellness—especially during hotter weather. While losing more water than you’re taking in typically causes a mild form of dehydration, more severe cases can cause serious heat-related illnesses, urinary health problems, and even seizures.

To stay properly hydrated, drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day. You can also up your water intake by eating the following fruits and veggies:

• Broccoli
• Spinach
• Watermelon
• Peaches
• Celery
• Cantaloupe
• Cucumber
• Tomato
• C cauliflower
• Bell peppers
• Carrots

Practice Swim Safety

With more than 3,500 fatal accidental drowning incidents each year, it is important to do everything you can to practice proper swim safety when spending time in and around the water.

Always Supervise Kids & Teens

As the leading cause of death for children between the ages of 1 and 14, it is essential for adults to properly supervise children and tees when swimming. When spending time at the pool, lake, or any body of water—make sure that there is an adult present who is paying close attention even when a lifeguard is close by.

Avoid Alcohol Consumption

Although many people like to drink when spending time in the pool or on the water during the summertime, this can actually be a drowning hazard. More than 70% of accidental drowning accidents involve drinking alcohol. While drinking can already impair your coordination and critical thinking skills, these effects are intensified by the hotter weather.

Remember to Drink Water While in the Water

Even though you’re surrounded by water, many people forget to hydrate when swimming. Because you exert a lot of energy with this activity, swimming can leave you at an increased risk of heat exhaustion. Remember to grab a bottle of water and hydrate while enjoying water-related activities!

How Moms-to-Be Can Beat the Summer Heat
Remember to Hydrate Often

Staying properly hydrated is extremely important during the summertime, especially for pregnant women. Although the average person is advised to drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day, pregnant women should try to hydrate more often because they’re exerting more energy than the average person.

Cool Yourself Down With a Water Mister

Pregnant women’s bodies are continuously undergoing physical and hormonal changes, causing their bodies to run warmer than the average person. This leaves pregnant women at an increased risk for dehydration and heat exhaustion during the summer months.

An easy way to help cool your body down is to mist your face and body with water when spending time outside.

Go for a Dip in the Pool

Staying physically active is important to maintain your physical health throughout the duration of your pregnancy. However, the summer weather may make this a mountain of a task. Fortunately, you can work out most major muscle groups and enjoy some relief on your joints while swimming! The next time you're looking to work toward your weekly fitness goals while staying cool at the same time, take a strip to the pool, lake, or beach!

Primary and Specialty Care in Henry County

At Henry County Hospital, we’ve been providing compassionate healthcare since 1919. When it comes to primary and specialty care, each patient can expect individualized care that meets their needs. From education to emotional support, we focus on your individual health and wellness.