Summer is finally here! The doctors of Privia Medical Group North Texas (PMGNTX) want you to enjoy your summer and to keep your family safe and healthy in the process. Here are some tips on how to plan for common health concerns in the summer months.
The Heat is On
If you’re a native Texan or lived here for some time, you know that our summers are extremely hot. It’s a tradeoff most of us are happy to accept in exchange for our relatively mild winters.
If you’re a new Texan who’s moved here in the last few months, welcome! And if you moved here from a northern climate, get ready for a new kind of summer heat. Our weather also gets very humid, which makes it feel hotter than it really is. When meteorologists factor humidity levels in with the actual air temperature, the result is the heat index, or the “feels like” temperature.
“Pay attention to what the TV meteorologist or your weather app is telling you year-round,” recommends Dr. Murali Manne, an internal medicine physician in Fort Worth. “Just as you wouldn’t ignore a tornado warning or an incoming ice storm, you should not ignore the Excessive Heat Warnings that are not uncommon here in the summer.”
According to the National Weather Service, an Excessive Heat Warning is issued ahead of “extremely dangerous heat conditions.” Generally, these are issued in the DFW area when the high heat index temperature is 105 degrees Fahrenheit or higher for two or more days in a row and the overnight low temperature does not fall below 75 degrees. The Weather Service may use a lower threshold for an Excessive Heat Warning for areas of the country that are not as accustomed to extremely hot temperatures.
For those of us in North Texas, however, these extreme heat events are not unusual. We have plenty of summer days when the temperature does not fall below 80 degrees, much less 75.
Why is Extreme Heat so Dangerous?
“Extreme heat can make you very sick,” explains Dr. Manne. “In some cases, people end up in the hospital or even lose their lives due to heat exposure, so take it seriously! The best ways to guard against extreme heat are to limit exposure and to stay well-hydrated.”
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion occurs when a person loses too much water and salt from their bodies, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, nausea, heavy sweating and shallow breathing.
If you experience these symptoms, get to a cool area (indoors, if possible) and drink plenty of water or other non-carbonated, non-alcoholic fluids. Applying a cool cloth or taking a cool bath can also aid recovery from heat exhaustion.
Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is a medical emergency – it occurs when the body gets extremely overheated and is unable to regulate its internal temperature. A person suffering from heat stroke can quickly reach a temperature of up to 106 degrees Fahrenheit.
Symptoms of heat stroke include hallucinations, chills and dry, hot skin. If you think someone may be suffering from heat stroke, call 911 immediately and get the person to a cool area and soak them in cool water.
Keys to Avoiding Heat-related Sickness:
- Drink plenty of water! Avoid sodas and alcohol
- Wear lose-fitting, light-colored clothing; dark colors absorb sunlight and make you even hotter.
- Limit exposure – don’t stay outside too long when it is extremely hot. If you are hiking or camping, take frequent breaks in the shade.
- Watch your activity level: if you are outside working in heat, be extra careful. Do yard work early in the morning when temperatures are cooler.
Heat & Your Heart
People with heart health conditions need to be especially careful during the hot summer months.
For those with high blood pressure (hypertension), it’s important to be mindful of the amount of time they spend outdoors when it is hot.
High temperatures and humidity levels cause more blood flow to the skin – this has the effect of causing the heart to beat faster, as it is pumping more blood than normal. This process can exacerbate elevated blood pressure.
People who are overweight, over age 50, or who have lung and kidney conditions can be adversely affected by heat and high humidity.
And while anyone can become dehydrated, it’s especially problematic for people in these higher-risk categories.
Practice Sun Safety
Summer brings with it lots of sunshine – and risk of sunburn. While it’s important to be conscious of sun exposure year-round – you can get sunburned in the winter – people tend to be in the sun more in the summer because they are swimming, at the beach or doing something else outside.
Sunburn itself is no fun. The sun’s ultraviolet rays can cause sunburn almost immediately, causing skin to redden and eventually become painful and itchy.
Worse, though, is the long-term effect of repeated sunburn. Too much exposure to the sun’s harmful rays over many years is the leading cause of skin cancer, the most common type of cancer in the United States.
There are two types of UV rays that reach the earth’s surface – UVA and UVB. UVA rays penetrate the skin and are responsible for premature aging signs, such as wrinkles and spots. UVB rays primarily affect the surface of the skin, causing sunburn.
Anyone who spends time in the sun is susceptible to skin cancer, but those with the following characteristics are at greater risk:
- Fairer, lighter skin
- Freckles or skin that reddens easily
- Blue or green eyes
- Blonde or red hair
- A family history of skin cancer
- Older age
- Having a large number of skin moles
Defeat UV Rays with Sunscreen
The key to beating back those UV rays is a good sunscreen. There are two types of sunscreen: chemical and physical. A chemical sunscreen works by absorbing UV rays, with their active ingredients acting as a sponge. A physical sunscreen serves as a barrier to the UV rays, deflecting them much like a shield would deflect an arrow. Some people with sensitive skin may opt for this type of sunscreen.
Sunscreens are classified by their Sun Protection Factor (SPF). You should use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, which will block 97% of UVB rays. The higher the SPF, the more protection the sunscreen provides, but an SPF of 60 is not twice as protective as an SPF of 30.
Sunscreen Tips
Use sunscreen whenever you will be spending time in the sun, following these best practices:
- Be generous when applying sunscreen; most people don’t use enough of it
- Apply sunscreen to every exposed area of skin, including your feet, hands and head
- Using your hands, rub sunscreen into your face
- Your lips can also be harmed by the sun, so use some lipstick or lip balm with SPF
- Reapply sunscreen every two hours
- When swimming, reapply sunscreen every time you get out of the water
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that all sunscreens maintain their effectiveness for at least three years. If you have some sunscreen in the cabinet from last year, check the expiration date before you use it. If it is out of date, throw it away and buy some more.
For babies and toddlers, it is best to minimize their time in the sun and protect them with loose-fitting clothing, a hat and sunglasses. Sunscreen should generally not be used for babies under six months of age.
Using sunscreen consistently and correctly is one of the most important things you can do to prevent sunburn and long-term skin damage, including skin cancer.
Protect Yourself Outdoors
If your summer plans include hiking, camping and swimming – great! Time spent in the Great Outdoors – and not in front of a screen – is good for the entire family’s physical and mental health.
Banish the Bugs
A good insect repellant is a must when hiking or camping. When outdoors, protect yourself from mosquito bites by using an insect repellent with DEET, an ingredient that has proven effective at repelling the types of mosquitos known to carry West Nile virus. Apply insect repellent to all exposed skin. Using your hands, rub some on your face, just like you would with sunscreen.
Some insect repellents also provide protection against ticks, which can carry Lyme disease and other illnesses. Protection from ticks, in addition to mosquitos, is important if your family’s summer plans include camping or hiking in the woods.
You can and should use sunscreen and insect repellant at the same time. Insect repellant lasts longer, so you do not have to reapply it as frequently as sunscreen.
Safety in – and near – the Water
Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4 and the second leading cause of death for kids 5-14. Every day in the United States, there is an average of 11 drowning deaths.
Teaching children to be strong swimmers is crucial to keeping them safe in the water. However, even if your child is adept at swimming, parents must never let their guard down around the water.
“Anytime young children are near or in the water, an adult must supervise them continuously,” says Dr. Ramu Rangineni, an internal medicine physician in North Richland Hills. “In the time it takes to answer a phone call or glance at a text message, a child can go underwater and drown.”
Swimming Pools
For people who have pools at home, installing a safety fence around the pool is highly recommended to prevent young children from getting in the water unsupervised.
Also be mindful of keeping your pool chemistry where it needs to be. Too much or little of the necessary chemicals can irritate your skin and eyes. Inadequate sanitation and filtration can lead to unhealthy bacteria levels in the water.
Rivers and Lakes
If you’ll be camping near a river this summer, be aware of the current and forecasted conditions in the area. If there is suddenly a lot of rain, a peaceful stream can become a dangerous, raging river in minutes.
Going to the lake? If your plans include boating, keep in mind that boating and alcohol do not mix well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD), alcohol is one of the top contributors to boating accidents. The same rules that apply to driving also apply to boating in Texas: if you have a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or higher, you can be charged with boating while intoxicated.
Lifejackets are a must in any boat. Texas law requires that every boat carry one life jacket for each person on board. Additionally, all children under the age of 13 must wear a life jacket at all times. TPWD data shows that for people who drowned in a boating accident, 86% were not wearing a life jacket.
At the Beach
If you’re at the beach, pay attention to the water conditions each day. A riptide current can defeat even the strongest swimmers.
Keep an eye out for jellyfish, also. If you step on one, you’ll have a painful – and possibly dangerous – experience.
One More Thing: Leave Fireworks to the Pros!
We have some great orthopedic surgeons at Privia North Texas – but we don’t want you to have to see them because you lost a finger in a fireworks accident!
As we gear up to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, there will be plenty of amazing fireworks shows across North Texas. Take the family to go watch one of those and leave the pyrotechnics to the professionals. There’s no need to risk your own safety – and your personal property – by setting off your own.
Happy Summer!
The summer months should be an opportunity to slow down a bit, spend extra time with your family, make some new memories and maybe get away for a week or two. Whether your plans take you halfway around the world or to your own backyard, keep these common-sense precautions in mind to protect the health and safety of you and your family.
On behalf of all the providers of Privia Medical Group North Texas, enjoy your summer – and stay cool!
This article has been reviewed and approved by a panel of Privia Medical Group North Texas physicians.
This article contains information sourced from:
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
