In France in 2003 is was reported that a heat wave caused over 11,000 deaths mainly amongst the elderly. People should not under estimate the effect hot weather can have, the average death rate per annum is around 450 in the USA and around 250 in the UK. These deaths are generally avoidable with the right precautions and mainly effect the elderly. There is no statistics on the number of people that get ill from over exposure to the sun without it becoming fatal, but I am sure we are all aware of many people that have got ill from the effects of heat.
With the warm summer weather fast approaching many of us choose to spend lots of time outdoors, enjoying the sunshine. Others may choose to travel abroad and enjoy a warmer climate. However it is important to stay safe when out and about in the heat, particularly for the elderly. This is because the elderly can be at a greater risk of developing heat related illnesses such as: heat stroke, dehydration and heat exhaustion.
Why are the elderly at a greater risk?
The elderly are at greater risk of developing heat stress in comparison to younger people for a number of reasons. This is because the elderly do not adjust as well to changes in the temperature as younger individuals. If an elderly individual has a chronic medical condition, it can upset the body’s normal responses to heat, making it difficult for the elderly to regulate temperature effectively. Medications can also have an impact on an individual’s ability to regulate temperature effectively as some medications can inhibit the ability to perspire.
Signs and Symptoms
There are a number of signs and symptoms that could be an indicator that an individual is struggling to cope with the heat.
Signs and symptoms of heat stroke include: an extremely high body temperature, hot and dry skin, lack of perspiration, rapid strong pulse, throbbing headache, dizziness, and nausea. Heat stroke is the most serious heat related illness. This occurs when the body’s ability to regulate its own temperature is lost. This leads to the body becoming unable to sweat, leaving the individual unable to cool down. Heat stoke can cause the body temperature to escalate to 106 degrees Fahrenheit (41.1 degrees Centigrade) within 10 to 15 minutes. In cases of heat stroke it is essential that medical attention is sought.
Heat exhaustion is a milder form of a heat related illnesses, and this can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures, and an inadequate replacement of fluid. The signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion include: heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, weakness, tiredness, dizziness, headache, nausea and vomiting, breathlessness (fast or shallow breathing), variations in pulse rate, fainting, and skin may feel cool and moist to the touch.
What can be done to help?
If you suspect that either you or someone you know may be suffering from a heat related illness there are some steps that can be undertaken both to relieve the symptoms and to prevent the condition altogether. Visiting older individuals on a regular basis monitoring them for signs and symptoms of heat related illnesses can be the first step in preventing a condition from developing. Making sure that they have access to electric fans or air conditioned locations where possible can also prevent the onset of heat related illnesses.
If an individual is suffering from a heat related illness such as heat exhaustion there are a number of things that can be done to help to prevent it from becoming an emergency situation. These include: cooling the individual rapidly in whatever way you can, getting the individual into a shady area, monitoring an individual’s body temperature, and using cooling methods until their temperature reaches 101-102 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 to 38.9 degrees Centigrade), and seek medical attention if you feel that it is required.
There are a number of ways that heat related illnesses can be prevented and these include: drinking plenty of fluids (non-alcoholic and non-caffeinated), having plenty of rest, taking cool showers or baths, sitting in air conditioned areas where possible, wearing lightweight clothing, keeping warm areas well ventilated, remaining indoor during the heat of the day, not partaking in strenuous activities, and using sun blocks and sunscreens with a high SPF factor when out and about in direct sunlight.
It is important that the elderly stay cool in warmer weather because they body’s aren’t as well adapted for dealing with changes in temperature in comparison to younger people, increasing their chances of becoming ill. By using preventive methods such as keeping the individual cool, can keep elderly individual’s healthy, and this in turn can help them to maintain independence for as long as possible. Preventing heat related illness s also extremely important because these conditions can increase the likelihood of falls, which in turn can cause a number of problems such as decreased mobility, which may lead to loss of independence.