Elderly and Heat Illness – Why Seniors are More Prone To It

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Elderly and Heat Illness Why Seniors are More
Prone To It
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During the summer season, it is paramount to stay
hydrated, particularly at the time of heat wave.
There is a simple reason for staying hydrated is
that dehydration eliminates the ability to
regulate body temperature, and thus, dramatically
increases the risks of developing heat
illness. According to home care Tucson
professionals, heat illness is one of the major
concerns among older adults, because they are
more prone to summer heat. Severe heat illness
can sometimes risk longevity, therefore, it is
considered extremely harmful.
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Causes of Heat Illness in Seniors
In senior years, the body becomes less efficient
at regulating body temperature due to some
significant reasons. Older adults, over 65 years
of age, dont sweat as much as young adults,
which is one of the most important heat
regulation mechanisms of the body. Seniors store
fat differently than young adults, which also
contributes to the increasing complication with
the heat regulation in the body. Heat illness is
a serious condition, as the temperature of the
atmosphere rises, the temperature of the internal
body does as well, especially when seniors are
directly exposed to the sun or an exceedingly hot
environment. This is the reason older adults
undergo heat illness more often than young adults
during summer.
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There are a number of health and lifestyle
aspects that contribute to the increasing risk of
developing heat related illness, including

• Dehydration
• Chronic health conditions, like kidney and
  heart diseases
• or blood circulation issues
• Salt restricted diets
• Medications that reduce the amount of sweat
• Overdressing
• Lacking airflow or access to air conditioning
• Living in hotter climates

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Symptoms of Heat Illness in Seniors
The early warning signs of heat exhaustion, which
may progress toward being a more serious heat
stroke involving tiredness, excessive sweating,
weakness, headache, dizziness, and muscle cramps.
The manifestations progress to nausea and
fainting. It becomes alarming when the affected
senior stops sweating. The whole body gets
dehydrated and due to the lacking presence of
water in the body, the body stops sweating. Heat
stroke occurs when the temperature of the
internal body rises much faster than it is
naturally lowered. Seek immediate medical
assistance if you senior loved one has got a heat
stroke.
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• Giving first aid is very important if you are
  awaiting medical help for your loved one. Have
  them lie down in a cool place and place a fan
  directly on them. Then
• Turn on air conditioning
• Offer cool fluids
• Offer access to a cool bath (or if they are
  unable to walk to
• the bathroom, take a damp cloth and put it on
  their head,
• palm of the hands, and feet) to lower the body
  temperature

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Significance of Preventing Dehydration
When we feel thirsty, our body is just 2 percent
dehydrated and the ability of heat regulation
starts to decline. In case of older adults, who
typically struggle to manage internal heat,
dehydration can progressively deter the natural
cooling system of the body. Home care Tucson
professionals suggest seniors to drink plenty of
water and cool fluids frequently and take a bath
every day or as needed according to the
temperature. They should eliminate the intake of
alcoholic beverages as it furthers dehydration.
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