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Seniors must keep cool when the heat waves of summer hit

By Andrea Dorey

Global warming is real, immediate and ominous. After Katrina, more of us have become concerned about global warming's impact on hurricane strength, precipitation and sea levels. The Arctic is quite literally melting, and Alaskans are now experiencing the most dramatic climate change on Earth. California's declining mountain snowpack is a threat to water supplies in an already parched region. It's quite likely this year Californians will see a hotter summer than we endured last year.

Intense summer heat is risky for people, especially for the elderly; young children to age 4; those with cardiac, respiratory, circulatory, or kidney problems; and those taking medications such as diuretics, sedatives, tranquilizers, psychotropics and some heart and blood pressure medicines. During the heat wave in Chicago in 1995, Clark Staten, the director of the Emergency Response and Research Institute, warned, "Even those that don't have a preexisting medical condition can easily be affected by this type of heat and high humidity."

The temperature in Chicago that July was 106 degrees; the heat index (heat plus humidity) rose above 120 degrees. Outside, city streets buckled and train rails warped. So many people needed hospitalization that many emergency rooms were closed to new patients, and many victims never made it to any hospital. When the heat wave was over, 739 people had died in Chicago as a result.

During a 1999 heat wave, Chicago was ready with warnings to the media, and free bus transportation to newly established "cooling centers." Police and city workers went door-to-door or made phone calls to check up on seniors who lived alone. That aggressive response drastically reduced the death toll of the 1999 heat wave: 110 residents died, a fraction of the 1995 level.

Many of us remember the heat wave in 2003 in Europe: That August France lost 14,802 residents and Italy lost 20,000 due to heat. These are not isolated incidents. Every major report on global warming--including a recent White House study--warns an increase in severe heat waves is likely. We seniors need to be armed with knowledge of how to protect ourselves and those around us from hyperthermia. Being too hot for too long can cause the many illnesses grouped under the name hyperthermia.

* Heat cramps are the painful tightening of muscles in your stomach area, arms or legs. Cramps can result from hard work or exercise. While your body temperature and pulse usually stay normal during heat cramps, your skin may feel moist and cool. Find a way to cool your body down. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids (about half a glass every 15 minutes), but no alcohol or caffeine.

* Heat edema is a swelling in your ankles and feet when you get hot. Putting your legs up should help. If it doesn't, check with your doctor.

* Heat syncope is a sudden dizziness that can happen when you are active in the heat. If you take heart medications (such as beta blockers) or are not used to hot weather, you are even more likely to feel faint in the heat. Putting your legs up in a cool place should make the dizzy feeling recede.

* Heat exhaustion is a warning that your body can no longer keep itself cool. You might feel thirsty, dizzy, weak, uncoordinated and nauseated. Your body temperature is near normal, but your skin may feel cold and clammy with heavy sweating. (Note that seniors often don't start sweating until their temperature has already soared.) Resting in a cool place, drinking plenty of fluids and getting medical care should help; otherwise you could progress to heat stroke.

* Heat stroke is a medical emergency; call 911. The skin will be hot, red and dry; body temperature may be as high as 105 degrees; the victim may be unconscious. A quick immersion in a cool bath, or wrapping the body in cold, wet sheets should not delay getting medical help.

The simple precautions Staten of ERRI recommended to prevent hyperthermia are included in the following compilation:

Avoid strenuous activity, or do it during the coolest part of the day, from 4 a.m. to 7 a.m. Eat frequent, small meals, avoiding foods high in protein, which increases metabolic heat. Avoid alcohol, especially beer, which dehydrates, but do drink sports beverages that are designed to replace minerals lost in sweating. Stay indoors on the lowest floor. Use sun blocker: sunburn affects your body's ability to cool itself and lose body fluids. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Fans can help if the air is not hot. Open windows at night (if safe) to create cross-ventilation. Keep drapes drawn during the hottest part of the day; cover windows in full sun with foil-covered cardboard to reflect heat away from the house. Use wet washcloths on the back of your neck. Air out hot cars before getting in. Spend two hours per day in a cool zone such as a library, senior center, movie, mall or any place with air conditioning.

Seniors at high risk for hyperthermia might be able to access a program that provides window air conditioners or receive aid in paying cooling bills. Check with your senior center or local agency on aging.Andrea Dorey has been a medical writer for more than 25 years; for queries or comments, please contact her at andi@wrytor.com.