Key To A Healthy Summer: Dr Shriram Nene's Guide For Staying Disease-Free During Heatwave (Photo: Freepik)
The scorching summer months are here and during a heatwave, it is important to prioritise health and well-being. Temperatures have started to soar in many parts of the country, and doctors warn that it can lead to a host of health problems -- like heatstroke, dehydration, digestive issues like bloating and indigestion, constipation, abdominal cramps, skin and hair issues, mood problems, etc. -- unless one starts to follow a healthy lifestyle every day to beat the heat. According to Dr Shriram Nene, a cardiovascular surgeon, in order to stay cool in the summer months, it is imperative to change your routine and include some basic habits, such as drinking enough water, applying sunscreen -- especially when leaving the house -- consuming a healthy diet, etc. On his official YouTube channel, the doctor, who is married to Bollywood actor Madhuri Dixit, shared an essential summer guide that holds the key to good health and overall well-being. Read on.
According to the doctor, this is the first thing to keep in mind. Everyone needs to drink a lot of water every day, but many people end up not doing it. Dr Nene said it could be because of lack of access to clean washrooms in India. But, drinking enough water is a non-negotiable aspect of summer health. While men need to consume approximately 3.75 litre of water daily, women must drink 2.7 litre of water every day. But fluid intake can vary, depending on a person's physical activity levels, how hot it is on a particular day, or whether someone is sick and running a temperature.
Dr Nene added that in order to understand if someone is well-hydrated, they need to consider certain things, like how their salivary glands feel, whether their mucus membranes are dry, and if they feel thirsty. If the urine is pale yellow, it could mean one is adequately hydrated. It is important for people who travel, and also those who work desk jobs, to take hydration breaks from time-to-time, the expert recommended.
Next, the doctor talked about the need to protect the skin by applying sunscreen. He said that the sun is both the enemy and the friend. When one is exposed to the sun for too long, they may end up getting a sunburn, which can be very uncomfortable. Dr Nene warned that while sunburn is a short-term problem, sun exposure in the long-run can lead to more serious health problems like skin cancer, pigmentation, freckles, dark spots, etc. Indians, however, have melanin, which can protect against the sun's harmful rays to a great extent. But, it is not fool-proof, which is why one needs to wear sunscreen, especially when they go out in the direct sunlight.
The third most important thing to keep in mind is summer diet. What you eat dictates your health. The doctor recommended eating juicy fruits in summer months. Consuming oral rehydration in the form of electrolytes is also recommended. In summer, one does not only lose water when they sweat, they also lose salts.
Dr Nene shared the following tips:
