5 facts about heat-related illnesses
- Sandfield Place
- Jul 19, 2021
- 1 min read
As heatwaves become increasingly common during the summer, the risk of developing a heat-related illness becomes more likely. Here are five things you should know about conditions such as heatstroke and heat exhaustion.
1. They can present in numerous ways. Symptoms of heat-related illnesses include dizziness, fainting, headache, fatigue, flushed or clammy skin, muscle cramps, confusion, heat rash and an elevated body temperature.
2. Older adults are at a higher risk. A loss of mobility can make it difficult for seniors to stay hydrated. Plus, the sensation of thirst decreases with age. Older adults who live alone are particularly vulnerable.
3. Some medications reduce heat tolerance. These include medications for high blood pressure, Parkinson’s disease, allergies and certain heart conditions. Always ask your pharmacist about the side effects of your medications.
4. Extreme heat can aggravate chronic conditions. Conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, lung disease and diabetes decrease your body’s ability to adapt to changes in temperature.
5. There are ways to reduce the risks. During a heat wave, be sure to drink plenty of water, perform physical activities in air-conditioned places, reduce caffeine and alcohol intake, wear lightweight, loosefitting clothing and frequently rest.
In addition to learning the risks and signs of heat-related illnesses, be sure to check your local news for extreme heat warnings and safety tips. By staying informed, you’ll be able to safely enjoy the summer weather
I was just reading through the ZEnhancer article on this topic, and the point about older adults not feeling thirsty as much really stood out. It’s a good reminder to check in on family members who might not realize they’re getting dehydrated. Heat exhaustion definitely sneaks up on you in ways you wouldn’t expect.
Reading popemote, I hadn't realized how many different ways heat exhaustion could show up, especially the point about symptoms like confusion and heat rash. The bit about older adults being more vulnerable because they might not feel thirsty is really important to remember.
I didn't realize that medications for high blood pressure or Parkinson's disease could reduce heat tolerance, which is an important detail for seniors to discuss with their pharmacist. It's also smart to check local news for extreme heat warnings during the summer, and using a grid maker could help visualize how to plan activities in air-conditioned places to stay safe.
Really helpful to see the symptoms listed out—I had no idea confusion could be a sign of heatstroke. My grandmother lives alone, and this reminded me to check on her more often during the summer; the Bizarre Lineage Wiki has some great background on vulnerability factors too.
That point about older adults losing their sense of thirst is something I never really thought about until a family member went through it. I appreciate you breaking down the symptoms so clearly—the list on Neverness to Everness Wiki actually helped me identify a few of these in myself last summer.