Institute on Aging Sounds Alarm for Danger to Senior
Citizens from Summer Heat
Risk of serious heat-related problems increases with
age; tips seniors should know
July
21, 2009 - As we age, our ability to adequately respond to
summer heat can become a serious problem. The National Institute on
Aging (NIA) has some advice
to help older people avoid heat-related illnesses, known
collectively as hyperthermia, during the summer months.
Hyperthermia can include heat stroke, heat fatigue,
heat syncope (sudden dizziness after exercising in the heat), heat
cramps and heat exhaustion. The risk for hyperthermia is a combination
of the outside temperature along with the general health and lifestyle
of the individual.
Health-related factors that may increase risk include:
● Age-related changes to the skin such as poor blood circulation and
inefficient sweat glands
● Heart, lung and kidney diseases, as well as any illness that causes
general weakness or fever
● High blood pressure or other conditions that require changes in
diet. For example, people on salt-restricted diets may increase their
risk. However, salt pills should not be used without first consulting a
doctor.
● The inability to perspire, caused by medications such as diuretics,
sedatives, tranquilizers and certain heart and blood pressure drugs
● Taking several drugs for various conditions. It is important,
however, to continue to take prescribed medication and discuss possible
problems with a physician.
● Being substantially overweight or underweight
● Drinking alcoholic beverages
● Being dehydrated
Lifestyle factors can also increase risk, including
-
● extremely hot living quarters,
● lack of transportation,
● overdressing,
● visiting overcrowded places and
● not understanding how to respond to weather conditions.
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About Heat Illness
Also called: Sunstroke
 Your body normally cools itself by sweating. During
hot weather, especially with high humidity, sweating just isn't enough.
Your body temperature can rise to dangerous levels and you can develop a
heat illness. Most heat illnesses occur from staying out in the heat too
long.
Exercising too much for your age and physical condition are also
factors.
Older adults, young children and those who are sick or
overweight are most at risk.
Drinking fluids, replenishing salt and
minerals and limiting time in the heat can help.
Heat-related illnesses include
● Heatstroke - a life-threatening illness
in which body temperature may rise above 106° F in minutes; symptoms
include dry skin, rapid, strong pulse and dizziness
● Heat exhaustion - an illness that can
precede heatstroke; symptoms include heavy sweating, rapid breathing and
a fast, weak pulse
● Heat cramps - muscle pains or spasms
that happen during heavy exercise
● Heat rash - skin irritation from
excessive sweating
>> More
Heat Stress in the Elderly(Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention)
> Also available in
Spanish
>>
Hyperthermia: Too Hot for Your Health(National
Institute on Aging)
> Also available in
Spanish
>>
Keep it Cool in Hot Weather(National
Institutes of Health)
|
Older people, particularly those at special risk,
should stay indoors on particularly hot and humid days, especially when
there is an air pollution alert in effect.
People without fans or air conditioners should go
to places such as shopping malls, movie theaters, libraries or cooling
centers which are often provided by government agencies, religious
groups, and social service organizations in many communities.
Heat stroke is an advanced form of hyperthermia
that occurs when the body is overwhelmed by heat and unable to control
its temperature.
Someone with a body temperature above 104 degrees
is likely suffering from heat stroke and may have symptoms of -
● confusion,
● combativeness,
● strong rapid pulse,
● lack of sweating,
● dry flushed skin,
● faintness,
● staggering,
● possible delirium or
● coma.
Seek immediate medical attention for a person with
any of these symptoms, especially an older adult.
If you suspect that someone is suffering from a
heat-related illness:
● Get the person out of the sun and into an
air-conditioned or other cool place.
● Offer fluids such as water, fruit and
vegetable juices, but avoid alcohol and caffeine.
● Encourage the individual to shower, bathe or
sponge off with cool water.
● Apply a cold, wet cloth to the wrists, neck,
armpits, and/or groin, places where blood passes close to the surface
and the cold cloths can help cool the blood.
● Urge the person to lie down and rest,
preferably in a cool place.
For a free copy of the NIAs Age Page on
hyperthermia in English or in Spanish, contact the NIA Information
Center at 1-800-222-2225 or go to
http://www.niapublications.org/agepages/hyperther.asp or
www.niapublications.org/agepages/hyperther-sp.asp for the
Spanish-language version.
The NIA, part of the National Institutes of Health, leads the federal effort supporting and
conducting research on aging and the medical, social and behavioral
issues of older people. For more information on research and the aging,
go to
www.nia.nih.gov.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH)
The Nation's Medical Research Agency
includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary federal
agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical and translational
medical research, and it investigates the causes, treatments, and cures
for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and
its programs, visit
www.nih.gov.
