In July and August, the cardiovascular, digestive, urinary, and nervous systems come under threat. The risk of contracting intestinal and seasonal infections increases, allergies flare up, and the likelihood of sunburn and heat strokes rises. Who is at risk, and how can we tackle the challenges of summer?
Cardiovascular System
Summer poses significant health risks for the elderly, as one of the most vulnerable organs in the heat is the heart. During this time, our “engine” has to work harder to pump blood, which becomes thicker and less oxygenated due to fluid loss. For those with cardiovascular diseases, summer can be a true test of endurance. Potential issues include vegetative-vascular crises (dystonia), fainting, hypoxia, hypertension, heart attacks, or strokes.
For individuals with heart conditions, heavy physical exertion in the heat is dangerous, and long trips, flights, and changes in climate zones are contraindicated. People with cardiovascular problems are often sensitive to weather changes, which can lead to rapid fatigue and energy drops under unfavorable conditions. Fluctuations in atmospheric pressure, humidity, and temperature can trigger headaches and blood pressure spikes, which may rise or fall unexpectedly.
To avoid feeling like a “squeezed lemon,” it’s crucial to follow the guidelines recommended by doctors for coping with the heat: reduce activity, take breaks, wear breathable and loose clothing made from light natural fabrics like cotton, linen, or silk, stay hydrated with still water to prevent dehydration, and focus on proper nutrition that replenishes the body with moisture, potassium, and magnesium. A balanced intake of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats (50-55%, 12-14%, and 20-30% respectively) is essential for good health.
Hypertension
Blood pressure readings above 139/89 mmHg are considered dangerous. Factors contributing to elevated blood pressure include excessive salt intake, high-calorie foods, and a lack of dietary fiber and essential micronutrients. Specifically, a calcium deficiency can lead to hypertension, as calcium deposits on the walls of blood vessels, heart muscle, and kidneys when magnesium is lacking. This is why both elements should be included in the diet (foods like seaweed, currants, watermelon, red peppers, carrots, and beets are beneficial).
To normalize blood circulation, incorporate vegetables, fruits, and fresh juices into your diet. Antioxidants such as vitamins C, E, and beta-carotene are essential for those with hypertension. Heart-healthy potassium can be found in spinach, beans, peas, potatoes, tomatoes, apricots, raisins, plums, apples, and bananas. Olive oil helps lower cholesterol. Dietary adjustments during the summer for those with hypertension should involve replacing red meat with fatty fish, which is a source of heart-healthy polyunsaturated fatty acids.
The consumption of refined carbohydrates can lead to the accumulation of harmful fats in the body, which negatively affects blood vessels and the heart. It’s better to obtain carbohydrates from plant-based foods rich in dietary fiber (grains, vegetables, fruits, and berries). The intake of animal and plant proteins should be balanced during the summer, as an imbalance can adversely affect blood lipid levels, narrowing blood vessel lumens, impairing blood flow, and increasing the risk of ischemia, stroke, and heart attack.
Intestinal Infections in Summer
Heat and increased humidity promote the growth of bacteria, viruses, and parasites. When these pathogens enter the body through food and drink, they can trigger intestinal infections. Favorable conditions for such seasonal illnesses include unsanitary conditions in food establishments, improper food storage, unwashed fruits, poor hygiene, and insect carriers (especially flies). For instance, E. coli is responsible for infections commonly known as “traveler’s diarrhea.” Despite similar symptoms, various diseases can be involved.
The most common intestinal infections during the summer include dysentery, salmonellosis, parasitic infections, and rotavirus or enterovirus infections. Symptoms manifest as abdominal pain and cramps, fever, diarrhea with mucus and blood, nausea, and vomiting. Besides intestinal infections, diarrhea can also result from stomach, pancreas, and liver diseases; stress from anxiety or fear; poisoning; or overheating.
An effective folk remedy for diarrhea is a decoction made from roasted sunflower seeds. Pour two cups of boiling water over a cup of seeds, simmer until half the water evaporates, and strain the decoction. For children with diarrhea, administer one tablespoon 1-3 times a day, while adults can drink half a cup. For stomach upset, traditional medicine recommends taking one tablespoon of potato starch mixed with water. However, since various causes can lead to discomfort, treatment should be monitored by a doctor.
Diarrhea
Nausea and abdominal pain can sometimes indicate a more serious issue than mere indigestion: they can be symptoms of a heart attack. In women, this may go unnoticed because the lower part of the heart, located near the diaphragm, is closer to the stomach, causing discomfort in that area. If stomach pain is accompanied by anxiety and a sense of fear, it may indicate a heart attack, which can only be confirmed through an ECG (women may not exhibit other typical symptoms such as severe chest pain or numbness in the left arm).
With elevated blood sugar and cholesterol levels, excess weight, or hypertension, it’s crucial to recognize these as risk factors for a heart attack and to pay close attention to the mentioned symptoms. Additionally, diarrhea can be a sign of food poisoning. Symptoms of mushroom poisoning, for example, include diarrhea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, cold sweat, limb cramps, vision disturbances, intense thirst, and abdominal pain. Besides poisoning, even edible mushrooms can cause stomach upset.
To prevent mushroom poisoning, avoid unfamiliar mushrooms, as well as those that are wormy, overripe, or have been stored for more than a day. In addition to poisonous mushrooms (such as fly agaric, death cap, satanic mushroom, false chanterelle, and bitter bolete), non-edible mushrooms or improperly prepared ones can also harm the body. For instance, milk caps should be consumed immediately after harvesting. Improperly prepared chanterelles, black trumpets, and saffron milk caps can cause mild poisoning. Avoid mushrooms with a sweet aroma, or the smell of radish or rotten potatoes.
Seasonal Infections
Summer is peak season for the spread of contagious viral diseases such as mumps, measles, and hepatitis. Mumps primarily threatens children during the height of summer. This “camp infection” spreads among children through respiratory droplets when an infected child coughs or sneezes. The parotid gland becomes swollen and painful, and mumps can cause a high fever. Immunity to the virus is developed through vaccination, which is administered to children twice as part of the National Vaccination Calendar.
Another summer viral respiratory infection is measles. Its initial symptoms include high fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose, and red eyes. Subsequently, a rash appears on the face and along the hairline, along with small white spots in the mouth. Vaccination is considered the primary method of measles prevention. The first dose is given at one year of age, with a second dose at six years. Adults are also recommended to get vaccinated if they have not had measles in childhood and have not been previously vaccinated.
The third summer seasonal infection is considered life-threatening—hepatitis. The virus enters the body through the fecal-oral route via contaminated food or water (drinks). The main symptoms of hepatitis include yellowing and itching of the skin, pale eyes, and dark urine. Hepatitis affects the liver. Prevention involves vaccination, maintaining hygiene, practicing safe behaviors during sexual contact, and avoiding the sharing of personal items such as manicure tools, toothbrushes, and razors.
How Heat Affects Children
Infants have not fully developed their thermoregulation, making them more susceptible to heat stress. While heat exacerbates chronic illnesses in adults, children are more vulnerable to overheating and dehydration. Symptoms and prevention of heat stroke are the same as in adults: from elevated body temperature, rapid pulse, and frequent breathing to loss of consciousness, seizures, and even potential heart failure (to prevent severe consequences, it’s essential to stay in a cool environment during the hottest part of the day).
Heat is also dangerous for children’s health due to dehydration. Fluid loss through sweating can lead to overheating (which poses a particular threat to infants). Warning signs include decreased appetite, lethargy, weakness, nausea, and vomiting. Heat exacerbates chronic illnesses (especially cardiovascular issues) and increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. During summer, children need to stay hydrated and wear light clothing made from natural fabrics. If necessary, immediate cooling measures should be taken, and medical assistance should be sought.
Expectant mothers also require careful attention during the summer: pregnancy and heat do not mix well. Overheating is contraindicated for both the mother and the fetus; maintaining hydration, wearing loose clothing, and avoiding sun exposure during peak hours are essential. Heat not only increases discomfort but also raises the risk of complications. A lack of fluids can reduce breast milk production and lead to fetal deformities. Overheating can cause hypoxia in the child and trigger miscarriage. Heat also exacerbates swelling and varicose veins.
Headaches
A pulsating headache is often a symptom of elevated blood pressure. To alleviate headaches caused by hypertension, include garlic and beets in your diet, as they help lower blood pressure. Your menu should consist of vegetables, fruits, and seafood. However, headaches in summer can also result from low blood pressure, anemia, and weakness due to poor nutrition. It’s important to eat 4-6 small meals a day. Fasting in the heat can trigger headaches.
Delayed snacking can lead to migraines, dizziness, and nausea (in the latter case, chewing ginger root can help). For hypotension and dizziness, a decoction made from walnut shells can be beneficial. Beverages that help with headaches in the heat include coffee, sweet compote made from dried fruits, or lemon tea. Vitamin C is a proven way to protect against heat and related headaches: this micronutrient is involved in collagen formation, which helps blood vessels maintain elasticity and tone in the heat.
If every action feels laborious, eat 50 grams of any nuts and 100 grams of dried fruits—raisins, apricots, dates, or prunes. Dark grapes, due to their melanin pigment, help with adaptation during weather sensitivity. To prevent headaches, soak a handful of raisins in cold water overnight and drink the infusion in the morning. Foods that help with weather sensitivity include vegetables, whole grain bread, blueberries, olive oil, beans, and walnuts. Reducing salt intake has no harmful effects on the body.
Nervous System
Extreme temperatures negatively impact the nervous system, leading to increased fatigue, irritability, sleep disturbances, and decreased cognitive abilities. During summer, some people may feel depressed or moody, while others may wake up feeling tired and constantly drowsy. Magnesium, found in the same foods recommended for summer nutrition for those with heart failure, can help combat the symptoms of so-called “summer depression.”
Magnesium can be found in rye bread, buckwheat, walnuts, oatmeal, bran, cocoa, spinach, and more. The brain requires lecithin, which is present in grains, brewer’s yeast, peanuts, soy, eggs, liver, or fish. Physiological stimulants of immunity include cold, hunger, and movement. Physically active individuals with a natural lifestyle tend to be less sensitive to heat and magnetic storms. To help the nervous system withstand the heat, it’s important to engage in physical activities and not shy away from manageable exercise.
While chronic stress is considered an enemy of immunity, short-term stress can actually stimulate the body’s resistance, increase endurance, and protect against illness. For a healthy nervous system, it’s important to maintain moderation in work and diet. Excessive work pressure, a depressed mood, and worries about problems can exacerbate chronic illnesses in the heat and provoke psychosomatic and respiratory diseases.
Angina
Sudden temperature changes can test the immune system: exposure to cold air from air conditioning after being in the heat, consuming cold food, and drinking icy beverages. With a weakened immune system, the body struggles to fend off the pathogens that cause angina—staphylococci and streptococci, which are transmitted through respiratory droplets. Self-infection with angina can occur in chronic tonsillitis or when there is a persistent infection in the body (for example, untreated cavities).
In upper respiratory diseases, the amount of mucus in the lungs increases, and the body clears it through coughing. Since this is a physiological way to expel viruses, suppressing a cough with pharmaceuticals without a doctor’s prescription is not advisable. In extreme cases, medications that thin mucus and enhance bronchial contractions may be prescribed. Preventing mucus from drying out requires cool air and hydration. When expectoration is difficult, moist coughs can be alleviated with compresses, while for dry coughs with sore throats, gargling can help clear the tonsils of mucus.
Heating compresses should not be applied during high temperatures, nor should they be placed on the heart area (either front or back). When treating children’s coughs, do not add alcohol or vinegar to the compress, as this poses a poisoning risk. Gargling solutions for dry coughs and sore throats can include water with lemon juice (1 teaspoon of juice per glass of water) or herbal infusions of calendula, eucalyptus, chamomile, coltsfoot, and oak bark (2 tablespoons of herbal material steeped in 0.5 liters of boiling water for an hour and strained; do not swallow the gargling liquid).
Runny Nose
Summer is the season for viral infections, and the first sign of a viral illness is often a runny nose. This is how the body neutralizes infection at the entry point to the throat and lungs. Nasal mucus contains substances that fight viruses. To prevent mucus from drying out, it’s essential to stay hydrated, ensure clean cool air, and moisturize nasal passages with mucus-thinning drops. Rinse the nose with saline solution every hour. To prevent the drying of nasal mucous membranes, use an emollient—an oily liquid with disinfectant properties.
Antibiotic solutions should not be used for nasal drops. Drink raspberry, linden, chamomile, rosehip, or ginger tea with lemon. Protection against summer colds should be sought in plant-based immune boosters—so-called adaptogens. These include echinacea, eleutherococcus, ginseng, Chinese lemongrass, and rhodiola rosea. To prevent colds, avoid excessive use of antibacterial soap and hot water, as this removes the skin’s natural lipid barrier, which protects the body from infections.
Rinse with cool water without using aggressive hygiene products. A sterile environment harms the immune system, preventing the body from hardening and defending against harmful bacteria. A runny nose is a protective mechanism, and it will resolve on its own once it has fulfilled its purpose. For viral rhinitis, avoid using vasoconstrictor drops like Nazol, Galazolin, Sanorin, or Naphthyzin: while they may initially relieve mucus, they will later cause nasal mucosa swelling, making it difficult to breathe. These medications are intended for treating non-infectious rhinitis, not allergic rhinitis.
Hay Fever
The scientific term for the seasonal illness caused by an allergic reaction to plant pollen is pollinosis or seasonal allergic rhinitis. The term pollinosis comes from the Latin word “pollen,” meaning “pollen.” Allergy symptoms arise when the immune system fails to cope with foreign invaders. Symptoms of hay fever include watery eyes, nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing, and fatigue. This condition resembles a cold but is treated solely with antihistamines.
Signs of pollinosis:
- Unlike a cold, which lasts about a week, hay fever persists longer;
- Itching in the nose and nasopharynx is constant in pollinosis, and headaches may also occur;
- Sneezing in allergic rhinitis is continuous and not in bursts like with a cold;
- There is no fever with hay fever;
- The morning condition in pollinosis is usually worse than in the evening;
- In allergic rhinitis or conjunctivitis, symptoms lessen indoors and worsen outside;
- Rainy weather improves the condition of allergy sufferers even when they go outside.
To avoid confusion when choosing medications, it’s essential to distinguish between a runny nose and hay fever. An untreated cold can lead to circulation problems, while allergic reactions can ruin a vacation in nature. To ease life during the pollen season of dangerous plants for allergy sufferers, it’s best to stay indoors until 11 a.m. during peak pollen times. When going outside, wearing sunglasses is necessary, as bright rays irritate the eyes and exacerbate discomfort. After returning indoors, it’s crucial to wash your face.
Allergies and Asthma
Allergy sufferers and asthmatics should wash their faces, eyes, and noses with water upon returning from outside. For both groups, pollen in the respiratory tract is contraindicated. Therefore, regular wet cleaning during the summer is essential, as well as keeping windows closed with fine mesh screens that should be kept moist. A week before the onset of pollen from allergenic plants, it’s advisable to start taking antihistamine pills (such as Claritin, Loratadine, Cetirizine), use nasal sprays (like Allergodil), and apply appropriate eye drops. During flare-ups, it’s best to avoid cosmetics and perfumes.
For allergy sufferers, it’s important to keep houseplants on the balcony during the summer, as some share common antigens with pollen from weeds, meadow grasses, shrubs, and trees that provoke pollinosis. Natural triggers include lily of the valley, lilac, jasmine, rose, chrysanthemum, aster, chamomile, and calendula. Among houseplants, similar triggers include primrose, violet, begonia, geranium, dieffenbachia, ivy, and ficus. Flowering plants, insect bites, and certain foods can exacerbate allergic reactions during the summer.
Avoid consuming foods that have cross-reactivity with pollen allergens. For example, bananas have cross-reactivity with ragweed pollen, avocados and melons; cereal grains with grass pollen; apples with alder; walnuts with hazelnuts; peanuts with potatoes and soybeans. Seasonal allergies can manifest as skin rashes (hives) and shortness of breath, triggering asthma attacks. Allergists determine the causes of summer allergies through tests and prescribe treatment.
Urinary System
Vacationing at resorts and traveling often come with romantic adventures. Despite constant warnings from doctors about the importance of protection and contraception, summer sees annual spikes in sexually transmitted infections: chlamydia, genital herpes, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Symptoms that should raise concern include itching in the genital area; pain during urination; fever; headaches; general weakness; unusual discharge; rashes; sores; and ulcers. Medical assistance should be sought immediately in such cases.
After laboratory tests, doctors typically prescribe an individualized treatment course that must be completed fully, without stopping therapy after symptoms disappear. Successful treatment is confirmed by good follow-up test results. Additionally, during the summer, one should be cautious of other urinary system diseases. Prolonged swimming in open waters, cold air from air conditioners, and dehydration can harm the kidneys and bladder. After swimming, it’s essential to change into dry clothes.
Cystitis is a seasonal infectious disease of the bladder. When the pelvic organs are cooled, immunity decreases, and pathogenic microflora can become active. Cystitis is rightly called the “wet swimsuit disease.” Moreover, in the heat, the body loses a lot of fluid through sweat, which must be replenished; otherwise, inflammation can develop in the bladder due to overly concentrated urine. Additionally, stagnant phenomena in the pelvic organs due to a sedentary lifestyle can contribute to the development of cystitis.
Sunburns
First aid for sunburn involves cooling the skin with a compress or a cool shower, applying aloe vera or panthenol to the burned area, and drinking plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. You can also apply sour cream to the burned skin or rub it with half a cucumber. Some people wipe their reddened faces with vodka (this method should not be used on children) or beaten raw egg. Taking pain relievers (ibuprofen or acetaminophen) and avoiding direct sunlight on the burned skin is essential.
After sun exposure, burned facial skin requires a refreshing mask. You can prepare one by blending three grapes, half a banana, two tablespoons of pure aloe vera pulp, and two tablespoons of vegetable oil. Apply the mask for 15 minutes, then rinse with water. Burned skin can also be treated with an emulsion made from dried dandelion roots. These should be crushed, mixed in an enamel container with oil in a 1:10 ratio, steeped under a lid for a day, heated in a water bath for an hour, and then strained.
This cream should be applied to the burned skin three to four times a day. Strong freshly brewed tea can also help with sunburns. Soak a towel in it and make a compress on the burn area. Do not pop blisters, as this can lead to infection. If a blister breaks, rinse it with soap and water, apply antibacterial ointment, and cover it with a sterile bandage. Prolonged sun exposure and overheating negatively affect the immune system. To enjoy summer, avoid excessive tanning and seek shade from the heat.