It is not uncommon that there are certain diseases that occur prominently in certain seasons over others. For example, cold and flu commonly occur during the winters. Mosquito and water-borne diseases like dengue, malaria, etc. occur during monsoons. Prevention is better than cure, and not surprisingly, a lot of it can be prevented by maintaining a good exercise regime and a healthy diet. For the scorching hot summers, this is what we at InstaFitness recommend for common summer diseases-
- Food Poisoning: The leading cause of this is the consumption of contaminated food or water, or following a diet that is simply not suited for summer. It is a common summer disease in India. Food poisoning causes the onset of stomach pain, diarrhea, etc. If you’re someone who consumes a lot of meat, it is advisable to reduce consumption during summers.
Consume fresh and seasonal fruits and vegetables, keep yourself hydrated with either juice or water. It is easy to overdo on your diet and face problems like food poisoning. Eat 5-7 small meals per day so your body is continuously hydrated. For more information, you can consult with our expert dietician here to develop a risk-free healthy diet plan for the summer.
- Dehydration: One of the most common summer problems, dehydration can cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, yellow fever and excessive sweating. Dehydration occurs from prolonged exposure to dry air or the sun, which is also inevitable because we have to travel to work etc. Warning signs like lack of sweating, flushed face with sunken eyes, dizziness or fainting, etc need to be watched out for.
So, what can you do to avoid it? The most common tip is to drink plenty of water or fluids that will help retain water level in the body. You can also use WHO-ORS solutions which are cheaply available in case you are dehydrated. For adults, avoid caffeinated beverages like soda, packaged drinks, etc.
- Skin rashes: If you work out regularly, then it is a common health problem for you to get skin rashes and other skin related ailments in the summer due to sweat. Wear a breathable material like cotton or polyester, so that your clothing doesn’t trap the heat.
For bottoms, wear something flexible preferably with an elastic waistband like yoga pants and track pants. Apart from this, it is also important for you to choose the right footwear according to your age.
For example, if you are going to be running on the treadmill more with a cardio-focused workout, then wear lightweight running shoes. If your regime is based around strength training, then pick a shoe that has ample arch and ankle support. Pair this with breathable cotton socks, ankle-length.