The Dangers of Heat With Seniors!

Heat exhaustion is one of the heat-related syndromes, which range in severity from mild heat cramps  to potentially life-threatening heatstroke.  Signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion often begin suddenly, sometimes after excessive exercise, heavy perspiration, and inadequate fluid or salt intake.

Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion

The most common signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

   confusion

   dark-colored urine (which indicates dehydration)

   dizziness

   fainting

   fatigue

   headache

   muscle cramps

   nausea

   pale skin

   profuse sweating

   rapid heartbeat

Treatment for Heat Exhaustion

If you or anyone else has symptoms of heat exhaustion, it’s essential to immediately get out of the heat and rest, preferably in an air-conditioned environment. If you can’t get inside, try to find the nearest cool and shady place.

Other recommended strategies include:

   Drink plenty of non-caffeinated and non-alcoholic beverages.

   Remove any tight or unnecessary clothing.

   Take a cool shower, bath, or sponge bath.

   Apply other active cooling measures such as fans or ice towels.

If such measures fail to provide relief within 30 minutes, contact a doctor because untreated heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke.

After you’ve recovered from heat exhaustion, you’ll probably be more sensitive to high temperatures during the following week. So it’s best to avoid hot weather and heavy exercise until your doctor tells you that it’s safe to resume your normal activities.

Risk Factors for Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion is strongly related to the heat index, which is a measurement of how hot you feel when the effects of relative humidity and air temperature are combined. A relative humidity of 60% or more hampers sweat evaporation, which hinders your body’s ability to cool itself.

The risk of heat-related illness dramatically increases when the heat index climbs to 90 degrees or more. So it’s important — especially during heat waves — to pay attention to the reported heat index, and also to remember that the heat index is even higher when you are standing in full sunshine.

If you live in an urban area, you may be especially prone to develop heat exhaustion during a prolonged heat wave, particularly if there are stagnant atmospheric conditions and poor air quality. In what is known as the “heat island effect,” asphalt and concrete store heat during the day and only gradually release it at night, resulting in higher nighttime temperatures.