Summertime and the living is ... chancy

By Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D. on Jun 18, 2024

Longer days, warmer temperatures, more outdoor sports activities -- and more hazards. Every summer, the number of folks who go to the emergency room spikes, hitting around 35 million. They're there for everything from dehydration and insect bites to pickleball and bike accidents. So, to help you have more fun in the sun, here are four tips that can keep you safe.

1. Stay hydrated to avoid extreme thirst, dry mouth, dizziness, and fatigue. If your pee becomes darker than pale straw to dark yellow, you're down a quart. The smart move? Drink before you're thirsty; stick with beverages free of sugar and artificial sweeteners.

2. Dodge bee, mosquito, and tick bites by using repellant with DEET (it's safe). Prefer alternatives? Try citronella with rosemary or picaridin, a synthetic version of a repellent found in pepper plants.

3. Sports-related injuries such as scrapes, sprains, fractures and concussions are not entirely avoidable, but making sure you warm up, are well-hydrated before you start exercising, and have the right equipment (helmets, etc.) goes a long way to protecting you from injury. Supportive shoes are also important. Flip-flop falls and sandal spills are all too common, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

4. Pollen and mold allergies also can interfere with summer fun. Find an antihistamine that works for you. Take the medication before you get sneezy and drippy. For natural anti-allergy remedies, check out iHerb.com's blog, "4 Antihistamines to Help Relieve That Itchy, Sniffy, Sneezy Feeling."

Now get out there (use a micronized zinc sunscreen with an SPF of 30) and have fun!

Dr. Mike Roizen is the founder of www.longevityplaybook.com, and Dr. Mehmet Oz is global advisor to www.iHerb.com, the world's leading online health store. Roizen and Oz are chief wellness officer emeritus at Cleveland Clinic and professor emeritus at Columbia University, respectively. Together they have written 11 New York Times bestsellers (four No. 1's).

Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.