MayoClinic.com Offers Summertime Health and Safety Tips

Thursday, July 15, 2004

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Bike paths, beaches and backyards are bustling with activity now that summer is in full swing. The outdoor fun has begun — and so have the seasonal illnesses and injuries. MayoClinic.com can help keep you and your family in the sunshine and out of the emergency room with tips to help you enjoy a safe and healthy summer.

Log onto MayoClinic.com and use the convenient search tool or click on the "Summer safety guide" (http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?objectid=8BBFE6CB-5AC7-4176-B2B2BFD91B4AB3FC) for current health information on:
*Family fitness activities - gather tips on swimming safety, mountain biking and selecting proper protective sportswear.
*Outdoor hazards - learn how to beat the heat and hay fever while playing sports; discover the best ways to protect your skin from sun damage; take a look at the slide show on playground safety; and test your knowledge of bees, ticks and snakes with the outdoors quiz.
*Food safety - read about how to prevent E. coli food poisoning and other food-borne illnesses, take note of the safe grilling tips, and try out the healthy recipes.
*Summer travel - get tips on airplane travel with infants, what to do if you get ill in-flight, and how to plan ahead to prevent illness on your vacation.
*Skin protection - find out about the dangers of tanning, get guidance on choosing and applying sunscreen, and learn how to examine your body for signs of skin cancer.

MayoClinic.com also offers a First-Aid Guide to prepare you for medical emergencies, as well as an A-Z disease and condition reference to look up summer-related illnesses such as West Nile virus, Lyme disease, allergies and skin cancer. Each condition includes sections on symptoms, causes, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

The mission of MayoClinic.com is to empower people to manage their health by providing useful and up-to-date information and tools that reflect the expertise of the more than 2,000 physicians and scientists at Mayo Clinic. The site is owned by Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

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Contact:
Amy Knutson
507-284-5005 (days)
507-284-2511 (evenings)
e-mail: newsbureau@mayo.edu

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