Summer Safety and Well-Being Tips for You and Your Patients

The excitement and anticipation of wrapping up the school year is admittedly different in medical school than in undergraduate years, but I look forward to longer days and hotter temperatures nevertheless. Whether you are gearing up for your dedicated COMLEX study weeks or moving on to a new clerkship, here are some reminders on how to maintain your best health during the summer months. And if you happen to be counseling patients during these months, share with them, too!

Swimming

When the days heat up, nothing can beat jumping in a pool or running into the waves of an ocean or lake. Most adults are able to enjoy their aquatic endeavors safely, but children, especially those up to four years old, are at risk of drowning.

Safe Kids Worldwide lists five essential water survival skills to acclimate to a swimming environment and prevent drownings.

Step or jump into water over your head and return to the surface.
Float or tread water for one minute.
Turn around in a full circle and find an exit from the water.
Swim 25 yards to an exit from the water.
Be able to exit from the water--in a pool, be able to exit without using a ladder.

Parents should always keep their children playing in the water under their supervision and be aware that most drownings are silent and can occur in under one minute.

Hydration

The human body is 60 percent water, so many people may not be aware when they are taking in less water than they are exuding, whether through urine, sweat, or even breathing. Children are particularly susceptible to dehydration, often because they may not recognize the symptoms. Tell kids to be on the lookout for:

Headache
Dizziness
Lethargy
Crankiness
Thirst
Constipation
Dry, cracked skin, including lips

Ensure you and your patients are paying attention to the color of their urine. A pale yellow is an easy sign of adequate hydration.

Sunscreen

Many people enjoy the longer sunshine hours by being outside and soaking it up, but a regular habit of applying sunscreen any time the skin is exposed to sunlight, and UV rays, is key in preventing several types of skin cancer and common signs of aging. Vanderbilt Health notes three important considerations for properly using sunscreen.

Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that can protect against both UV-A and UV-B rays.
SPF 30 blocks 97 percent of the sun’s rays. Although no sunscreen can block 100 percent, applying one ounce of sunscreen for every two hours of sun exposure ensures maximum protection.
Note that water-resistant sunscreen needs to be reapplied every 40 minutes. Very water-resistant options can be reapplied every 80 minutes.

In addition to the use of products with SPF, grab a wide-brimmed hat and synthetic fabric like polyester and nylon to add protection to your outdoor adventures.

Travel

You’ve submitted your last exam for the semester and have your bag packed in the car, ready to go home to recuperate from neuroanatomy. Whether you’re grabbing an energy drink and settling in for a road trip or wearing your slip-on shoes to rush to your gate in the airport, traveling is on the summer agenda for students of all ages. In order to best enjoy your vacation or staycation, Vanderbilt Health lists some tips to invest in your well-being during the trip.

Wash your hands often, especially after stopping at gas stations or being in crowded environments (cough, airports). An alcohol-based hand sanitizer is your best bet for convenience and efficacy.
Prioritize sleep and avoid driving while exhausted. Schedule breaks every two hours and make sure you’re drinking enough water. Oh, and never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Familiarize yourself with any recommended vaccinations if traveling abroad and be aware of current or projected disease outbreaks. Also ensure you have the necessary quantities of your prescriptions on hand.
On airplanes, take advantage of when the seatbelt sign is turned off to stand up, stretch, and facilitate blood flow. Moving your ankles in circles can lessen edematous buildup in the feet, and walking for a couple minutes in the aisle can prevent blood stasis, which puts you at risk for deep vein thromboses.