Individuals with certain health conditions should exercise caution or avoid seaside vacations, particularly during peak summer months. Therapist Sergey Yakovlev advises that factors like climate change, solar activity, and individual health status play a crucial role in determining the safety of a beach vacation.
Those with acute illnesses, cancer, and certain chronic conditions should avoid sea trips. An acute illness is a complete contraindication. Cancer patients should avoid additional UV and thermal radiation due to the risk of exacerbation. Diseases of the ear, throat, and nose in the acute stage or during exacerbation, especially with purulent processes, are also contraindications. Blood diseases, including blood cancer and iron deficiency, also pose risks.
Other conditions warranting caution include hypertension, skin conditions, asthma, COPD, gastrointestinal issues, kidney diseases, and cardiovascular problems. While controlled hypertension may allow for a trip during milder periods, the peak summer heat can increase the risk of thrombosis, strokes, and heart attacks. Skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis can worsen with seawater exposure, unless in remission. Asthmatics with frequent attacks should avoid climate changes, especially to humid coastal areas, while drier climates like Crimea might be suitable outside exacerbation stages. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients and those with gastrointestinal or urinary system diseases should also avoid sea trips during exacerbations. Individuals with cardiovascular diseases face increased risks of heart attack, stroke, and death in hot weather due to dehydration and increased strain on the system.
Pregnant women and families with young children should also be cautious. Pregnant women should avoid travel during the first trimester and those with complications like multiple pregnancies or placenta previa. The best time for a beach vacation is between the 14th and 23rd weeks of a normal pregnancy. Babies under three years old are also more vulnerable to overheating, overcooling, and sunburns due to underdeveloped thermoregulation.
Consulting with a doctor is crucial for personalized advice. Yakovlev emphasizes that each case is individual, and consulting with a healthcare professional is essential to determine the suitability of a sea vacation based on one’s specific health condition. He also notes that a seaside vacation during the mild season can improve immunity and lung health, recommending at least two weeks for those with reduced immunity.