Are You Prepared for the Summer Heat?

With temps rising, make sure you know how to stay cool and healthy

Being prepared for rising summer temperatures should be a priority for Denver nursing homes this season. 

Although June 21 is the official first day of summer, temperatures have been rising around many areas of the country for weeks now. A record-setting heat wave in Arizona, California and Nevada even grounded airplanes in the region, and several weather-related deaths have already been reported.  

Heat is the number one cause of weather-related direct fatalities, according to the National Weather Service, and more than 600 people die from complications related to extreme heat every year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports. People over the age of 65, those living alone and people with chronic medical conditions are particularly at risk.

Heat exhaustion vs. heatstroke

Heat exhaustion, which occurs when the body overheats, is the precursor to heatstroke. Symptoms include muscle cramps, headaches, and nausea or vomiting. When heat exhaustion is not treated, the person becomes at risk for heatstroke, which, without emergency assistance, can lead to death.

You are in heatstroke if your body temp rises to 104 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, which can cause damage to the brain, heart, kidneys and muscles. Symptoms include altered mental state and behavior, nausea and vomiting, flushed skin, rapid breathing and racing heart rate, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Elevated risk factors

People with chronic medical conditions are at elevated risk for heat exhaustion, according to the CDC. They may be less likely to sense and respond to changes in temperature and could be taking medications that worsen the impact of extreme heat. 

Outdoor workers or those in high-temperature indoor areas are also at increased risk. These include firefighters, bakery workers, farmers, construction workers, miners, boiler room workers and factory workers. At even greater risk are workers who are 65 or older, are overweight, have heart disease or high blood pressure, or take certain medications, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

The NIOSH website offers resources for workers, including its heat-safety-tool app, for planning outdoor work activities based on how hot it feels throughout the day.

Read the original article here: Summer Heat Warning Signs - Heatstroke, Heat Exhaustion - AARP http://bit.ly/2soFkUq

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