Our country has a monsoon climate, and the main characteristic of summer is high temperatures and heavy rainfall. Generally speaking, people tend to pay attention to preventing heatstroke and cooling down during the summer, but they often overlook the "hidden" humidity. In fact, high humidity in the summer also has a significant negative impact on human health.
The high humidity in summer is often accompanied by high temperatures, resulting in a combination of "high temperature and high humidity". In this environment, it is difficult for the human body to maintain heat balance through evaporation of water, resulting in disorders in temperature regulation and symptoms such as chest tightness, palpitations, fatigue, and overall weakness.
If high humidity occurs during rainy weather, the pineal gland in the human body will secrete more melatonin, causing a relative decrease in thyroid hormones and adrenaline. In addition, with fewer negative ions in the air and lower air pressure, people may experience symptoms such as lethargy, dizziness, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.
In addition, in summer, getting wet in the rain, prolonged exposure to wetlands, or living in damp rooms can easily lead to ulcers on the lower limbs, athlete's foot, and vaginal discharge in women. When the "damp evil" invades the joints, it can cause rheumatism or rheumatoid arthritis, manifesting as joint pain, limited mobility, and numbness of the skin. When the "damp evil" invades the spleen and stomach, it can also cause symptoms such as diarrhea, decreased urine output, edema, loss of appetite, and nausea.
Therefore, in addition to paying attention to preventing heatstroke, it is also important to prevent "dampness" during the summer.
(1) Improve the living environment and avoid dampness.
During the rainy season or foggy days in summer, it is advisable to keep windows closed to prevent moisture from entering. However, when the sun shines brightly outside, it is important to open windows for ventilation. It is also necessary to regularly use the dehumidification function of air conditioners to ensure that indoor air humidity does not exceed 60%.
(2) Maintain a light and easily digestible diet.
It is important to consume foods that can clear heat and dampness, allowing the body to eliminate damp-heat through urine. Such foods include mung bean porridge, lotus leaf porridge, and red bean porridge.
