For the average person, the summer months are packed full of adventure and traveling, soaking up the sunshine every second they can. But for those who struggle with chronic disease and conditions, the summer heat can quite literally put them out of commission for the rest of the season.
We’re raising awareness and starting the conversation around Chronic Disease Day, observed on July 10 — right in the midst of summer. The daily challenges that come from being chronically ill are a beast of their own, but the temperature and humidity can exacerbate symptoms to a whole different level.
According to the CDC, chronically ill individuals are more vulnerable to the heat for a number of reasons. Certain medications can interact poorly with hot temperatures, they have trouble regulating their own body temperature, and multiple chronic conditions affect hydration levels as well.
Sjögren’s syndrome
With our Just N Life coverage of Nekia Nichelle’s experience with Sjögren’s, this chronic autoimmune disease not only hits close to home, but it is greatly impacted by the heat. This will be Nichelle’s first summer officially diagnosed with the chronic disease, but she has already noticed how her body is reacting.
“Sjögren’s is all about the body attacking its moisture-producing glands. I get dehydrated really quickly—even if I feel like I’ve been drinking enough. On top of that, extreme fatigue hits fast when I’m exposed to the sun, and once it sets in, it’s hard to bounce back,” Nichelle says.
Rising temperatures aren’t the only concern for Nichelle or others who suffer from Sjögren’s. With humidity being such a large part of summer, it plays a big role in Nichelle’s ability to breathe properly.
“I also have a lung disorder associated with my Sjögren’s, so when humidity is high, my breathing becomes labored and there have been moments where I’ve felt like I could pass out,” Nichelle adds.
Fortunately for Nichelle, her medications are currently interacting just fine with the rising temperatures, and she does not experience side effects related to the heat. For any other Sjögren’s warrior out there trying to maneuver through the intensity of summertime, Nichelle has found a few simple but effective hacks for beating the summer heat!
The biggest game-changer for me has been listening to my body and taking it seriously. When there are extreme heat warnings, I stay indoors as much as possible. If I do need to go out, I make sure to bring a ton of liquids, pace myself, and rest as soon as I feel any signs of fatigue creeping in. I also carry a little mini fan with me everywhere—it seems small, but it makes a huge difference in keeping me cool and avoiding a spiral,” Nichelle says.
Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease is a chronic autoimmune condition that can affect the entire digestive system. Common ailments complications include electrolyte imbalances and dehydration, which may result from frequent diarrhea or the intestines’ reduced ability to absorb nutrients due to inflammation.
Sweating excessively during summer heat waves can become a medical concern if you’re not consuming enough electrolytes, and My Crohn’s and Colitis Team offers great tips on how to keep them balanced! You can sip on sports drinks like Gatorade or Liquid I.V. throughout the day — just don’t forget to keep track of how much water you’re actually drinking.
Certain immunosuppressants taken for Crohn’s, like Azathioprine, can increase complications from sun exposure. This raises the risk of sunburn and skin cancer, so it’s important to wear sunscreen and limit your time outdoors during the summer.
Migraines
Referencing the American Migraine Foundation, summer can be a hard time of year for chronic migraine sufferers.Sensitivity to light is a well-known symptom, and the bright summer sun can make it especially difficult to enjoy being outdoors for long periods. Noah Borland, a fellow Just N Life reader, suffers from chronic migraines that become unbearable with the brightness of the sun.
“I have a lot of light sensitivity with my migraines, so walking outside in the summer really impacts how my head feels. The brightness outside causes a constant throbbing, and even if I look out a window from inside, the sunshine hurts my head.”
According to Borland, the extreme heat and humidity don’t typically affect his migraines. The main trigger tends to be the sun’s brightness, but he has a few tricks up his sleeve to help relieve him of his pain.
“I take cold showers a lot, they help take away the tension that I get from my migraines. I also have special UV glasses that dim bright lights coming through the lens,” Borland offers.
Lupus
Lupus is another chronic autoimmune disease that can target and damage any organ system in the body. The Lupus Foundation of America states that Lupus patients are much more sensitive to UV exposure and their cells react differently than a healthy person’s cells. Because of this, any excess sun exposure can worsen Lupus symptoms like fatigue, joint pain, and skin rashes.
Another Just N Life reader, Melissa Borland, has been diagnosed with Lupus S.L.E. ( Systemic Lupus Erythematosus), the most systemic kind out of the four different types of Lupus. Borland was officially diagnosed in 2013, but recalls suffering from Lupus symptoms ever since she was just five years old. As you can imagine, this has forced her to collect years of experience with battling her flare-ups resulting from the heat.
“I have extreme sensitivity to heat and sun. Being out more than 10 minutes in the sun can cause mild to extreme flare-ups, including fatigue, rashes, joint and muscle aches, loss of mobility, and vision issues,” Borland says.
With Lupus’ ability to affect the heart, many patients take cardiac medication to control their heart inflammation. These medications cause phototoxic reactions after sun exposure, compounding the photosensitivity Borland already experiences due to her lupus.
“Some of my medications have affected my vision. On a few occasions, I’ve lost peripheral vision or had no vision at all. I’ve also periodically seen lightning bolts or static electricity at a constant in my peripheral for almost an hour,” Borland remembers.
Losing mobility and experiencing visual disturbances can be jarring enough to keep the average person inside all summer long, but Borland isn’t average by a long shot. Her determination to never confine herself indoors because of fear is inspirational. One of her favorite outdoor activities, rain or shine, is decorating the front of her house for each season, making it look like a page out of Country Living Magazine.
After many years of trial and error, Borland has some tried and true advice for anyone with Lupus who struggles during the summertime.
“For me, diet, skin protection, and rest are key. Invest in some UV sun protection shirts and long-sleeved shirts. A diet rich in antioxidants and omega-3s can help, along with homeopathic spices like turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, rosemary, and thyme,” Borland offers.
The most crucial piece of advice that Borland stands by, no matter the time of year, is to listen to your body.
“The one thing I would like to stress is rest. Rest is very important, and give yourself some grace. Our diets may not always be perfect or moderated, but try not to stress if it’s not perfect. Do your best, and your body will appreciate it,” Borland promises.
POTS (Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome)
POTS is a lifelong condition that prevents your heart from beating at a normal rate, causing symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, and even fainting in severe cases. Because someone with POTS has trouble regulating their blood pressure and heart rate, their symptoms can become even trickier in hot weather.
Heat sensitivity is a common occurrence with POTS, and because fainting is already a risk with the condition, it’s important to stay cool and hydrated when spending time outdoors. Some tips for any POTsies (yes, that’s the official nickname the POTS community has coined!) include carrying ice packs if you know you’ll be outside for a while. There’s also cooling apparel like vests and necklaces that many POTsies swear by!
If you or a loved one is struggling to find joy in summertime like everyone else, you’re not alone. It doesn’t mean you’re too broken or sick to go outside and participate in summer activities; you just need to adjust and adapt! Surround yourself with a core group of friends and family who understand your condition and its limitations. You’ll find that no one cares if they need to make accommodations for you; they just care that you’re part of the fun! So slap on that SPF, bring your cutest sun hat, throw that mini fan necklace on, and make the most of summer 2025!
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