By Livy-Elcon Emereonye
All things have their designated times, and each purpose unfolds at the right moment in life.
Every season has its peculiarities that include challenges and blessings vis-a-vis opportunities and threats. With a winner’s mindset, every threat transforms into an opportunity in disguise. Every problem can become a factor for breakthroughs and prominence.
The dry season can bring about a unique set of health challenges the experience of such might not be funny and plausible, but the end might become a needed experience for a better life – and optimum health.
In different geographical areas, specific diseases often arise during the dry season, such as:
Respiratory Diseases
- Bronchitis: Dry air can irritate the bronchial tubes, leading to inflammation and infection.
- Pneumonia: Low humidity can make the lungs more susceptible to bacterial and viral infections.
- Asthma: Dry air can trigger asthma attacks by irritating the airways.
Skin Conditions
- Dry Skin (Xerosis): Low humidity can strip the skin of its natural moisture, leading to dryness, itchiness, and irritation.
- Eczema: Dry air can exacerbate eczema symptoms, such as dryness, itchiness, and inflammation.
- Psoriasis: There’s often increased cases of psoriasis in dry season.
Eye and Ear Problems
- Dry Eyes: Low humidity can reduce tear production, leading to dry, itchy, and irritated eyes.
- Ear Infections: Dry air can increase the risk of ear infections, especially in children.
Other Diseases include:
- Heat Stroke: Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can lead to heat stroke, a life-threatening condition.
- Dehydration: Inadequate fluid intake can lead to dehydration, especially in vulnerable populations like the elderly and young children.
- Meningitis: Dry season is associated with an increased risk of meningitis, a bacterial infection that can cause inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
It’s important to mention that the hot and dry weather during the dry season leads to an increase in various feverish conditions. The common ones include:
- Typhoid fever: Spread through contaminated food and water, typhoid fever is more common during the dry season.
- Malaria fever: Although malaria can occur throughout the year, the dry season is a peak transmission period in some regions.
- Dengue fever: This is more common during the dry season in some areas.
Prevention being better than treatment, it’s important to take preventive measures to stay healthy during the dry season. Possible preventative strategies could involve:
– Staying well-hydrated by regularly drinking water
– Making use of humidifiers to sustain an optimal moisture content in the atmosphere
– Use moisturizers and sunscreen to shield your skin.
– Don protective items such as masks and goggles when you are outside.
– Limit vigorous exercise during the warmest hours of the day.
– Adopting an eco-friendly lifestyle by consuming more whole foods rich in fruits and vegetables.
– Keeping a high standard of cleanliness
– Promptly seek healthcare when you encounter any indications of diseases associated with the dry season.
Other prevention measures include the following:
- Safeguard against mosquitoes by utilizing insecticide-treated bed nets, wearing suitable clothing, and using insect repellents.
- Stay away from crowded areas: Minimize the risk of bacterial and viral infections by avoiding large gatherings.
- Maintain a tidy environment: Frequently clean and sanitize your home and workplace to lower the chances of infections.
- Don’t hesitate to seek medical advice: If you feel any fever-like symptoms, reach out for medical attention as soon as possible.
One of the attributes of life is sickness – and there are different types of sicknesses – but the good news is that there is no problem without solution even at ininity. There is no disease that cannot be managed. All forms of sickness have corresponding treatments and cures.
Livy-Elcon Emereonye
Integrative Healthcare Practitioner can be reached on +2348033922445 (SMS/WhatsApp)
