Whitehall-Coplay Press

Monday, May 27, 2019

Healthy Geezer: Stay cool outdoors

Thursday, January 10, 2019 by FRED CICETTI Special to The Press in Focus

Q. I’m 74 and I don’t seem to be able to endure hot weather the way I used to when I was younger. Is this a common experience as we age?

Yes. I don’t play golf when it’s more than 90 degrees Fahrenheit because it makes me a bit woozy even if I drink a lot of water and seek out the shade. My reaction to heat is caused by blood pressure drugs that I take, my advanced age, and some extra pounds I’m struggling to lose.

Too much heat can make you sick. Heat-related conditions come under the heading, “hyperthermia,” which means “high heat.”

The following are some of the maladies caused by excessive heat:

Stroke: Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. This is an emergency condition. You must seek medical assistance immediately. Many victims of heat stroke die from it. Most are over 50 years old.


The symptoms of heat stroke are a body temperature above 103°F; red, hot, and dry skin with no sign of sweat; rapid, strong pulse; throbbing headache; dizziness; nausea, and exhaustion.

Exhaustion: If you become exhausted on a hot day, your body is telling you that it can’t maintain its cool. Symptoms of heat exhaustion are heavy sweating, thirst, dizziness, weakness, lack of coordination, and nausea. Resting in a cool place, drinking plenty of fluids, and getting medical care should help.


Edema: Your ankles and feet can become swollen when it’s hot. To combat heat edema, raise your legs on a foot stool. If this doesn’t give you immediate relief, see your doctor.

Syncope: You can become dizzy when you are active in the heat. Those of us who take a beta blocker and diuretics for high blood pressure are especially prone to heat syncope. Raise your legs and rest somewhere cool.


Seniors don’t adjust as well as they did to sudden temperature changes. They may have a medical condition that changes normal body responses to heat. And they are more likely to take prescription medicines that impair the body’s ability to regulate its temperature or that inhibit perspiration.

You can prevent heat problems by following these tips: drink cool (non-alcoholic) beverages, rest, don’t exert yourself outdoors, get into a cool shower or pool, try to find an air-conditioned environment, and wear lightweight clothes.
