Summer has arrived and the summer holidays are approaching, offering us the best opportunity for rest and reorganization in view of the winter. In addition to our luggage, however, it is good to prepare on another level: to check our health before we take to the seas, in order to avoid unpleasant surprises and enjoy a carefree holiday. After all, the dangers of summer are lurking and it is good to be prepared for them.
Examinations before the summer holidays
But what are the tests that, depending on our health profile , it would be good to do before we leave for our summer holidays?
- Checking the lipid profile: Checking the lipid profile – cholesterol (total), triglycerides, HDL, LDL, atherosclerotic index – is a particularly useful test at this time. Besides, because it is to be expected that we will go a little overboard both nutritionally and in our alcohol consumption during the holidays, it is good to know what state we are in and how many excesses our body can tolerate, but also to have a full picture of what to avoid.
- General blood count: a complete blood count is also an ideal test to identify any vitamin deficiencies or other types of deficiencies that can in our summer holidays bring fatigue or undue stress, situations that are also favoured by high temperatures and humidity .
- Dermoscopy: Dermoscopy is good to be done by people with many moles both before and after the summer holidays. It is useful to know the number, size and composition of your moles so that when you turn around you can make the comparison and see if sun exposure has resulted in lesions or changes. At the same time, with dermoscopy we have a better idea of the type, needs and strengths of our skin and can protect ourselves more effectively from the sun.
- Cardiac examination: if we are overweight or have a family history of heart disease, a cardiac examination would inform us about any problems and how we should behave during the summer heat without endangering our body and our health. After all, summer is a season that favours cardiac problems because of the combination of high temperatures, humidity, but also because of the mishaps, dietary and otherwise, that we indulge in.
- Gynaecological examination: a visit to the gynaecologist in the case of women would be useful in the run-up to the holidays both to consult him/her about possible gynaecological problems associated with the habits of the summer months and to be examined and to know the state of our gynaecological health.
Poor hygiene while at sea, diving in water with germs, increased sweating, an erratic diet and sexually transmitted diseases are all factors that can create or aggravate existing gynaecological problems. Especially for sexually transmitted diseases, it is advisable to repeat the examination after returning from holiday. We become aware of our gynaecological profile and take better precautions.
- Ear, nose and throat examination: our ears are particularly sensitive to diving, with ear infections increasing during the summer. Therefore, a cleaning to remove any blisters blocking the extra-ear canal can save us from further problems. Also, if we are ready to indulge in more active water hobbies, such as scuba diving and underwater fishing, it is advisable to check the condition of our nasal septum and also the eustachian tube.
In cases of chronic diseases or other health problems, it is advisable before we go on holiday to have a picture of our situation in order to adjust our medication and receive updated instructions from our doctor .
We put the preventive control in our lives and before the summer holidays and enjoy them without worries and unpleasant surprises.