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Hot Temperatures and High Humidity Bring Danger of Heat Stress
As the weather heats up, seniors should try to keep cool to avoid heat stress and potential complications like heat exhaustion, heat stroke, heart failure, and stroke.
"Heat and high humidity can put a strain on your body. Seniors are especially vulnerable to prolonged exposure to high temperatures and humidity because of physical changes they've experienced," said Marge LeDuc, preventative health nurse with VNA Care Network & Hospice. "Knowing the warning signs of heat stress and taking precautions to avoid it can help keep you healthy during the summer."
Maureen Sendrowski, preventative health coordinator with VNA Care Network & Hospice, added, "Temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit and/or high humidity are especially dangerous, but it doesn't take a heat wave to cause problems." She tells seniors and other adults that if they experience any of the mild signs of heat stress, including feeling hot and uncomfortable, loss of appetite, and lack of energy, to try these tips for keeping cool:
- Exercise before 9 a.m. or after 6 p.m. when temperatures tend to be cooler.
- Stay in an air-conditioned place. If you do not have air-conditioning in your home, go to an air-conditioned public place, if possible, such as a library or senior center. If you are unsure if your town has a senior center or other air-conditioned place for seniors, call your town's Council on Aging for further assistance.
If you are unable to go to an air-conditioned place on a hot and/or humid day, VNA Care Network & Hospice staff also recommend trying to:
- Stay in the shade and out of direct sunlight.
- Apply sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes before going outside. Sunburns affect your body's ability to cool itself and cause a loss of fluids.
- Take a slightly cool bath or shower.
- Put cool, damp towels on your body.
- Use fans to keep air circulating.
- Avoid strenuous activities. If engaging in strenuous activities, pace yourself and rest frequently.
- Wear light-colored, lightweight, loose clothing made out of a material that allows sweat to evaporate such as cotton. Avoid synthetic materials like polyester.
- Protect your head and neck when outside by wearing a wide-brimmed hat or using an umbrella.
- Drink frequently to replace fluids lost by sweating. Avoid fluids containing alcohol, caffeine, or salt. If you have a problem with retaining water or a special medical condition, check with your doctor about the amount of fluids you should be drinking.
- Avoid hot foods and heavy meals, since it adds heat to your body. If you use a stove, try to cook during cooler times of the day.
- Use salt tablets only with your doctor's approval.
- Ask a friend or relative to check on you at least twice a day.
- Don't ignore the warning signs of heat stress.
Contact a doctor or other health care provider if the mild signs of heat stress continue for a prolonged period of time after taking these actions. Contact a physician immediately if you are experiencing any of the following serious symptoms of heat stress: breathing problems, chest pain, muscle cramps, diarrhea, dizziness, dry skin (no sweating), great weakness, mental changes, confusion, nausea, rapid heartbeat, throbbing headache, extremely high body temperature (above 103 degrees Fahrenheit when taken orally), and/or vomiting.