Consultant in Emergency Medicine, Dr. Abdullah Abdul-Bari Ba-Humeid, has underlined that food poisoning is one of the most common problems in summer, in addition to some dryness problems which occur due to exposure to hot weather and sunlight for a long period of time or due to drowning either in swimming pools or elsewhere. He further noted that the summer season sees an increase in the rates of traffic accidents, particular on vacation, as well as injuries from motorcycle accidents and bites by poisonous insects and snakes.
Regarding the most significant tips and guidelines in summer, Dr. Ba-Humeid said, "We must be cautious about having fast food, particularly at unclean restaurants, avoid exposure to sunlight for a long period of time and drink sufficient water and liquids frequently to avoid dryness."
This came while hosting of Dr. Abdullah Abdul-Bari, the Consultant in Emergency Medicine, at the Media and Health Awareness National Center of the Ministry of Health (MOH). The interview was meant for answering the callers' questions via the Center's toll free number: 8002494444 and the MOH Twitter account: @saudimoh.
Within the same vein, Dr. Ba-Humeid has underscored the importance of being cautious about the places where poisonous and stingray insects are existent. Amid the advices was not to touch unfamiliar plants as some of them can be dangerous and poisonous. "In such incidents, we have to visit the emergency sections at the hospitals," he said.
Regarding the simplest measures to be adopted to face high temperature in summer and avoid sunburn, Dr. Ba-Humeid said that sunlight is useful when it is used reasonably. However, he advised people to avoid direct exposure to sunlight for a long period of time as it causes skin burns and deadly sun strokes (Allah forbid). He also highlighted the importance of drinking sufficient amounts of liquids frequently.
On the risks affecting the body due to sudden jumping into swimming pools or sea water, Dr. Ba-Humeid said the sudden jumping into swimming pools, seas or anything like that might cause high or low blood pressure, dizziness, nausea and loss of consciousness (Allah forbid).
Likewise, Dr. Ba-Humeid emphasized that if any person suffered drowning in a swimming pool or sea, caution must be taken while rescuing him, as such rescue must be undertaken by a person who is well trained in rescue operations. "Then, the rescued person must be taken to a dry place and the emergency service (red crescent) must be contacted as soon as possible. In the event that the drowning man has stopped breathing, he must take cardiopulmonary resuscitation," Dr. Ba-Humeid explained.
Speaking about the dangers caused by inhaling pesticides particularly that with a strong pungent odor, the Emergency Medicine Consultant said that using pesticides is common in our society mainly in summer, so we have to be cautious when using them and avoid exposing the body, skin or eyes to their spray or odor for their sever effects on the human life. In addition, he advised using gloves for hands and masks for nose and mouth while dealing with pesticides and keeping them out of the reach of children as much as possible.
It is noteworthy that the Media and Health Awareness Information Center will host tomorrow Dr. Abdulaziz Sami Al-Shamrani, a Psychological and Addiction Therapy Consultant, on the occasion of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, to answer queries of the Information Center's audience via the same toll free number and the MOH Twitter account mentioned above.