Cumberland County Aging & Community Services issued a warning today that the extended high heat expected for the remainder of this week can cause severe illness and even death. Older adults, the very young, and those with medical conditions such as obesity, diabetes and chronic heart and lung disease are the most vulnerable and should take extra precautions.
The agency offers these tips for staying healthy during a heat wave
• avoid long periods in the sun
• avoid strenuous activities
• drink plenty of fluid, but avoid alcohol and caffeine
• wear lightweight, light colored, loose clothing
• call for help if you need it
People who have access to at least three hours of air-conditioning a day are less likely to suffer from heat related illness. If you do not have air-conditioning, plan to spend part of the afternoon hours at a nearby air-conditioned restaurant, library, shopping mall, movie theater or senior center.
Also, watch for dangerous signs of heat overexposure, such as:
• Dehydration: Extreme water loss reduces the body's ability to cool down and can lead to weakness, headache, muscle cramps, dizziness, confusion and passing out.
• Heat cramps: Muscle cramps, usually in the stomach or the legs, are the result of over-exercising in the heat and losing too much water and salt from heavy sweating.
• Heat exhaustion: Marked by either heavy sweating or no sweating, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, paleness, cold or clammy skin, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting and fainting; body temperature may be normal.
• Heat stroke: A life-threatening emergency (also known as sun stroke) that involves a body temperature of or above 103 degrees; red, hot and dry skin; a fast pulse; headache, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, confusion, and passing out.
Neighbors, friends and family can be of great assistance by checking on older people who live alone especially those with medical conditions such as obesity, diabetes and chronic heart and lung disease. Check on those even if they have working air-conditioning as often older people do not feel the effects of the heat and choose not to use it.