Top Summer Health Risks for Seniors

Here are the "Top Summer Health Risks For Seniors." Even though these health risks can affect anyone, seniors are more susceptible to them.

So they are the ones who have pay considerable attention to outside activities they participate in during the hot summer months.

Don't give up your summer! Being elderly doesn't mean you can't enjoy yourself, it just means you need to learn how to be aware of these senior summer health risks, so that you can be prepared when you venture outside in 100 degree temperatures.

Insect Bites

Insects are always around, regardless if it's summer or winter, but we generally become more aware of them during the summer months, because that's when we spend a lot of time outdoors.

This is a summer health risks for seniors that you particularly need to be aware of. Sometimes those pesky insect bites can lead to more serious conditions, like allergic reactions or sores.

How To Avoid:

There are a lot of items on market today that can be used for insect protection. Today, any product that contains DEET is recommended, because it is more effective, it's easy to use, smells pleasant and feels okay on your skin.

For the elderly, this should also be combined with a long sleeve, light weight shirt, long pants and probably a hat. This way, the repellent can be applied directly onto the clothing.

You may also consider not wearing any cologne or perfume or scented lotions, be careful of odors at any outdoor gatherings where there is food, or garbage, don't wear bright colored clothing outside and get rid of wasp, bee and hornets nest. Also keep all outside containers drained of water.

Insect Bite Symptoms:

• Red Swollen Itchy Skin • Painful Rash • Swelling • A Rash or Swelling (Gets Worse Not Better) • Headache
• Dizziness • Nausea • Chest Pains • Choking or Wheezing • Difficulty Breathing

Insect Bites Treatment:

If you are unfortunate enough to be stung by a bee, wasp or hornet - immediately after you've been stung - remove the stinger by using tweezers to prise or scrape it out of your skin. Please don't press it, if you do, you will be pressing the poison into the skin.

Clean the area with an anti-bacterial soap and some water, then cool the area with an ice pack or an ice cube. Then apply an antihistamine cream or gel for the pain and swelling.

If you are allergic to the bite, or you develop a rash and swelling that doesn't go away, the best solution is to have
someone take you immediately to the hospital.

Allergies

Everyone wants to be outside during the summer months, but it's also one of the seasons to look out for mold, dust, ragweed, smog or pollen.

These pollutants can cause allergies in the healthiest of us, but this is a summer health risks for seniors that could lead to other ailments, especially those suffering from upper respiratory conditions.

How To Avoid:

One way to avoid inside allergens is to replace your carpet with hardwood flooring, then it doesn't take much effort to control the dust and dust mites.

But those of you who also like to venture outside during the summer months, it's going to take a little more effort on your part. You will need to monitor the pollen count in your area, when you go out, keep your car's air conditioning running and the windows up.

Don't hang your clothes outside during days of high pollen count, and if you must go out... when you come back in, take a bath and wash from the top of your head to the bottom of your feet, and don't forget to clean your nose.

Allergy Symptoms:

• Allergic rhinitis • Nasal discharge • Chronic Sinus Infection • Sneezing • Dry eyes • Itching, Burning Eye
• Pink Eye • Welts • Hives

Allergy Treatment:

There are a lot of over-the-counter drugs that can be taken for this. Antihistamines are best, because they work directly on what is causing the allergic reaction, and they also contain a decongestant.

Dehydration

There is no age limit when it comes to dehydration, but it can be more of a summer health risk for seniors who have weakened immune systems.

Dehydration happens when the body loses too much fluid, and usually the body re-absorbs fluid from the blood and other body tissues. But when it comes to severe dehydration, your body doesn't have enough fluid to get blood to the organs, and you could possibly go into shock.

How To Avoid:

To avoid dehydration, start drinking water when you get up in the mornings. It is imperative that you drink more than 8 glasses of water a day, if you live where temperatures can get up to one hundred plus.

More so if you're doing any type of sports or you have a stressful lifestyle. If you don't have enough fluid in your body to produce sweat, then your body can't cool itself down.

Dehydration Symptoms:

• Dry Mouth and Dry Lips • Dark Urine • Sunken Eyes • Cramps • Flushed Skin • Headache • Fatigue
• Hot Red Moist Skin • Confusion • Dizziness profuse sweating • Rapid and Weak Pulse • Nausea • Vomiting
• Loss of Concentration • Moodiness

Dehydration Treatment:

This will depend on your age and how severe the dehydration is, but normally it is treated by replacing lost fluids and lost electrolytes. If it's moderate of really severe, then intravenous fluids and hospitalization may be necessary.

Sunburn

Sunburn is the result of spending too long in the sun and being exposed to UV rays. Unless you never go outside, you are almost guaranteed to become sunburned at some time in your life.

Sunburn on its own generally causes a bad case of discomfort for the unfortunate individual. It's not fatal, but the results of constant exposure can lead to other medical complications. Like skin cancer.

How To Avoid:

always cover your entire body with 30 SPF sunscreen. Some say you should not use anything higher because it doesn't work as well. Depending on your skin type, you may also want to wear a long sleeve, light cotton shirt, sunglasses and a hat that protects your face and neck.

Sunburn Symptoms:

• Painful Reddened Skin • Peeling • Itching • Swelling • Blisters • Fever • Chills • Weakness
• On Rare Occasions Shock

Sunburn Treatment:

To stop the pain and the heat of your skin, try taking a cool shower, then moisturize your skin with a topical moisturizing cream, aloe, or 1 percent hydrocortisone cream. This helps reduce swelling. To get rid of the pain, you can take aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen.

Always remain in the shade. Avoid sun exposer on your sunburned skin as much as possible.

Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion happens when your body can't keep itself cool and it gets too hot. When the air temperature rises, your body is suppose to stay cool from your sweat evaporating.

But when it's hot and humid, the increased moisture in the air causes your sweat to evaporate really slow. When you don't sweat enough to cool down, your body temperature rises, causing you to become ill.

How To Avoid:

To prevent this health risk, just stay out of the sun and drink more water. Avoid salt tablets, alcohol, caffeine and smoking. Wear a hat and light colored cotton clothes. Also take an umbrella, sunglasses and stay in the shade as much as possible.

Heat Exhaustion Symptoms:

• Weak or Tired, Possibly Giddy • Flushed Pale Clammy Skin • Normal or Slightly Higher Body Temperature
• Nausea • Sweaty

Heat Exhaustion Treatment:

If you think you have heat exhaustion, get out of the heat, rest in a cool, shady place. Drink plenty of water or Gatorade. Do not drink alcohol, colas, iced tea or coffee. If you don't feel better in 30 minutes, contact your doctor. If left untreated, heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke.

Heat cramps

Heat cramps can be very painful. They are muscle spasms that you have no control over, and generally occur during excessive exercising in hot environments. Like playing tennis, jogging or maybe even walking.

The cramps appear to last longer and have more intensity than the leg cramps you get at night. This is caused by the improper intake of fluids.

Heat cramps can affect any muscle in your body, but the muscles that are affected the most are your arms and calves, and the abdominal wall and back.

How To Avoid:

You can avoid heat cramps by not exercising when it is extremely hot outside, and by drinking electrolyte solutions such as Sports drinks during the day or by eating more fruits like bananas.

Heat Cramps Symptoms:

• Cramping Spasms of Muscles • Painful Cramping • Brief Cramping • Involuntary Cramping
• Usually Go Away on Their Own • Intermittent Cramping

Heat Cramps Treatment:

Try to do a stretching exercise that involves all the muscles that are be affected. Drink a sports drink that contains
electrolytes, rest briefly, then cool down. If you still have them after an hour, you may need IV fluid re-hydration, so call your physician.

Heat Rash

A heat rash, which is also called prickly heat, can occur in any hot and humid environment, where your sweat doesn't evaporate very easily.

When your excess perspiration can't reach the surface of your skin, small bumps form which causes raised and irritated skin. Sweat is released when the bumps burst and it is this which causes the prickly, burning feeling.

How To Avoid:

A heat rash can be avoided by resting in a cool place and allowing the skin to dry out. You should take cool showers or baths, and wear loose-fitting cotton clothing. Something that absorbs moisture, keep you cool and breaths.

Heat Rash Symptoms:

• Prickly Sensation • Itching • Rash of Small Pink or Red Bumps • Irritation

Heat Rash Treatment:

Take cool showers and keep the rash dry. Avoid any oil-based products, most lotions or creams. However, you can use calamine lotion for the itching and any medicated powder for prickly heat.

If the rash doesn't heal, call your physician. The heat and humidly can sometimes cause a rash to develop bacterial or fungus infections.

Heat Syncope (Fainting)

A person faints when the body cannot cool itself by increasing blood flow to the skin, where the heat is then released into the environment.

When there is a shift in the blood flow - that reduces the amount of blood flowing to your brain - it will stop functioning. And it is this that causes you to faint.

How To Avoid:

Standing still in a hot place came cause you to feel faint. Try to get cooled off as soon as you can. Walking around is better than standing still. You should have water with you and try to avoid direct sunlight.

Heat Syncope Symptoms:

• Brief Loss of Consciousness • Excessive Thirst • Dizziness • Sweaty Skin, Normal Body Temperature
• Excessive sweating • No Signs of Heat Stroke or Heat Exhaustion • Dry Mouth • Fatigue • Headache • Nausea

Heat Syncope Treatment:

Unless there is another cause for you fainting, there not much to be concerned about. Just lie down or sit in a cool place as soon as you feel faint. Slowly drink a glass of cool water or a sports drink.

Heat Edema

Swelling in the legs and hands is a common occurrence during the heat of summer and it happens when you sit or stand for a long time in an environment that is hot.

Heat causes your blood vessels to dilate, and gravity causes your body fluid to move into your hands or legs. Increased salt in your body can also cause heat edema, by drawing fluid into your hands and legs.

If a person isn't use to hot weather, then there may be some swelling. You may also see it in the elderly who have other medical conditions that affect their circulation.

How To Avoid:

Avoid foods high in salt. Eat food that has low carbohydrate. Why? Because carbohydrate has more water. You may also want to avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. Another preventive measure is getting your body use to the heat steadily over time.

Heat Edema Symptoms:

• Swelling of Feet, Ankles and Hands

Heat Edema Treatment:

Get out of the heat and move to a cool, shady place. Drink cold water and elevate your legs. Once you cool off, your symptoms should improve.

Heat stroke

One of the most important summer health risks for seniors is heat stroke. But you need to be aware that most people who die each year from heat stroke, don't die from over-exertion, but that certain people can die in hot weather, just from sitting still.

When the body's temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, the body is unable to cool down, it is unable to regulate its temperature, and a heat stroke occurs.

How To Avoid:

You don't want to stay couped up in the house all summer, and besides, getting outside is good. But if you're at higher risk than most - of developing problems from the heat - you just need to take more precautions. Remember, getting out of the heat sooner is the key.

Don't go outside during the hottest part of the day, and stay where it's cool. Drink lots of water and avoid all caffeine and alcohol.

Dress in loose cotton clothes, and watch the weather report for your area before venturing outside. It can get extremely hot and humid during the summer.

Heat Stroke Symptoms:

• Mental Confusion • Delirium • Fainting • Seizures • Body Temperature of 106ºF or Higher • No Sweating
• Agitation • Skin a Red or Bluish Color • Hot Red or Flushed Dry Skin • Rapid Pulse • Difficulty Breathing
• Strange Behavior • Hallucinations • Disorientation • Coma

Heat Stroke Treatment:

You should call 911, get the person to a cool area, loosen their clothing, soak them with cool water and fan them to increase the cooling process. Place ice packs on the person's groin and under their armpits.

Summer health risks for seniors should not be a reason to keep you inside all summer long. Use a little common sense and go out and enjoy yourself.

Know what the senior summer health risks are, then go out and enjoy your activities. Just take the precautions that are necessary for your health and your enjoyment.

Be aware of the outside temperature and pollen count before going out. Take whatever you will need during your outing... just make sure water is on your list.

During the mid-day hours, make your outings at the mall, the movies, anywhere inside, where it's cool. If you want to go to the beach or the park, make those outings in the morning or the evenings when the temperature is cooler.

Some Things To Remember:

1. Don't spend a lot of time in the sun.

2. Drink lots of water.

3. Be careful doing physical activity in the heat.

4. Avoid alcoholic beverages in extreme heat

It will only take a little planning and a few extra precautions for you to have a safe and happy summer.