26/05/2025
*HEALTH ISSUES DURING SUMMER SEASON*
☀️ As temperatures continue to rise across Pakistan, the summer season brings a heightened risk of dehydration and poor nutrition. Without conscious effort to stay hydrated and eat appropriately, high temperatures can lead to fatigue, digestive discomfort, and even serious health issues.
🌡️ As the temperature climbs, the human body works harder to cool itself through sweating. This leads to a greater loss of fluids and minerals, often without us even realizing it..
🌊 Dehydration can begin silently and quickly worsen, causing symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, dizziness, dry mouth and dark-coloured urine. In severe cases, it can even lead to heatstroke, especially among vulnerable groups like children, the elderly and outdoor workers.
🥤Drinking 8-10 glasses of water daily is a good starting point, but people who are more active may need even more. Fresh fruit juices without added sugar, coconut water, and traditional drinks like lassi not only quench thirst but also restore lost nutrients. Infused waters with mint, lemon or cucumber can be refreshing alternatives.
✨ Opt for:
1.Mangoes🥭, melons🍉, cucumbers🥒, tomatoes🍅 and spinach🥬 are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and they help keep us cool.
2. Lean proteins such as grilled chicken🥩, fish🍣, eggs🥚, lentils or chickpeas.
3. Whole grains like oats🥣, barley and whole wheat support digestion.
4. Reducing the intake of spicy and fried foods can also prevent discomfort, as these tend to increase internal body heat.
5. Bananas 🍌and sweet potatoes🥔 are rich in potassium, nuts and seeds offer magnesium (they are lost in sweating)
6. dairy products like milk 🥛and yoghurt provide calcium, and a moderate amount of salt can restore sodium levels.
✨Additional tip✨
A simple homemade electrolyte drink made from water, a pinch of salt🧂, some lemon🍋 juice and a teaspoon of honey can also be a useful option for replenishment.
🩺 DR NIDA AIMAN
MBBS, PMDC Licenced General Practitioner.
