Summer should be fun — health issues, though? Not fun. That's why you should stay on top of your wellness this season, as activities and temperatures ramp up (...all the way to a heat index of 102.2° this July, apparently).

Cempa Community Care can help. Their "We Do Care" philosophy means just that: The local healthcare experts offer excellent, affordable care through primary care (now accepting new patients) and several other health services — and they actually care about Noogans' health and well-being.

Here are a few reasons to have Cempa on speed dial (or opened up in a mobile browser tab) this summer:

1. Summer is full of activities + travels.

Summer means more hiking, biking, paddling, climbing, and swimming; plus extra travel, social events, and sun exposure — increasing the risk of cuts and scrapes, broken bones, insect bites, sunburns, and disease exposure.

Cempa's Primary Care + Mobile Clinic (available weekly in a neighborhood near you) physicians can treat non-emergency injuries (like sprains from hiking Cloudland) + illnesses (like a mid-summer cold or mosquito-borne illnesses from the backyard BBQ). Bonus: Get travel-ready by making sure your vaccinations are up to date.
Summer is full of Instagrammable moments. Make sure your pearly whites are pearly white (and healthy) with Cempa's Dental Services.
On the run and need medicine? Cempa has a full-service, on-site pharmacy, too.
As a leader in HIV care since 1986, Cempa's infectious diseases services offers HIV testing, PrEP, and treatment.

2. Our environment can work against us.

The local summertime UV index ranges from 8 to 10, meaning it can take just 15 minutes to get a sunburn. Add that with dehydration, heatstroke, allergic reactions, or a flared-up autoimmune disease, and you're all set for a ruined summer weekend.

The good news: You can avoid that by scheduling these health screenings:

Primary care physicians can help you with a basic metabolic panel (BMP) or electrolyte panel to check your kidney function and electrolyte levels, which are important for hydration balance.
An immunoglobulin E (IgE) test or basic allergy screening can make sure you're prepared for your reaction to the heightened tree and grass pollen counts — and, potentially, risky food allergies.
An iron profile can reveal potential iron deficiencies, which can impact energy levels — especially if you're planning on being active during the hot + humid months.

Chris Snyder, PA-C, MMSc, examines a local patient during a primary care visit. | Photo by Cempa Community Care

3. Chronic conditions can flare up.

Many chronic illnesses flare up during the summertime, so it's best to care for yours by talking to a primary care doctor or to proactively schedule a health check-up. Seasonally-impacted illnesses can include:

Eczema and rosacea (from increased sweating)
Asthma, COPD, and cystic fibrosis (which can be aggravated by summer's air quality)
Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis (which can be worsened by sun exposure)
MS (heat intolerance is a common symptom)
Fibromyalgia (increased pain and stiffness in hot weather)

4. Our schedules are a little more flexible.

This one speaks for itself. Summer often means school breaks and more flexible schedules, making it a great time to set up routine check-ups, screenings, specialty appointments, and necessary procedures that may be more difficult to swing during the busy school year.

Get started with a primary care physician.

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