10 common health concerns in summer

While the temperature outside is soaring high by the day, it is extremely vital to make sure that our body is equipped to deal with this harsh weather condition. Summer is often accompanied by a plethora of health problems which can be prevented as well as treated with the right measures. Let us take a look at some of the most prominent health concerns of this season:

Heat stroke is a serious kind of hyperthermia that is triggered when the human body absorbs more heat than it can dissipate.

Remedy: When suffering from a heat stroke, it is very important to bring down the body’s temperature as soon as possible. Switch on the air conditioner or take a cold shower. Stay hydrated, avoid physical exertion and wear lose/light-shaded clothes

Prickly heat is a bacterial infection that is triggered by excess accumulation of sweat on a certain part of the skin. It mainly affects the neck & back region.

Remedy: Apply medicated talcum powder to the affected areas. Wear loose clothing and take cold showers twice a day. Keep the infected area dry & clean

Sun burn occurs when ultra-violet rays burns the skin, resulting in dark patches.

Remedy: Avoid direct exposure to sun rays especially during summers, between 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Make a paste from 6 peeled cucumber juice, 2 cups of powdered milk and 2 teaspoons of dried lavender powder. Apply this paste to the tanned skin

Heat cramps occur in the form of muscle pain/spasms and can be a result of strenuous physical activity.

Remedy: Relax your muscles and rest in a cool place. Consume electrolyte-enriched drinks. Even after the cramps subside, wait for some time before getting back to the strenuous activity in order to avoid heat exhaustion

Foot infection: Sweat and humidity often paves way for the build-up of bacteria on the feet, leading to infection during summer

Remedy: Apply a good quality anti-bacterial powder to the affected area. Make sure to scrub your feet properly while taking a shower. This will help you get rid of the bacteria

Sun tan: Tanning is body’s way of protecting the internal organs from any harm caused by exposure to the ultra violet rays. Sun tan makes the skin one shade darker.

Remedy: Prepare a mixture with 5 tablespoons of rosewater and 1 tablespoon of lime. Apply this mixture to the tanned skin before bed time and rinse it the next morning.

Heat Exhaustion symptoms include excessive sweating followed by weakness, nausea, dizziness, muscle cramps, headache and even fainting

Remedy: Just like all other heat related illnesses, this ailment also requires the recipient to make immediate efforts to cool down the body temperature. Cold shower is a must. He/she can also consume chilled non-alcoholic beverages

Rosacea is a skin condition whereby the blood vessels dilate due to direct contact with heat, leaving a reddish appearance on the skin

Prevention: Use a good quality sunscreen with SPF30+. Avoid direct sunlight

Dehydration is a physical state wherein the body almost stops sweating. Symptoms of dehydration also include muscle cramps, feeling of nausea, palpitations and light-headedness

Prevention/Remedy: Always keep water handy before you move out in the sun. If dehydration is accompanied by fever, visit your physician
Dandruff is often aggravated during summer season mainly because of the sweat that is generated and accumulated within the scalp.

Remedy: Apply hot olive/sesame oil on your scalp before bedtime. The next morning, rub little lime juice on the scalp at least an hour before bathing. Rinse your hair well.

Obesity has emerged as a universal health threat that is linked to heart diseases, diabetes, blood pressure and many serious ailments. In addition to adding a distinctive flavor to Indian food, chillies are accompanied by plenty of health benefits. Let us take a look at some of the most prominent health benefits of Chili peppers:

Minimizes Appetite

According to research studies, spicing your meals with chili peppers diminishes appetite which automatically results in less consumption of food, thereby adding less weight to the body.

Boosts Metabolism

Chillies contain a substance called ‘Capsaicin’ which is known to boost the metabolic process, reduce negative cholesterol and decrease fatty deposits in the blood stream.

Promotes healthy bone development

Chili peppers contain high amounts of calcium, which is primarily responsible for bone health. Sufficient intake of chili peppers can provide people who are allergic to dairy products with the same minerals essential to keep their teeth and bones strong.

Reduces sugar levels from the bloodstream

Studies conducted in the past have shown that after consuming meals that were prepared with chili peppers, diabetics needed lower amounts of insulin to regulate their blood sugar levels. This proves the fact that chilies are helpful for diabetes patients and overweight individuals.

Prevents inflammation and Reduces Joint pain

Owing to the presence of a substance called ‘Capsaicin’, Chili peppers are known to reduce inflammation and ease joint pain especially the ones that are associated with arthritis. Many medicated creams & lotions that contain high amounts of capsaicin appear to be extremely effective in the treatment of arthritis, back pain and other similar conditions.

Improves blood circulation

Circulation brings blood to our muscles, color to our skin, focus to our brains, and removes toxins and lactic acid. Chillies assist in thinning the bloodstream which promotes better circulation and provides optimum defense against strokes.

Promotes Digestion

For years health professionals have warned people suffering from acid reflux or stomach ulcers to stay away from spicy foods but the findings of recent research studies prove otherwise. ‘Cayenne’ in chillies play an important role in the production of hydrochloric acid which not only promotes digestion but also cuts down on gas/bloatedness and eases stomach aches associated with ulcers.

Also known as Bromodosis, foot odour is triggered by excess accumulation of sweat and is a common problem faced by many people especially during summer season. Wearing closed footwear with no room for ventilation can worsen this problem. Although not life-threatening, this condition can prove to be extremely embarrassing

Here are a few quick remedies to get rid of foot odour

The simplest way to cast off smelly feet is by washing the foot sole which carries a lot of sweat and bacteria. Wash your feet daily with warm water and a deodorant soap. Black tea foot bath can also prove to be very helpful in getting rid of foot odour. To do so, boil 2 cups of tea bags in 2 cups of water for 15 minutes. Now take these tea bags off and dilute it with 2 quarts of water. When this water comes down to a normal temperature, soak your feet in it for 30 minutes.

Dust some anti-septic talcum powder and/or spray a good-quality deodorant on your feet prior to wearing your socks/shoes. Doing so will reduce the stench caused due to odour

Add 2 cup of Epsom salt to half bucket of water and soak your feet in it for 15 minutes. This acts as an astringent that reduces sweat production and decreases bacteria. For best results, perform this procedure once a day, until the problem persists.

Lavender oil foot massage daily before going to bed is another effective solution to keep foot odour at bay. Covering the feet with soaks right after a relaxing massage promotes quick absorption of oil.

In order to avoid sweat and odour, it is recommended to select footwear that offers sufficient ventilation for the feet. If you have no other option but to wear a closed shoe, sprinkle some corn starch or baking soda in the insides of the shoe before putting it on. These 2 ingredients not only soak excess moisture but also neutralize the foul odour.

If you want healthy & radiant skin, it is important to get rid of the worn-out, dead cells that reside deep within the layers of your skin. If done in a proper manner, skin exfoliation can in fact help you preserve a youthful appeal. Did you know that the finest skins exfoliants are not the ones that are available in the market but actually hidden in your own kitchen?

Here are some of the best natural exfoliants:

Unprocessed Honey – Make a sweet addition to your skincare routine. Honey is enriched with anti-septic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties that acts as a defense against bacterial infections and repairs the skin texture.

Yoghurt – Easily accessible in your kitchen, yoghurt is loaded with lactic acid (also known as alpha hydroxyl acid that is used in prescription skin care treatments). Add some milk to yoghurt. Apply this mixture to any part of your body. Keep it on for 20 minutes and wash it off. This mixture is an excellent skin-smoothening exfoliant

Ground fruit seeds and Nuts –Make a puree from crushed raspberry, blackberry seeds and ground almonds. Take this mixture and massage it gently to your skin in smooth, circular motion. Each of the above mentioned ingredients provide superb nourishment for the skin and help in removing dead cells

Sea salt – Several spas use sea salt as their chief ingredient for body treatments. It detoxifies the body by stimulating blood circulation through vasodilation of blood capillaries within the skin. Mix sea salt with water and scrub your face with it in the morning. This homemade skin exfoliation procedure helps in opening up the pores

Baking soda– Did you know that baking soda is used in several high-end spa treatments, however also note that the only a certain amount of baking soda should be used on the skin. It is not recommended to apply baking soda on extremely sensitive skin. For people with normal skin, add a pinch of baking soda to your facial cleanser and enjoy a relaxing spa-worthy treatment at home.

Homemade scrub for all skin types – Take 1/2 cup of coconut milk, a quarter cup of sea salts, and a pinch of baking soda. Mix the ingredients with a hand-whisk in a glass or ceramic bowl. This natural scrub is very effective, easy-to-make and inexpensive too.