Heat Waves: How To Protect Yourself From The Heat

Millions of Americans have been sweltering under a severe heat wave that has stretched from the Pacific Northwest down to the Southern states and over to the Northeast. This summer’s record-breaking temperatures are placing residents at risk for heat-related illnesses and even death.

According to the National Centers for Environmental Information, last year was the hottest year on record. Some experts predict that 2024 will earn that title. Oppressively hot weather, along with humidity, pose great risks to all Americans, but especially to older adults with chronic health conditions who take medications that interfere with the body’s ability to regulate its temperature.

Older adults or their caregivers may not realize that their medications can cause problems in extreme heat. For instance, statin, cholesterol medicines, antibiotics, and diabetes medications can make your skin sensitive to the sun. So, health experts say this is an excellent time to ask your doctor about your medication.

“To avoid these problems, health professionals need to be aware of what medications put older people at risk and educate them and their caregivers,” Dr. Cecilia Sorensen, director of the Global Consortium on Climate Health and Education at Columbia University in New York City, told AARP.

Medications That Affect Body Temperature

Sweating is one way the body cools itself down. As the sweat evaporates, the skin’s surface cools down. However, some medications inhibit sweating, which, in turn, increases body temperature and the likelihood of heat-related illnesses. Some of these medications include:

Anticholinergics.

• Antidepressants. Antidepressants, like Cymbalta and Effexor XR, which are SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), like Elavil, treat depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other mental health conditions. SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) like Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft can also cause the body’s temperature to rise.

• Antihistamines. Antihistamines, like Benadryl, treat seasonal allergies and common cold symptoms. Other antihistamines, like Dramamine and Bonine, used to treat motion sickness, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.

• Dopaminergics. Dopaminergic drugs stimulate activity in parts of the brain influenced by dopamine. Drugs like Sinemet, which is used to treat Parkinson’s disease, can cause excessive sweating.

• Stimulant medications. Medication used to treat ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), such as Ritalin and Adderall, not only raise body temperature but can increase blood pressure and heart rate as well.

In addition to sweating, the body also cools itself down when blood vessels underneath the skin widen and bring warm blood closer to the skin, allowing the skin to release heat. Some medicines, however, reduce blood flow to the skin, preventing heat from escaping the body.

Among the medications that can affect blood flow are:

Heart medications. Heart medications treat conditions such as high blood pressure and tachycardia and help prevent blood clots. However, these drugs can make the heart work harder to cool the body down. Beta blockers, for instance, lower blood pressure and slow down the heart. But, this makes it harder for the heart to pump blood fast enough to the skin’s surface so that the body can sweat and cool down.

Decongestants. Decongestants, like Sudafed and Zicam, are used to relieve symptoms of colds, flu, and allergies.

Diuretics. Diuretics, also known as water pills, help reduce the heart’s workload by removing excess water and salt in the body. The medication is also used to help lower blood pressure. Diuretics, however, increase urination, which places people at risk for dehydration. Dehydration can also cause the body’s temperature and heart rate to rise.

Staying Safe in Hot Weather

Dave Kent, a retired librarian, told AARP that cardiac medications and exercise are part of his treatment plans for a heart attack he suffered more than ten years ago. So, when it’s hot, he checks the forecast and goes out during the cooler times of the day to avoid the side effects of his medications.

“I think having an active lifestyle and maintaining a healthy diet are the keys to dealing with whatever Mother Nature throws at us,” Kent said.

With the heat wave continuing to impact cities across the country, it’s important for older adults to protect themselves—and their medications.
If your medication makes your skin sensitive to the sun, AARP recommends talking to your doctor rather than stop taking your medication.

AARP further suggests making sure you store your medications properly. For example, insulin can become less effective if left in the heat.
While taking care of your medication, there are ways to take care of yourself as well:

• Avoid going outside as much as possible. Schedule appointments, run errands, or exercise in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler.

• Protect Your Body From the Sun. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), wear loose, light-colored, lightweight clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses. This type of clothing helps to protect you from sunburn, which affects your body’s ability to cool down and causes dehydration.

• Wear Sunscreen. To avoid sunburn, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes before going outside. Sunscreen also helps regulate body temperature.

• Find air conditioning. If your home does not have air conditioning, FEMA recommends going to a building with air conditioning, such as a shopping mall or public library. Some cities set up “cooling centers” for residents who do not have air conditioning. “Even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat,” FEMA says.

• Keep Your House Cool. Even if you do not have access to air conditioning, you can still keep your house cool. One way to do this is to block out sunlight by using blackout curtains or shades that go up and down. You can also plant trees, shrubs, or plants that provide shade and absorb sunlight.

• Use fans. You can blow air directly on yourself or set up fans to draw in cooler air from the outside (or a cooler part of the house) to the warm areas.

Recognize the signs of heat-related ilnesses

There are different types of heat-related illnesses, but some share common symptoms, such as:

• Heavy sweating
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Fainting
• Fast or slow pulse

A heat stroke is the most severe illness because it can lead to death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms include:

To cool a person down, place cold, wet clothes on the person’s skin put the person in an ice bath, or soak the person’s clothing with cool water.

If you, or someone you know, are affected by the heat, seek medical attention immediately.

FEMA offers another essential tip: Before you make plans, check your local forecast to see if an excessive heat advisory or excessive heat warning has been issued.

Source Links:

https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2023/medications-heat-intolerance.html
https://time.com/6986082/how-to-protect-yourself-during-a-heat-wave/
https://www.noaa.gov/news/2023-was-worlds-warmest-year-on-record-by-far#
https://www.fema.gov/blog/9-ways-stay-cool-extreme-heat
https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2022/07/common-medications-may-increase-the-dangers-of-heat-waves/

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