Hyperthermia
Hyperthermia, or overheating, is a risk to senior citizens. Body temperature is monitored by the brain, and excessive heat can cause the body to sweat which evaporates from the skin and cools the body. Being overheated for too long can cause illness that results in feeling faint, confused, or extra stress on the heart. Hyperthermia can be a serious threat to senior citizens, so it is important that seniors know the symptoms of overheating and how to treat them. Elder care professionals, or people who provide care for senior citizens should also know how to prevent and treat hyperthermia.
Common symptoms
* Heat cramps are painful tightening of muscles in the stomach, arms, and legs that can result from excessive body temperature. You can avoid this by cooling down or drinking plenty of fluids.
* Heat edema is swelling in the ankles and feet that can usually be relieved by putting them up - check with a doctor if this does not help.
* Heat syncope refers to sudden dizziness that can occur especially if you are taking certain heart medications. Putting your feet up or resting in a cool place can help the dizziness to subside.
* Heat exhaustion can cause a person to feel thirsty, dizzy, weak, uncoordinated, or nauseated. Increased sweating and cold, clammy skin are signs that your body is having trouble keeping cool. It is very important to find a cool place and drink fluids or heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke.
* Heat stroke can cause fainting, body temperature over 104 degrees F, confusion, grouchy or strange behavior, dry flushed skin and abnormal pulse, inability to sweat, and feeling delirious. This is an emergency and people should seek immediate medical attention and a cool place.
What to do
If you think that you are becoming overheated, be sure to know where to seek immediate medical attention. Here are some tips for what to do if you think you may have hyperthermia:
* Get out of the sun and into a cool place (air conditioning is the best)
* Drink more fluids that do not contain caffeine or alcohol
* Shower or bathe in cool water
* Lie down and rest
* Always call 9-1-1 if you are experiencing serious symptoms of overheating
Risk Factors
People who are more prone to hyperthermia include those with:
* Heart or blood vessel problems, poorly working sweat glands, or changes in skin due to aging
* Heart, lung, or kidney disease or illnesses that make you weak or feverish
* High blood pressure
* Conditions that are treated by diuretics, sedatives, tranquilizers, and heart and blood pressure medications
* taking multiple medications
* Being overweight or underweight
* Drinking alcoholic beverages
Prevention
* Drink plenty of fluids (at least eight glasses of water) and avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine.
* If you do not have fans or air conditioning, open windows at night on two sides of the building to create cross-ventilation; cover windows that are in direct sunlight; keep curtains or shades drawn during the middle of the day; or try to spend at least 2 hours a day in a public place with air conditioning (mall, movie theater, friend's house).
* See if there is local agency that provides senior citizens with wall air conditioning units
* If you need financial assistance with bills to pay for air conditioning, contact local agencies or senior centers that may know of programs that can provide assistance to senior citizens. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program can provide help (LIHEAP).
* Ask a friend to drive you to a cool place or find out about transportation services provided by local organizations. Do not wait for a bus in hot weather
* Pay attention to weather reports. You are more at risk when there are more humidity and pollution alerts.
* Dress appropriately for hot weather by wearing natural fabrics like cotton.
* Do not exercise or do lots of strenuous activities in hot temperatures.
* Avoid hot, crowed places.
Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Crumrine
Hyperthermia, or overheating, is a risk to senior citizens. Body temperature is monitored by the brain, and excessive heat can cause the body to sweat which evaporates from the skin and cools the body. Being overheated for too long can cause illness that results in feeling faint, confused, or extra stress on the heart. Hyperthermia can be a serious threat to senior citizens, so it is important that seniors know the symptoms of overheating and how to treat them. Elder care professionals, or people who provide care for senior citizens should also know how to prevent and treat hyperthermia.
Common symptoms
* Heat cramps are painful tightening of muscles in the stomach, arms, and legs that can result from excessive body temperature. You can avoid this by cooling down or drinking plenty of fluids.
* Heat edema is swelling in the ankles and feet that can usually be relieved by putting them up - check with a doctor if this does not help.
* Heat syncope refers to sudden dizziness that can occur especially if you are taking certain heart medications. Putting your feet up or resting in a cool place can help the dizziness to subside.
* Heat exhaustion can cause a person to feel thirsty, dizzy, weak, uncoordinated, or nauseated. Increased sweating and cold, clammy skin are signs that your body is having trouble keeping cool. It is very important to find a cool place and drink fluids or heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke.
* Heat stroke can cause fainting, body temperature over 104 degrees F, confusion, grouchy or strange behavior, dry flushed skin and abnormal pulse, inability to sweat, and feeling delirious. This is an emergency and people should seek immediate medical attention and a cool place.
What to do
If you think that you are becoming overheated, be sure to know where to seek immediate medical attention. Here are some tips for what to do if you think you may have hyperthermia:
* Get out of the sun and into a cool place (air conditioning is the best)
* Drink more fluids that do not contain caffeine or alcohol
* Shower or bathe in cool water
* Lie down and rest
* Always call 9-1-1 if you are experiencing serious symptoms of overheating
Risk Factors
People who are more prone to hyperthermia include those with:
* Heart or blood vessel problems, poorly working sweat glands, or changes in skin due to aging
* Heart, lung, or kidney disease or illnesses that make you weak or feverish
* High blood pressure
* Conditions that are treated by diuretics, sedatives, tranquilizers, and heart and blood pressure medications
* taking multiple medications
* Being overweight or underweight
* Drinking alcoholic beverages
Prevention
* Drink plenty of fluids (at least eight glasses of water) and avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine.
* If you do not have fans or air conditioning, open windows at night on two sides of the building to create cross-ventilation; cover windows that are in direct sunlight; keep curtains or shades drawn during the middle of the day; or try to spend at least 2 hours a day in a public place with air conditioning (mall, movie theater, friend's house).
* See if there is local agency that provides senior citizens with wall air conditioning units
* If you need financial assistance with bills to pay for air conditioning, contact local agencies or senior centers that may know of programs that can provide assistance to senior citizens. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program can provide help (LIHEAP).
* Ask a friend to drive you to a cool place or find out about transportation services provided by local organizations. Do not wait for a bus in hot weather
* Pay attention to weather reports. You are more at risk when there are more humidity and pollution alerts.
* Dress appropriately for hot weather by wearing natural fabrics like cotton.
* Do not exercise or do lots of strenuous activities in hot temperatures.
* Avoid hot, crowed places.
Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Crumrine