Extreme heat is an important weather hazard associated with high morbidity and mortality. While most of us look forward to the warmer weather and participating in outdoor activities but summer is not always favorable to older adults. Prolonged exposure to excessive heat in summer months can be dangerous. Older people can have a tough time dealing with heat and humidity. Hundreds of people die each year from heat-related illnesses all over the world. The majority of deaths are adults over age 65, especially those who live alone, those without access to air conditioning and those with underlying health problems.
Every summer, more than 600 Americans die of health problems caused by excessive heat and humidity. Recall that some 750 people mostly seniors died in Chicago during an extreme heat wave in 1995. In 2003, a major European heat wave killed over 72,000 people and in 2010, another heat wave led to more than 55,000 deaths in Russia. Record heat waves in June and July caused the deaths of 1,400 people in France in 2019. The UN agency recorded major weather-related catastrophes during the first two decades of the 21st century. And the most notable among these were the May and June heat waves of 2015 in India and Pakistan which resulted in 2,248 and 1,229 deaths, respectively. Hospitalizations for heat-related illness also increase with age, especially for those 85 and older.
Too much heat can be dangerous at any age, but as the people get older, their body has an even harder time dealing with extreme heat. Physiologically, as we age our bodies lose some natural ability to regulate temperature, making older adults more susceptible to temperature changes in the environment. One such change is that the subcutaneous layer of fat beneath the skin, which acts as natural insulation to heat and cold, dwindles. Also because older people perspire less, it's harder for them to keep cool which also increases their risk of becoming overheated.
In hot weather, a person may pump up to 20 times more blood to the skin than in cold weather, but older people run into trouble. Older adults don’t pump as much blood to the skin, but the left ventricle is still trying to contract very forcefully. So in some older individuals who had had a heart attack, or who just have a weak left ventricle, all of a sudden they’re putting much more stress on the heart. Heat stress results in cardiovascular strain.
Older adults are especially vulnerable to developing dehydration and other heat related illnesses. Dehydration simply means that the body does not have enough water. It can be serious if not treated. Elderly persons are at higher risk of dehydration because as we grow older our bodies have less ability to hold on to water and to feel thirsty.
In extreme heat, the body must work extra hard to maintain a healthy temperature. Older adults are at higher risk for heat exhaustion, heat stroke, sun burns and other serious health issues due to poorer circulation and less effective sweating that comes with aging. Medical conditions like
Heart disease and side effects from various medications can compound these risks.
More serious is Heat Exhaustion, which can develop quickly in older adults. Symptoms include
Excessive sweating, dizziness, nausea, muscle cramps, weaker pulse and weakness. Heat Exhaustion can turn into Heat Stroke. This takes place when one heats to an internal temperature of or above 104-F. Symptoms of Heat Stroke include red skin, slurred speech, vomiting, rapid breathing, fast heart rate and headache. For such conditions it’s important to get the sick person out of the heat immediately. Move him to the shade if he is out in the sun or preferably take him inside. Take off any extra layers of clothes to help him cool faster and ask him to drink as much water as he can, or hydrating sports drink that contains electrolytes. Heat stroke can be life-threatening condition which requires immediate medical attention.
Getting sun burned is a painful experience and can become extremely dangerous if it's bad enough. Severe sunburn can peel, blister and cause fevers. To prevent sunburn one need to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF (Sun protection Factor). This should be applied at least 20 to 30 minutes before going outside. Generally, sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours, when outside especially after swimming or sweating.
Air conditioning is essential in summer. Spend as much time as possible in air-conditioned spaces. If you don’t have an air conditioner, one can use alternate of air conditioner like Ceiling fans, Evaporative air coolers, Portable air conditioners, etc., to keep the houses cooler.
Globally the number of older persons is growing faster than the number of people in all young age groups. The global population aged 80 years and over is projected to triple between 2017 and 2050. Finding ways to help improve the health of this older population, especially during heat wave can save the lives.