Summer may be a few weeks out, but many of us are already spending a lot of time outside. Here are five key topics on the minds of Mercy Clinic providers:
Sun
Staying Hydrated
Swimming pools, lakes and oceans - nothing says summer like being in the water. But if you aren’t drinking enough water, especially in the summer months, you could be at risk for dehydration. While we generally recommend drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day, the true amount largely depends on your level of activity throughout the day, whether you work out regularly, and if you are pregnant or nursing. In the summer months, the more you sweat, the more you should replenish with water and electrolytes.
Insects
We aren’t the only ones who look forward to spending most of our time outdoors. Summertime bugs and insects cover the landscape, and we make it pretty easy for them to do so with our backyard barbeques and campground cookouts. And while many of these bugs are harmless, others can be very dangerous, and even deadly. So when you’re out enjoying the great outdoors, consider a few of these tricks to keep these pesky nuisances at bay.
Protective Gear
No matter your age of level of experience, wearing protective gear when engaging in activities where your head or other parts of your body are vulnerable to injury should be a no-brainer. This is especially important for children because they have proportionally larger heads with higher centers of gravity and their coordination is not fully developed. Sure, no one enjoys wearing a lot of gear when they’re out having fun, but in the case of the child, it’s important for the parents to lead by example.
Weather
We know that the weather can change at a moment’s notice, so it’s important to always be aware of the forecast and potential hazards nearby. In the late spring and early summer, thunderstorms are a common occurrence and also come with a risk of lightening, hail and even tornadoes.