While people of all ages should take steps to protect themselves from the sun, older people may need to take additional precautions.  Hyperthermia is an abnormally high body temperature caused by a failure of the heat-regulating mechanisms of the body to deal with the heat coming from the environment. Heat fatigue, heat syncope (sudden dizziness after prolonged exposure to the heat), heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke are common forms of hyperthermia. The National Institutes of Health states that the risk for these conditions can increase with the combination of outside temperature, general health and individual lifestyle.

Every summer, nearly 200 Americans die of health problems caused by high heat and humidity. Most of these individuals happen to be age 50 or older, according to healthinaging.org.  As we age, we gradually lose our sense of thirst, the ability to perspire, and our ability to regulate our body temperature. We may feel tired and sluggish rather than thirsty, so we opt for a nap instead of the tall glass of water.  Consider that your body is telling you something.  Get a glass of water.  It could change your whole day. 

The Centers for Disease Control recommends adults drink almost two liters of water a day — that is about eight 8-ounce glasses. The Institute of Medicine recommends adults drink 3.7 liters of water a day (or roughly 15 eight-ounce glasses daily).  Most doctors recommend drinking eight or nine glasses of water a day. If you have a chronic medical condition, such as congestive heart failure, talk to your doctor first about how much fluid you require.  Medications taken for a variety of diseases and symptoms can interfere with one’s ability to manage hotter weather.

When the temperature climbs around 90 degrees Fahrenheit, older adults need to be proactive and take precautions.  Here are some general tips.

• Stay hydrated – Drink plenty of cool water. 

• Dress appropriately – Try wearing loose-fitting, light-colored clothes, and top it off with a broad-brimmed hat or use an umbrella to block the sun.  Take a jacket to wear in buildings that seem to be colder than normal.

• Use air conditioning: Keep the air conditioning on or below 80 degrees F.  If you do not have air conditioning, go to the library or local senior center to rest and relax.  Keep the shades pulled on all windows in direct sunlight.

• Avoid direct sunlight – Stay indoors during the hottest hours, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and adjust when you need to work or go outside.  Check the news for information about temperatures, humidity levels and air pollution alerts.

• Use sunscreen – use broad-spectrum sunscreen with sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher.

• Cool Down – take tepid showers or baths when you are feeling warm.

• Monitor medications: Ask your doctor and/or pharmacist if your medications increase your risk for heat stress. Be sure to ask a physician about all the medications that you are taking, including over the counter items.

And remember — if you suspect a heat-related illness, call 911 or summon medical personnel immediately.  Following a heat-related illness, a person will likely feel tired and weak for several days. Continued monitoring is important.

For more information on nutrition contact any of these nutrition specialists in southwest Missouri: Dr. Pam Duitsman in Greene County at (417) 881-8909; Lindsey Gordon Stevenson in Barton County at (417) 682-3579; Stephanie Johnson in Howell County at (417) 256-2391 or Mary Sebade in Dallas County at (417) 345-7551. The regional office of the Family Nutrition Education Program is located in Springfield and can be reached at (417) 886-2059. Nutrition information is also available online http://extension.missouri.edu.