When the weather starts warming up\u2014as it is in much of the United States right now\u2014the body uses a variety of clever strategies to cool down. Sweat glands work overtime, sending more sweat to the surface of the skin where it evaporates and cools the body. Muscles relax so more heat-carrying blood flows to the skin where that heat can escape into the air. Even tiny body hairs get involved. They flatten themselves so surrounding air can more easily circulate over the skin and allow more heat to escape.<\/p>\n
However, as we get older, age-related changes in our bodies lessen our ability to use these important cooling strategies. And this increases our risks of dangerous heat-related health problems such as heat stroke\u2014a potentially life-threatening increase in the body\u2019s internal temperature. Age-related changes also makes it harder for the body to tell when it\u2019s getting dangerously dehydrated\u2014or \u201cdried out\u201d\u2014and needs water right away. In addition to age, medical conditions such as heart disease and diabetes can boost older people\u2019s risks of heat-related medical problems. Some medications can also affect how you feel in the heat.\u00a0 Heat-related medical problems can be very serious. An estimated 200 older Americans die of heat-related health complications each year.<\/p>\n
And that simply shouldn\u2019t happen. With some simple precautions, older adults can avoid heat- related dangers. There are several tips from the experts in this new, easy-to-understand \u201ctip sheet\u201d for staying safe when it\u2019s just too darn hot. \u00a0You can find the new tip sheet, Hot Weather Safety Tips for Older Adults<\/span><\/strong>,\u00a0here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Older adults and their caregivers need to be especially careful when the temperature reaches 90\u00b0F and keep an eye out for signs of heat-related problems.\u00a0 The Health in Aging team hope you\u2019ll share these tips with older friends and neighbors as well, and that this important information will make the livin\u2019 easier, even as the mercury rises this summer.<\/p>\n How do you plan to stay cool this summer?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" When the weather starts warming up\u2014as it is in much of the United States right now\u2014the body uses a variety of clever strategies to cool down. Sweat glands work overtime, sending more sweat to the surface of the skin where … Continue reading