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Summer Health
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 According to the Arizona Department of Health and Human Services, Arizona leads the nation in heat-related deaths with an average of 29 fatalities each year -- nearly all of which occur during summer months.
“Due to the heat, humidity, sun and even sandal-wearing, living in Arizona during the summer months presents many health risks,” said Kristin Neal, a physician assistant (PA) at the Pinnacle Peak Cigna Medical Group CareToday location. “But with a little forethought, not to mention a hat, hydration, sunscreen and shade, the risk of developing a summer-related illness can be greatly reduced if not completely avoided.”
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Summer Health
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 Swimmer's ear is an inflammation or infection of the ear canal, the passage that leads from the outer ear to the eardrum. This condition is called swimmer's ear because it commonly occurs in people who have been swimming. But other people can get it too.
Swimmer's ear occurs when bacteria or fungus grows in your ear canal. This happens after water, sand, or other small debris irritates the delicate skin in the ear canal. Other things that can irritate the ear canal include hearing aids, lots of ear cleaning, and eczema of the ear canal.
“Swimmer's ear is more likely if you have a very narrow or hairy ear canal; live in a warm, humid climate; have little or no earwax; have lots of ear infections; or have eczema or dry skin,” said Renee Chase, nurse practitioner with Cigna Medical Group CareToday. “If you have had swimmer's ear in the past, you are more likely to get it again.”
Swimmer's ear can be very painful, but easily treated at your neighborhood convenience care clinic such as CMG CareToday. The pain can get worse when you touch the earlobe or another part of the outer ear or when you chew. Other symptoms can include itching, a feeling of fullness in the ear, and a yellowish or brownish discharge from the ear. Your ear canal may be swollen. In severe cases, the outer ear can be red and swollen too.
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Summer Health
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 Your child’s learning doesn’t need to stop when the classroom doors close. Studies show that over summer vacation, students forget up to 25 percent of their reading and math skills from the previous year. This regression is often referred to as the “summer slide,” and it’s usually the reason that teachers spend as much as an entire month re-teaching concepts that had been taught the previous school year.
Children and teens that stay mentally active over the summer may have an advantage over other students when school resumes in the fall. In order to encourage continued learning during summer break, parents should look for activities that will challenge him or her to want to learn more. There may be areas in which a child excels, such as art, music, gymnastics or outdoor activities that do not have sufficient time to be explored during the busy school year. The summer can be an ideal time for parents to encourage their child to concentrate on these areas of interest.
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Summer Health
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 Summer is upon us and as school begins to wind down for our children, many of them are looking forward to summer camp. Going away to camp is a chance to make new friends, enjoy outdoor activities, and develop new skills. However, we need to be sure our children are properly prepared for summer camp so that they can return as healthy and comfortable as before they left.
“Since this is the first time away from home for many campers, it’s important to ensure that children know how to listen to their bodies and take care of themselves as much as possible,” said Dr. Andrea Houfek, medical director of pediatrics at Cigna Medical Group. Take your child for a camp physical before departure. This will help you identify any unknown medical issues and allergies that could become dangerous or life-threatening while at camp.
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