Whether It’s the Heat or Humidity, It’s HOT

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Healthcare Network Southwest Florida

Posted on

Jun 17, 2024

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Florida - Southwest

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The National Weather Service outlook for this summer predicts Florida temperatures will be warmer than normal, particularly in the hottest months of July and August.

The combination of high temperatures and persistent humidity adds up. Humidity makes it harder for the cooling evaporation of sweat to be effective, so it feels hotter. The Heat Index measures how hot air temperatures really feels because of humidity.  

Experts recommend using caution when temperatures rise above 90 (or 84 degrees F with 70 percent or higher humidity). Temperatures above 100 F can be dangerous for anyone. 

As we age, sweat glands, our body’s mechanism to cool itself, don’t produce as much as they once did, and are often diminished by medication. In addition, seniors are more likely to have chronic conditions such as diabetes or lung disease, which reduce our ability to cope with heat.

When temperatures are high, seniors are especially vulnerable to developing heat stroke because of the aging body’s decreased capacity to adapt to changes in body temperature.

With that in mind, here are some tips for sun safety when it’s hot: 

·      Drink more water than you think you need. Without enough water, we can feel faint and nauseous, which can cause us to get dizzy and fall. Medications can impact how our kidneys hold water. The cues our brains send that tell us to drink can diminish as we age. Caffeine and alcohol affect our response to heat.

·      Skip outdoor activities between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun is hottest. Find a cool place, such as an interior location with air conditioners and fans, staying out of the sun during the heat of the day. Take a cool shower or bath or apply a cold compress. Many places offer cooling centers with air conditioning, including public libraries, churches, recreation centers and senior centers. Go shopping or to the movies.

·      Watch for symptoms like dizziness, nausea, headache, being overly tired, rapid pulse or muscle cramps. Behavioral changes, like being confused, combative or delirious are serious and should be checked. Some signs of heat exhaustion or heat-related conditions, which are generally related to an excessive loss of water and salt, include skin that’s very warm to the touch, extreme thirst and excessive sweating.

 

High heat can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat stroke, which is a medical emergency. For any kind of heat distress, move to a cool place and put cool, wet cloths on the body or take a cool bath.  

 

Signs of heat stroke include high body temperature, hot red or damp skin, fast pulse, headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion and passing out. If you suspect heat stroke, call 911, take the steps above and don’t give the person anything to drink.  

 

Sun exposure can impact our skin even more than when we were younger. Aging skin is thin and dry. However, less than half of older adults protect their skin from the sun, which may raise the risk of getting skin cancer.

 

The American Cancer Society recommends having a skin exam every three years between the ages of 20 and 40, then annually thereafter. While Medicare will not generally cover preventative screening, it will cover a dermatology visit that is medically necessary to assess a problematic skin spot or mole. Free skin screenings are offered for seniors in many places, including at https://www.moffitt.org/diagnostic-services/cancer-screenings/mole-patrol/.

 

Summer is a great time to enjoy the company of others. Games, outings, classes, dances and other activities can keep you busy and social. Mall walking, swimming and water aerobics and gyms can be cool ways to exercise when it’s hot.

 

About the Author

Reinier Ramirez, MD is a family care provider and the Medical Director of Adult Medicine at Healthcare Network, a nonprofit with a mission to provide quality healthcare accessible to everyone, regardless of job, income, or insurance. Visit HealthcareSWFL.org for more information.

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