For Alabamians, heat and humidity are facts of life during the summer months. In June, July and August, temperatures can soar into the 90s daily, sometimes even breaking the 100-degree mark. Add in the humidity and the heat index — the measure of how hot the air actually feels — can climb to 115 F or higher.
In such extreme weather, individuals of any age are at risk for milder forms of heat-related illnesses including sunburn, heat cramps and heat rash, as well as the two most serious forms of heat illness — heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, however, people 65 and older are more prone to heat stress than younger people. This increased risk occurs for several reasons:
► Elderly people do not adjust as well as young people to sudden changes in temperature.
► They are more likely to have a chronic medical condition that upsets normal body responses to heat.
► They are more likely to take prescription medicines that impair the body’s ability to regulate its temperature or that inhibit perspiration.
Dr. Larry Lee, a physician at Baptist Health Center Cahaba Valley in Pelham, said people with limited income and resources are probably the most at risk because they are unable to live in an air-conditioned house or even afford house fans.
“As a result, these elderly individuals become dehydrated and overheated,” he said. “Often they are less responsive and are mistakenly believed to have had a stroke.”
In fact, the most serious heat-related illness is called heat stroke because the symptoms mimic those of stroke. Common symptoms of heat stroke include throbbing headache, dizziness, nausea and strong, rapid pulse. In addition, a victim of heat stroke has an oral body temperature higher than 103 F and red, hot, dry skin with no sweating and may even be unconscious.
The symptoms of heat exhaustion — which can rapidly progress to heat stroke — are similar to heat stroke, but the pulse tends to be weak and rapid and the skin may be pale and moist.
Heat exhaustion, especially in the elderly, should be treated as a life-threatening emergency, said Brad Appleton, a paramedic with the Center Point and Mountain Brook fire departments. He frequently sees heat exhaustion patients during the summer months.
“Many cases of heat exhaustion in the elderly occur while the individual is working inside the house,” said Appleton, a member of NorthPark Baptist Church, Trussville, in Birmingham Baptist Association. “We’ll go inside a house where a person has been painting or doing laundry and the inside temperature is very hot, but the person doesn’t realize their symptoms are heat-related.”
Getting medical care immediately is critical, Lee said, because heat stress can have serious consequences on the body.
“Short-term health dangers of heat stroke include an increased risk for kidney failure, potentially fatal electrolyte imbalances that can lead to cardiac arrhythmias and coma and an increased risk for heart attack since extreme heat and dehydration is so stressful to the heart,” he said. “Long-term dangers could include irreversible damage to vital organs such as kidney failure or heart attack.”
Staying well hydrated is critical to the prevention of heat-related illnesses, Lee said.
“Drinking plenty of liquids is even more important in elderly people who take diuretics, as these medications can accelerate dehydration,” he said.
Although an individual should speak to a doctor or pharmacist about specific medications that might cause dehydration, some common medications that remove fluid from the body, or act as diuretics, are medications for high blood pressure or cardiac disease and medications commonly called “water pills.”
Caffeine can also act as a diuretic, so Lee advised people to avoid drinking caffeine-containing fluids such as coffee and soft drinks. Drinking water or juice instead will help keep the body hydrated.
Also a person should not wait until he or she is thirsty to begin drinking. “Drink constantly throughout the day, and try to stay in a cool area during the heat of the summer,” Lee said. Using air conditioners and electric fans and wearing light clothing also will help the body keep cool.
Appleton emphasized the importance of getting prompt medical attention any time unusual symptoms occur.
“Don’t treat heat illness lightly. Heat stroke leads to death if not treated, and it can become overwhelming to a caregiver quickly,” he said.
“And if you’re alone and experiencing symptoms, it’s imperative to get someone to care for you before you lose consciousness and cannot call for help.”
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