Stay Safe in the Summer Heat
For most of us, summer often brings excessive heat, which can lead to heat-related problems caused by hyperthermia, an abnormally high body temperature. Older adults and people with chronic medical conditions are particularly susceptible to hyperthermia and are at high risk for heat-related deaths. The National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health, has some tips to help older people avoid the hazards of hot weather.
Hyperthermia is caused by a failure of the heat-regulating mechanisms of the body to deal with the heat coming from the environment. Heat fatigue (sudden dizziness after prolonged exposure to the heat), heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke are all forms of hyperthermia. These conditions can pose special health risks for older adults, and can increase with the combination of outside temperature, general health, and individual lifestyle.
Here are the following factors that may increase hyperthermia risk:
- Alcohol use.
- High blood pressure or other health conditions that require changes in diet. For example, people on salt-restricted diets may be at increased risk.
- Heart, lung, and kidney diseases, as well as any illness that causes general weakness or fever.
- Use of multiple medications. (It is important, however, to continue to take prescribed medication and discuss possible problems with a physician.)
- Reduced perspiration caused by medications such as diuretics, sedatives, tranquilizers, and certain heart and blood pressure drugs.
- Age-related changes to the skin such as poor blood circulation and inefficient sweat glands.
- Being substantially overweight or underweight.
Lifestyle factors increasing the risk for hyperthermia in hot weather can include: not drinking enough fluids, living in housing without air conditioning, lack of mobility and access to transportation, overdressing, visiting overcrowded places, and not understanding how to respond to the weather condition.
We suggest that older people, particularly those with chronic medical conditions, stay indoors on hot and humid days, especially when an air pollution alert is in effect. People without air conditioners should go to places that do have air conditioning, such as senior centers, shopping malls, movie theaters and libraries. Cooling centers, which may be set up by local public health agencies, religious groups and social service organizations in many communities, are another option.
Alma Health and its service coordinators are dedicated to the care and safety of our patients. For more information about our services or for a free home health care assessment please visit http://www.almahealth.com/contact/ or call us today at (866) 695-8233.
WP_Post Object
(
[ID] => 594
[post_author] => 8
[post_date] => 2016-06-13 14:02:18
[post_date_gmt] => 2016-06-13 18:02:18
[post_content] => For most of us, summer often brings excessive heat, which can lead to heat-related problems caused by hyperthermia, an abnormally high body temperature. Older adults and people with chronic medical conditions are particularly susceptible to hyperthermia and are at high risk for heat-related deaths. The National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health, has some tips to help older people avoid the hazards of hot weather.
Hyperthermia is caused by a failure of the heat-regulating mechanisms of the body to deal with the heat coming from the environment. Heat fatigue (sudden dizziness after prolonged exposure to the heat), heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke are all forms of hyperthermia. These conditions can pose special health risks for older adults, and can increase with the combination of outside temperature, general health, and individual lifestyle.
Here are the following factors that may increase hyperthermia risk:
- Alcohol use.
- High blood pressure or other health conditions that require changes in diet. For example, people on salt-restricted diets may be at increased risk.
- Heart, lung, and kidney diseases, as well as any illness that causes general weakness or fever.
- Use of multiple medications. (It is important, however, to continue to take prescribed medication and discuss possible problems with a physician.)
- Reduced perspiration caused by medications such as diuretics, sedatives, tranquilizers, and certain heart and blood pressure drugs.
- Age-related changes to the skin such as poor blood circulation and inefficient sweat glands.
- Being substantially overweight or underweight.