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Seniors Need to Practice Prevention from Summer
Dangers
Heat, sun and mosquitoes pose serious risk for older
people
 July
3, 2005 Heat, sun and mosquitoes create dangerous situations for
senior citizens in summer as the heat index climbs, ultraviolet rays
intensify and mosquitoes multiply. Prevention is the key to protection
says the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services, which knows
a thing or two about heat, sun and mosquitoes.
When the temperature turns Texas Hot, at 100
degrees or better, we need to be very, very careful, particularly if
we're among the 6.5 million Baby Boomers who will begin to turn 60 next
year says DADS spokesman Don Rogers.
But today, particularly for those over 60, spending
a summer day outside requires not only more planning but also protection
and common sense, Rogers says.
Hot weather is a fact of life in Texas, but in the
middle of summer heat waves anywhere in America the risk of heat-related
illnesses, injuries and deaths jumps dramatically.
According to health experts, one of the most
dangerous factors during hot weather is the addition of humidity. The
combination of heat and humidity results in heat stress by interfering
with the body's ability to cool itself through sweating.
Heat Stress
When the weather is hot, the body works overtime
trying to keep cool. Excess heat escapes through sweating; exhaling
warmed air and increased blood flow to the skin. But hot weather can
overwhelm your body causing serious harm.
Heat stroke occurs when your body's natural temperature control systems
fail. Symptoms include profuse sweating, paleness, muscle cramps,
dizziness, nausea or vomiting, agitation, racing pulse, lethargy,
confusion, hyperventilation, convulsions and eventually loss of
consciousness.
Prevention is your best defense against heat
stress:
-
Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored
clothing.
-
Limit vigorous activity during hot, humid
weather, particularly in the middle of the day.
-
Exercise in the cooler morning or evening
hours.
-
Drink two-to-five more glasses than the usual
amount of water and non-sugar, non-alcoholic beverages. Remember,
drinking soda pop only adds salt to your body.
-
Rest in a cool place. If no air conditioning is
available, fans are helpful.
-
Use a buddy system between you and a friend in
high-heat-stress situations.
-
Ask your doctor if any medications you are
taking: prescription or over-the-counter medications may interfere
with your body's ability to regulate temperature.
Mosquito Bites
Not all bug bites are cause for alarm. However,
mosquitoes can carry West Nile Virus or forms of encephalitis. It is
important to protect yourself from such bites. The chance of becoming
ill from a single mosquito bite remains low. However, the risk of severe
illness and death is highest for people over 50.
Again, prevention is key:
-
Apply an appropriate insect repellent when you
go outdoors -- even for a short time.
-
When possible, wear long-sleeves, long pants
and socks outdoors.
-
Be especially vigilant from dusk to dawn: this
is peak mosquito bite time.
-
Remove or clean objects on your property such
as old tires, buckets and clogged rain gutters that can collect
water. Standing water is a fertile breeding ground for mosquitoes.
If you can't do it yourself, ask for help. Contact a local Boy
Scout troop or the Area Agency for Aging in your area listed in the
White Pages of your phone book under government services.
-
Install or repair window and door screens so
that mosquitoes cannot get indoors.
Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in
the United States. Most skin cancers appear after age 50. According to
current estimates, 40 to 50 percent of Americans age 65 or older will
have skin cancer at least once.
Ultraviolet radiation from the sun is the main
cause of skin cancer. Your lifetime sun exposure contributes to your
risk of skin cancer. Nonetheless, regardless of how much time you've
spent in the sun over the years, you can still take steps now to protect
your skin:
-
Get checked for skin cancer -- early detection
can make a world of difference.
-
Avoid exposure to the midday sun (from 11 a.m.
to 3 p.m.).
-
Wear protective clothing, such as sun hats and
long sleeves, to block out the sun's harmful rays.
-
Use lotions that contain sunscreens (SPF 15 or
higher) to protect your skin.
The summer sun can be fun, safe and refreshing if
you follow these simple suggestions to reduce your risk. Take care of
yourself and you'll enjoy the weather that much more, Rogers says.
Source: Texas Department of Aging and Disability
Services at
http://www.dads.state.tx.us .
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