We all look for ways to keep cool in the summer heat but this is especially important for senior citizens in terms of their health and safety.
Hot weather can be particularly dangerous for those who are elderly. In order to be able to help the senior citizens in your life it helps to understand who is at the greatest risk. Here we look at that. In part two we will look at how to prevent these heat-related problems from affecting you or someone you care about.
Heat-related illnesses often strike those most vulnerable to them. That includes people on either side of the age spectrum – the very young and the older population.
Heat cramps is something that many older people suffer from as is heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Deaths among elderly people are very common during the summer months. It is important to keep in regular contact with older individuals in your life, be they family members, friends or neighbors to make sure that they are staying cool when the temperature starts to rise.
Find out if they are consuming an adequate amount of fluids. This is necessary to prevent dehydration.
There are some people who are at the greatest risks of health problems connected to the heat. These include those over the age of 50 as well as those who have high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease or lung problems. There are some types of medications that make it difficult for the body to cool itself off through sweating.
Any person who is taking these types of medications has a greater chance of developing a condition associated with the heat. Examples of these include certain types of heart and blood pressure meds, diuretics, sedatives and tranquilizers.
Individuals who live in homes without air conditioning or homes that lack good circulation can also find themselves at a higher risk for heat exhaustion or heat stroke, etc. Be aware that the temperature during the summer months does not have to reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit in order for a person to be stricken with a heat- related sickness.
Those who are overweight or underweight are also at a greater risk for a health problem connected to the heat. If you tend to drink alcohol frequently then you increase your risk as well.
If you take different types of medications for a variety of health issues then talk to your doctor about how these drugs (and /or the combination of them) can cause you problems in the summer when you are sweating and trying to cool down. Do not stop taking your prescription medication in the summertime without your doctor’s knowledge. Instead talk to him or her first about your concerns.
Continue onto part two to learn about how to prevent heat-related illnesses.
Samantha
Alternative Health for Today 