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Heat-related illness is an acute illness that occurs when the body is exposed to a high-temperature environment and loses its ability to regulate body temperature. The spectrum ranges from heat stroke to heat exhaustion. In particular, it can be a life-threatening factor for the elderly, outdoor workers, and those suffering from chronic diseases. The key to prevention is to strictly follow the three principles of 'water, shade, and rest' in daily life. It requires wisdom to drink water before you feel thirsty and minimize outdoor activities between noon and afternoon when the sun is strongest. If you experience early symptoms such as headache or dizziness, you must immediately move to a cool place to lower your body temperature and replenish moisture. In emergency situations such as loss of consciousness, you must call 119 for help without delay. You should also be careful to check your health status in advance and, if you have an underlying disease, consult with a medical professional to control your water intake.

During the hot and humid summer season, our dining table can easily turn into a battlefield for invisible bacteria. Many people are reassured by the freshness of food ingredients, but in fact, there is a high possibility that food poisoning bacteria are multiplying silently even in fresh vegetables or salad lunch boxes. In particular, leafy vegetables have a structure that favors bacteria, so no matter how thoroughly you wash them, it is virtually impossible to eradicate all bacteria. Therefore, the safest way to prevent this is to heat meat, seafood, and even vegetables as sufficiently as possible before eating them. Additionally, in the kitchen, you should thoroughly separate cooking utensils for raw food and cooking, and make it a habit to immediately refrigerate food after cooking rather than leaving it at room temperature. You must always be aware of the fact that food poisoning bacteria may exist even if there is no apparent odor or color change, and you must strictly follow hygiene rules.

Excessive air conditioning used to beat the scorching heat can also be another major culprit that harms your health. The rapid temperature difference between indoors and outdoors confuses the autonomic nervous system, causing symptoms commonly called 'cooling sickness' such as headaches, fatigue, and indigestion. To prevent this, it is recommended to keep the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors within 5 to 6 degrees, and be careful not to let the cold air from the air conditioner hit your body directly. Additionally, when the air is dry, the respiratory mucosa becomes weak, so opening the window every two hours for ventilation and maintaining appropriate humidity is essential for preventing respiratory diseases. If you have to stay in a cold environment for a long time, preparing thin outerwear to protect your body temperature can be a small tip for having a healthy summer.

When it comes to summer health care, a preventative approach that blocks risk factors in advance is more important than simply treating symptoms. The importance of such prevention is evidenced by the recent cooperation between local governments and the restaurant industry to carry out food poisoning prevention campaigns and to strengthen hygiene inspections of food service facilities. Additionally, if you are planning to travel abroad during the summer vacation, it is a wise choice to check the local sanitary environment and infectious disease information in advance, and to carefully prepare for special medical expenses or food poisoning coverage in your travel insurance to prepare for emergencies. In particular, people with underlying diseases should undergo regular health checkups before and after summer to check electrolyte levels, kidney function, and blood sugar levels to check whether their bodies are responding well to the external stress of heat waves. This is because health does not come without warning, but is the result of small daily habits and careful management.