Why Mosquitoes Are Getting More Dangerous—And What You Can Do About It
Thanks to recent storms and rising global temperatures, health officials say mosquito season is arriving early, lasting longer, and becoming far more dangerous, according to the Austin American-Statesman. Experts are sounding the alarm as conditions across the South, from Texas to Florida, create a perfect breeding ground for the so-called deadliest animal on the planet.
'Mosquito seasons are running longer than before,' said Marcel Elizondo, head of Austin's Environmental Health Services division. 'We're seeing more standing water, more heat, and more ideal conditions for mosquito reproduction.'
That's bad news when you consider what mosquitoes actually bring with them.
According to the American Mosquito Control Association, mosquitoes kill over 1 million people a year worldwide, not directly, but by spreading devastating diseases like malaria, dengue, Zika, and West Nile. Malaria alone is responsible for more than 600,000 preventable deaths annually, and U.S. cases of West Nile and Zika are climbing in southern states.
"Mosquitoes are the deadliest animals on the planet," Bethany Bolling, who leads virus testing for the Texas Department of State Health Services, told KAXN.
Climate change is supercharging the threat. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, warmer temperatures speed up mosquito lifecycles, increase biting rates, and accelerate the disease incubation process inside the insect. Add in flooding and standing water from spring storms, and you've got a perfect storm.
What can you do? Public health officials recommend draining standing water from gutters, buckets, and flower pots, fixing leaks, and treating ponds with mosquito dunks. If you're hiking or camping, DEET-based repellents and full-coverage clothing are your best bet.
This isn't just about comfort. It's about stopping a silent killer from getting louder and protecting your health while enjoying the outdoors.Why Mosquitoes Are Getting More Dangerous—And What You Can Do About It first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 5, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Miami Herald
4 minutes ago
- Miami Herald
As Miami-Dade faces budget crunch, fight over healthcare heads for a showdown
Managing healthcare bills for Miami-Dade's roughly 31,000 county employees is big business, and that's prompting a big fight at the County Commission. At issue is a proposal by Mayor Daniella Levine Cava to drop the county's longtime healthcare provider, AvMed, for a national competitor, Aetna — something the mayor claims would save the county about $40 million as it faces a major budget crunch. The fight to win the county's healthcare contract has gotten messy enough that commissioners are holding a special meeting Wednesday dedicated solely to picking a winner. AvMed, based in Doral, argues Levine Cava is rushing the effort ahead of a fall open-enrollment period that's bound to be chaotic if a new provider takes over. AvMed also points to high customer-service rankings as a selling point — particularly with management based in the Miami area. But Levine Cava points to a pair of consultant studies showing that Aetna's national purchasing power would bring Miami-Dade cheaper healthcare costs in a year of budget strains. AvMed, based in Doral, and Aetna, a Connecticut-based subsidiary of the CVS drugstore chain, each want to manage the crucial billing process — including reimbursement rates for healthcare providers. Unions representing county employees are divided. The police union backs keeping AvMed, while the transit union wants to switch to Aetna. In a recent Miami Herald op-ed, Levine Cava said Aetna will bring both savings and expanded options for county employees. 'Partnering with Aetna means not only financial savings for the county but better healthcare access and quality for our workforce,' she wrote. AvMed, which has contracts across Florida, rejects the notion that Aetna will be cheaper for Miami-Dade and points to a recent J.D. Power ranking giving it the top scores for customer service in Florida. AvMed first won the county contract in 2016 and is encouraging Miami-Dade to stick with a healthcare company that has proven itself. 'By continuing its partnership with AvMed, Miami-Dade County can ensure uninterrupted access to the #1 ranked health plan in Florida,' the company said in a statement, referencing the J.D. Power ranking. If the county switches providers, Aetna would earn administrative fees from Miami-Dade worth about $15 million a year. AvMed's fees are lower, at $10 million. But the fight comes over the much larger county expense involved in the agreement: what Miami-Dade pays providers for medical care and supplies, including prescriptions. Like most large governments, Miami-Dade uses its own cash to pay medical expenses, rather than relying on an insurance company to reimburse providers. Under the 'self-insured' model, Miami-Dade can save money if reimbursement rates drop for doctors, pharmacies and other providers used by county employees. Miami-Dade's medical expenses currently hover around $600 million a year, according to county estimates. The county's insurance company negotiates the rates behind those expenses, and Aetna claims it can lower Miami-Dade's healthcare costs over the life of the seven-year contract. Two healthcare consultants hired by Miami-Dade back up that contention, estimating yearly savings of around $40 million when calculating how much the county would pay under each competitor's reimbursement rates. Commissioners have devoted a rare special meeting to deciding the contract award, placing board members in the position of refereeing between competing claims in the complicated realm of healthcare finances and reimbursement rates. 'I'm not for Aetna. I'm not for AvMed,' Commissioner Roberto Gonzalez said during a July 16 discussion of the healthcare contract. 'I'm for whatever is best for the employees of Miami-Dade County.'
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
12 Hydration Mistakes Leaving You Parched, According to Experts
On the most basic level, you're probably well aware that drinking water = good, and skimping on it, especially when the weather heats up, is, well, the exact opposite. But in practice, the issue is a little more nuanced. In fact, there's a high probability that you may be making a few key hydration mistakes without even knowing it, which can be leaving you foggy, lethargic, and all-around not feeling your best. Of course, proper hydration is important any time of year, since adequate fluid intake is essential to pretty much every process that takes place in your body, from thinking to pooping, but it's especially critical during hot weather. Heat and humidity both cause increased sweating, resulting in a far faster rate of water loss. Because of this, you're at much higher risk of dehydration in warm weather—and you need to take in more fluid to make up for the difference. 'Not drinking enough water can impair both physical and mental performance, and in extreme cases, it can lead to serious complications like heat stroke or kidney problems,' Jennah Morgan, MD, an emergency medicine physician at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, tells SELF. Put another way: 'In order for our bodies to function properly, we have to be hydrated,' Cindy Nelson, associate professor at Utah State University Extension, tells SELF. Ultimately, this makes it all the more important to make sure that your fluid intake is doing what you want it to do. (Think you can chug a few glasses of liquid over the course of the day and be golden? That approach definitely leaves room for improvement, according to experts.) If that sounds like you, you're far from alone in misunderstanding the hydration assignment: Generally, a few patterns of error 'tend to come up often,' Dr. Morgan says. Read on to learn about 12 common hydration mistakes that could leave you falling short in the fluid department. 1. You see eight glasses per day as a nonnegotiable. Even though eight glasses is often framed as the universal standard for hydration, the belief that it's some sort of one-size-fits-all magic number 'really is a myth,' Nelson says. Rather, the 'ideal amount' is highly individualized because it depends on a bunch of different factors: age, weight, activity level, overall health, and more, she says. 'There isn't really a set amount you should drink every day.' That said, most folks would actually benefit from more than eight glasses per day, according to current guidelines. As SELF previously reported, the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies actually recommends 2.7 liters (11 cups) and 3.7 liters (nearly 16 cups) for women and men ages 19 to 30, respectively. If you're hesitant to go by a blanket rec, you can use your body weight as a metric, Anthea Levi, MS, RD, CDN, a Brooklyn-based health writer and founder of Alive+Well Nutrition, tells SELF. 'Most people will benefit from drinking about half of their body weight in ounces of water daily,' Levi says—say, 75 ounces for a 150-pound person. Per the American Heart Association, the easiest way to determine if you're adequately hydrated is to check the color of your pee. Rather than dark yellow or even amber, 'aim for pale yellow,' Dr. Morgan says. Besides darkened pee, you also might notice other side effects if you're dehydrated, like fatigue, bad breath, dry mouth, and sugar cravings. 'Brain fog and headaches,' too, Nelson adds. 2. You wait until you're thirsty to drink… Thirst is a frequently misinterpreted sensation. Rather than your sign to start hydrating, it's actually more of an alarm bell flagging that you're overdue, according to Nelson. 'By that point, you may already be mildly dehydrated,' Dr. Morgan says. In fact, the sensation of thirst typically doesn't kick in until you've lost more than 1.5 liters of water through bodily processes like breathing, peeing, and sweating—so don't wait until then to drink something. The goal: 'Steady, proactive hydration,' Dr. Morgan says. Which leads us straight into our next point… 3. …and then you play catch-up. Sipping small amounts of fluid over a long period of time is a much better approach to hydration than chugging a large amount all at once. Basically, 'it's better to spread it out throughout the day and not wait,' Nelson says. Not only does this reduce your dehydration risk ('You're not going to go into a deficit as easily,' Nelson says), it'll also be easier on your stomach, preventing bloating and discomfort. Seriously, consistency is key. Besides, Dr. Morgan notes, it's not like chugging will instantly bring you back to baseline and fix any dehydration-related issues you might be experiencing: This way, 'your body won't absorb it all at once,' she explains. Plus, Nelson points out, delaying the bulk of your fluid intake until late in the afternoon or evening could disrupt your sleep since you'll likely have to get up to pee during the night. 4. You skimp on fluids around your workout. Hydrating is important regardless of your activity level, but it becomes even more pressing when you have exercise on the docket. 'It's important to pre-hydrate and also post-hydrate,' Nelson says. Running low on H2O right off the bat can affect your athletic performance in a number of ways (like raising your risk of cramps, hurting concentration and focus, and reducing flexibility, speed, and stamina), so drinking enough beforehand can help you show out to the best of your abilities. Meanwhile, all that exertion will dehydrate you faster (thanks, sweat!), so drinking enough afterward aids in recovery. Blanket fluid recs are hard to make for athletes, too, but in general, they should shoot to drink 17 to 20 ounces of fluid two hours before exercising, and seven to 10 ounces every 10 to 20 minutes while exercising, per the American Council on Exercise. Weigh yourself before and after, and drink at least 20 ounces of water for every pound lost through sweat. 5. You don't keep track of your intake. Take it from Dr. Morgan: It's shockingly easy to end up in the red. 'A lot of people simply get busy and don't realize how little they've had to drink,' she says. That's why, Nelson says, you should be 'really intentional' in your approach to hydration—'knowing where you're at to start with and whether you need to improve.' Once people start documenting their intake, they're typically surprised by their actual total, she adds. If you struggle with remembering to drink (or you're prone to distractions), try keeping a water bottle on hand as both a visual aid prompting you to sip and a measuring tool quantifying the amount. Plus, this hack can help you portion out your fluids. Say you have a hydration goal of 60 ounces per day, for example. By 11 a.m., you should be around 20 ounces in; by 4 p.m., 40 ounces. This way, 'you kind of have a schedule,' Nelson says. Setting a timer for every 15 to 20 minutes can also be helpful. 6. You blow off water-rich foods. News flash: You don't necessarily have to drink a huge amount in order to hit your daily hydration goal. In some cases, eating can actually benefit your bottom line, Nelson says. Because certain foods consist almost entirely of H2O (as in, upward of 90%!), treating yourself to high-water-content items like fruits and veggies can contribute to your overall fluid intake—especially if you're teetering right on the edge of adequate hydration. To be clear, you shouldn't rely solely on food for all your daily water, according to Levi: We 'definitely need to drink' still, she says. With that caveat out of the way, strong options include oranges (88% water), cantaloupe (90%), strawberries (92%), watermelon (92%), zucchini (94%), cucumbers (95%), and lettuce (96%), not to mention liquid foods like soups, smoothies, and shakes. In fact, it's estimated that around 20% of your daily intake actually has food as its source. 7. You pile on the electrolytes. Quick overview in case the term 'electrolytes' is just a fitness buzzword to you: They're 'minerals that carry an electrical charge and support fluid balance throughout the body,' Levi says. So sodium, potassium, and magnesium play an important role in the overarching hydration conversation. That said, it's a mistake to think that electrolyte-rich drinks are automatically better than plain water—or that everyone needs extra electrolytes in the first place, according to Levi. In most cases, a balanced diet should actually provide all you need. For example, potassium can be found in 'beans, bananas, avocado, and Greek yogurt,' Levi says. And pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, and nuts are great food sources of magnesium. Meanwhile, beverages like bone broth, smoothies, and unsweetened coconut water can also help you re-up if necessary (though Levi cautions that the hype around coconut water is seriously overblown). In reality, electrolyte drinks (like Gatorade and Powerade) and supplemental electrolytes (like Liquid IV or Gatorade Thirst Quencher powder) are best suited to a small population of people: competitive athletes, folks spending extended intervals in intense heat, and anyone else who's losing a considerable amount of fluids in a short period of time, according to Levi. 'For these groups, electrolyte-rich drinks can be helpful for swift rehydration,' she says. But for the average healthy person? 'Daily electrolyte supplementation is not a requirement.' (Here's more info on whether you should try electrolyte packets.) What's more, Nelson adds, many of these drinks and supplements contain a ton of sugar, an ingredient that can actually hurt your hydration mission. 8. You rely too heavily on sugary drinks… 'While all types of drinks will supply fluid, we want to be mindful of what types of beverages we're relying on to stay hydrated,' Levi says. Not all are created equal: Sugary types—think sodas, coffees made with sweet syrups, and many fruit juices, according to Levi—'may taste refreshing, but they don't hydrate as efficiently as water,' Dr. Morgan says. They can even have a dehydrating effect, since the sugar molecules pull water out of your body and into your blood. What's more, sugary beverages can also have other health downsides. They can hurt your energy levels by causing the infamous 'sugar crash,' Dr. Morgan adds. (To compound the problem, dehydration itself can also make you feel sluggish, so you could be in for a potential double whammy of fatigue.) And routinely overloading on sugar can also raise your risk of metabolic disease in the long term, according to Levi. Instead, use water as your go-to beverage (and if the plain stuff doesn't appeal, keep on reading). 9. …or those heavy on caffeine or carbonation. In addition to sugary beverages, you'll also want to limit carbonated and caffeinated ones, according to Nelson. 'Carbonation will make you feel full so you feel like you've drunk more fluid than you actually have,' limiting your intake and making it tough to stay adequately hydrated,' she says. The bubbles are also associated with GI issues like bloating and gas as well as dental wear and tear, according to Levi. Meanwhile, caffeine can cause you to pee and poop more, accelerating fluid loss and promoting dehydration. It can also trigger side effects like nausea, shakiness, anxiety, and poor sleep, as anyone who's ever overindulged knows all too well. Cap your caffeine intake at 400 milligrams or less per day (around two to three 12-fluid-ounce cups, max), Levi recommends. 10. Or, on the flip side, you force yourself to stick entirely to fluids you just don't enjoy. The blandness of water can be a big turnoff. Many folks simply don't drink it often because, well, they don't like the taste compared to the more flavorful beverages out there—so if tweaking the taste will help, do it! If making that change means you'll drink more, 'that's a real benefit,' Nelson says. To impart a light boost, try adding fruit or vegetable infusions, according to Nelson. Per Levi, you can do this by squeezing in some fresh lime or lemon juice, popping in some frozen berries, or adding fresh mint or basil leaves. This way, your H2O will be a bit more palatable (and thus easier for you to swallow, literally), but it'll still provide all the same hydration benefits. (And a hint for active people seeking more punch in their post-workout beverage: Chocolate milk makes 'a pretty good recovery drink,' Nelson says.) 11. You don't adjust your fluid intake, like, ever. Your hydration needs aren't fixed; they can fluctuate depending on your situation. Like we mentioned earlier, 'you need more fluids when you're active or it's hot out,' Dr. Morgan says, but other risk factors can also boost your hydration needs, like illness. In the event of fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, 'we're going to lose a lot of those fluids, so then we have to replenish them,' Nelson says. Other potential dehydration risk factors include alcohol and some medications, like laxatives, diuretics, and oral meds for type 2 diabetes. 12. And finally, you assume that more is always better. It's a classic case of too much of a good thing: 'Drinking enough water is essential for steady energy levels and healthy digestion,' but at the same time, it is possible to do it to excess—and even to the point of endangering your health, Levi says. Downing a ton over one to two hours can pose hazards like water intoxication, a.k.a. hyponatremia, the medical term for dangerously low sodium levels in the blood. 'Hyponatremia can cause nausea, vomiting, weakness and, in extreme cases, seizures or comas,' Levi says. To be clear, however, these kinds of severe side effects are rare: 'You'd likely have to chug a full gallon of water in an hour to be at risk,' she adds. (A more common occurrence? Like we mentioned above, you pound so much at once that your body can't actually absorb it efficiently.) So what are the signs that you've been a little overzealous in your hydration mission? Clear pee, for one. Just as you can gauge whether you're dehydrated by the color of your urine—remember, dark yellow indicates you need to drink more—so it can also tell you whether you're overhydrated. When your, ahem, output has no hue, it's a sign that you've gone overboard. Related: The Best Way to Treat Dry Mouth, No Matter the Cause How to Cool Down Fast When You're Hot, Cranky, and Just Can't Stop Sweating The Best Hydration Products To Help You Drink More Water Get more of SELF's great service journalism delivered right to your inbox. Originally Appeared on Self
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
The Biggest Myths About Sugar and Carbs, According to Nutritionists
Protein gets a lot of attention these days, for good reason, but carbs are an important part of a healthy diet, too. Unfortunately, myths about carbs and sugar abound—leading some women to be overly avoidant of the macro. Meet the experts: Pinchieh Chiang, D.O., a board-certified family physician at Circle Medical, Jessica Corwin, M.P.H., R.D.N., a dietitian and menopausal health coach at Respin Health, and Lauren Manaker, M.S., R.D.N., L.D., a Charleston-based registered dietitian. It's true that your body may react to carbs differently before and after menopause: 'Hormonal shifts during menopause, particularly the drop in estrogen, can change how the body processes carbohydrates,' says Pinchieh Chiang, D.O., a board-certified family physician at Circle Medical. 'Some women develop more insulin resistance around this time, which means their bodies don't manage blood sugar as efficiently,' she continues. 'As a result, they may be more sensitive to spikes and crashes in blood glucose, which can affect energy, appetite, and even mood.' However, that doesn't mean carbs should be avoided altogether. And in fact: 'Carbs aren't the enemy—they're a key player in thriving through midlife,' says Jessica Corwin, M.P.H., R.D.N., a dietitian and menopausal health coach at Respin Health. Instead, experts including Dr. Chiang suggest focusing more on complex, fiber-rich sources of the macro, like vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and fruits, and reducing refined sugars (like those found in packaged desserts) and ultra-processed carbohydrate sources (like those found in chips and fast food). With that in mind, here are some common misconceptions around carbs and sugar to have on your radar. Myth #1: Sugar isn't a carb. Sugar is a carb, but not all carbs are sugar, says Corwin. Sugar is actually one of three types of carbohydrates, which also include starch and fiber, Corwin explains. 'Sugar is the simplest form—think table sugar, honey, or the natural sugars in fruit (fructose) or dairy (lactose),' she adds. 'But complex carbs like quinoa or black beans? Those are in the same family, just with more fiber, protein, and staying power.' Simple sugar is the easiest to over-consume because it's not satiating and has the least nutritional value. It quickly spikes blood sugar, whereas fiber and starch, also known as complex carbs, are broken down with a more gentle and steady blood sugar release that provides the body with more energy for longer. 'I like to incorporate sugar when it helps you to make whole foods more palatable,' says Corwin. 'Perhaps a drizzle of a balsamic glaze over roasted vegetables, a spoonful of pure maple syrup over acorn squash, chocolate hummus with strawberries or cucumber, or even a drizzle of honey in green tea,' she says. Just be mindful of your overall total. 'The American Heart Association recommends we keep the total to six teaspoons (24 grams) or less per day.' Myth #2: The sugar in fruit and candy get processed in the same way. The belief here is that natural sugars and added sugars are one and the same, which isn't necessarily true. 'The sugar in fruit comes packaged with fiber, antioxidants, and water, which helps slow absorption and supports metabolic health,' says Dr. Chiang. 'It's a very different scenario from drinking a sugary beverage or eating candy.' Fiber from foods with natural sugars like fruit can also help maintain digestive regularity, lower cholesterol, and promote satiety, she adds. Myth #3: Artificial sweeteners are worse than added sugar. The data is still evolving, and some potential health risks related to the overuse of artificial sweeteners have surfaced. But, moderate use of some low-calorie sweeteners may be helpful for people trying to reduce their added sugar intake, especially if they're managing insulin resistance or prediabetes, says Dr. Chiang. 'It really depends on the individual's overall diet and response,' she concludes, which means it's best to talk to your doctor before upping your artificial sweetener intake if you have one of these conditions. Myth #4: Your body needs sugar for energy. Yes, glucose is technically the body's preferred energy source, explains Corwin, but you don't need to get it in its simplest form, especially because those quick hits are just that, quick, and won't sustain you for very long. 'Your body can get glucose from a range of healthy carbs like fruit, beans, and grains,' Corwin says. 'Balanced meals with fiber and protein keep your energy more stable than a sugar hit ever could.' Myth #5: You should eliminate sugar completely during menopause. It's true that when estrogen declines during menopause, insulin sensitivity becomes a concern, Corwin reiterates. 'Yet this all-or-nothing thinking is the real problem,' she says. 'Total elimination usually leads to craving and eventual overdoing it.' Corwin recommends trying dark chocolate with almonds or honey in oats when cravings strike. Myth #6: Eating low-carb is the best strategy during perimenopause and post-menopause. 'While some people do well with reduced-carb patterns, others may not,' says Dr. Chiang. 'Carbohydrates, especially those from whole plant sources, can still be part of a balanced, nourishing diet in menopause.' 'Overeating any food can lead to weight gain, not just carbs,' adds Lauren Manaker, M.S., R.D.N., L.D., a Charleston-based registered dietitian. Complex carbs are also contributors to other aspects of health, such as supporting your gut microbiome, keeping the stress hormone cortisol in check, and helping to produce serotonin for mood and melatonin for sleep, Corwin says. So, instead of cutting carbs, she recommends focusing on quality. Myth #7: Protein is more important than carbs. 'Both are important,' emphasizes Manaker. 'Protein helps with muscle repair and satiety, while carbs are your body's primary energy source. A balanced diet includes both.' It's true that protein becomes vital for maintaining muscle mass and metabolism as estrogen declines; however, carbs provide a primary fuel source for the brain and muscles, adds Dr. Chiang. So they're just as crucial. The bottom line Complex carbs and natural sugars are essential for energy, brain function, and overall well-being. During menopause, they can support mental clarity, digestion, mood, and more. You Might Also Like Can Apple Cider Vinegar Lead to Weight Loss? Bobbi Brown Shares Her Top Face-Transforming Makeup Tips for Women Over 50
