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Happenings of Note
Take Precautions to Stay Safe in Sacramento’s Summer Heat
By
Michael A. Piekarz
Staff Writer
The
arrival of hot summer weather has prompted aging experts to advise
seniors to take precautions in an effort to avoid heat-related illnesses.
Over 200 Americans die of health-related problems caused by high heat and humidity
each year. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), those over age
65 and older are more prone to heat stress than the general population. CDC cites
several reasons explaining why seniors are more heat-sensitive than others.
Elderly people do not adjust well to sudden changes in temperature. They are
also more likely to have a chronic medical condition that upsets normal body
responses to heat. Additionally, seniors are more likely to take prescription
medicines that impair their body’s ability to regulate its temperature
or that inhibit perspiration.
“Sometimes, older people may not feel hot when the temperature is dangerously
high and are also less likely to feel thirsty, which means their bodies have
lost too much water,” says John B. Murphy, M.D., president of the American
Geriatrics Society (AGS).
According to Dr. Murphy, the most common health problems caused by high temperatures
include dehydration, heat stroke and heat exhaustion. He suggests some tips seniors
can take in order to help them stay safe during the summer months.
Seniors should use air conditioning in their homes or go to locations where it’s
air-conditioned – a shopping mall, grocery store, senior center, movie
theatre, museum or library, for example. Cool showers, baths or sponge baths
are also a great way to help keep cool.
Persons of all ages should drink lots of water and other clear beverages that
don’t contain alcohol or caffeine. According to Dr. Murphy, a good way
to measure if enough fluids are being ingested is to check your urine color.
If your urine is a light yellow color, enough water is being taken into the body.
If it’s darker yellow, the body needs more water.
Common sense plays a major role in staying safe when the temperatures soar. During
outdoor activities, seniors should wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothes
and hats. Care should be taken to avoid extended periods of sun exposure, and
strenuous activities should be avoided, particularly when the temperature or
humidity is high.
CDC also recommends that seniors use a buddy system. Those 65 years of age or
older should have a friend or relative call to check on them twice a day when
temperatures are high.
“Many cases of heat illness are preventable and can be successfully treated
if such conditions are properly recognized and appropriate care is provided in
a timely manner,” said certified athletic trainer Brendon McDermott of
the University of Connecticut.
McDermott is working with the American College of Sports Medicine and the American
Medical Association to issue warnings in conjunction with their Exercise is Medicine
initiative.
Symptoms to look for include dehydration, heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Dehydration
is characterized by weakness, headache, muscle cramps, dizziness, confusion and
passing out.
Heat stroke symptoms include a body temperature of 103 degrees or more; red,
hot and dry skin; a fast pulse; headache; dizziness; nausea or vomiting; confusion
and loss of consciousness.
Heat exhaustion is characterized by heavy sweating or no sweating; muscle cramps;
tiredness; weakness; paleness; cold or clammy skin; dizziness; headache; nausea
or vomiting; and fainting.
If these symptoms are present, immediately seek medical attention.
This page and its contents ©2008
Metropolitan News Company, Inc.
