Keeping Cool This Summer

Summer is here and the heat is getting unbearable. In the tropics the heat starts to rise by ten in morning until three in the afternoon and then starts to taper off. The hottest part of the day is unbearable and we need to cool. To keep us cool during summer, avoid the sun at the hottest part of the day by doing our activities indoor or under the roof. If we stay indoor we can keep the ventilation better by opening the doors and windows wide open. This will facilitate air circulation since hot air moves up and in the process air is suck into the room. Bathing is one thing that can cool down the body as long as there is enough water in the tap. We can take a bath as many as we want or we can dip in the pool all day long. More frequent bathing, though, will make our skin dry. Prevent it by not using soap or use soap sparingly. If we bath more than once a day, it is advised to use soap only on areas that sweat a like like the armpit and the inguinal areas since body odor emanates from these areas. Long cold bath before going to bed will give you a very comfortable sleep. Sweat will attract mosquitoes and will bother you in our sleep. Always use mosquito net even during summer. They bite most at the middle of the night.

Activities that cannot be avoided while the sun is high need to be planned well. Use sun protecting lotion and drink plenty of water. The best guide to see if you body needs more water is the thirst and the amount of urine voided. Sometimes we forget to take water when we are busy though we are thirsty. Urine color, amount and frequency will guide us about the water content of our body. If the body lacks water the urine is less frequent, low in volume and highly colored. If we notice this, water or fruit juice has to be taken to replenish our body water. It is best to replace body water with water plus fruit juice. Plain water in large amount will create imbalance on our electrolyte. This will be observed as feeling of fatigue. Fruit juice will give us potassium and little sodium electrolytes. Salt or sodium chloride is lost in the sweat and it should be replaced if we sweat a lot through eating salty food.

Get outside once the sun has set and feel the cool breeze of the afternoon. Socialize or engage in some sports activities. Summer sports fest is only around the corner. Joining the team or be a mere spectator is a cool activity at this time of the year.

ANTIBIOTICS

Bacterial infections are treated by antibiotics. Some examples of bacterial infections are boils, furuncles, gingivitis, tonsillitis, some diarrhea, urinary tract infection, tuberculosis and many more. There are many kinds of bacteria and there are antibiotics suited for each kind of bacteria. There are antibiotics that are effective in a certain group of bacteria. Bacteria can develop resistance to antibiotics. Resistance of bacteria to antibiotics usually develop if the bacteria is exposed to that specific antibiotic at a level that is not enough to kill the bacteria. It will seen as ineffectiveness of treatment or persistence of infection or symptoms. The danger in here will be transfer of this bacteria to other person and into the community. This is now happening in tuberculosis and other infections.
Misuse of antibiotics through self medication, improper dosing, and over use is happening. Abuse of antibiotics through self medication is largely the cause of many antibiotic resistance. The consequence of antibiotic resistance will be the cost of treatment. Even if a bacteria is resistant to a particular antibiotic there are still other antibiotics that will be used. The newer antibiotic will be appropriate but the price is exhorbitant. It is fine for patients with the ability to buy however the people who are more affected with infections are the poor. Decision to the use of antibiotics is therefore must be based on the expert in the use of antibiotics and they are the doctors. Antibiotics must not be use for self medication. Expert advise of the physician must be sought before using antibiotics.
The human body is capable to overcome the infection given appropriate response time. In many infections more than a week is needed to develop antibody against a specific infection. The body must be allowed some time and enough period of exposure to the bacteria in order to mount an effective immune response. Delaying use of antibiotics for 3 to 4 days provide enough exposure for the immune system to craft a specific antibody. In life threathening situation however antibiotics use must not be delayed but this situation is best handled by a doctor. Self medication with antibiotics must never be practiced.