As summer temperatures are on the rise across the country, the Centers for Disease Control reports that seniors are more prone to suffer from heat exhaustion and heat stroke than younger people.

The CDC reports that approximately 400 people die each year from excessive natural heat, and that these deaths are preventable.

If you have elderly friends, relatives or neighbors, it’s very important to help them protect themselves from heat-related stress.

The CDC reports that seniors are more likely to suffer from heat stress than younger people because they don’t adjust as well to sudden changes in temperature; they are more likely to have a chronic medical condition that can change the way their body responds to heat; and seniors are more likely to take prescription medications that impair the body’s ability to regulate its temperature, or that inhibit natural perspiration.

Even though seniors are more likely to be affected by high temperatures and heat-related problems than younger people, heat exhaustion and heat stroke can affect anyone if the conditions are right.

When it’s particularly hot take the time to visit an elderly friend or relative at least twice a day and evaluate them for signs of heat exhaustion or stroke.

Make sure the senior in your life is keeping themselves hydrated by drinking plenty of cool water, and by avoiding beverages with caffeine or alcohol.

When it’s really hot take them to a place with air conditioning, if they have no way of getting there themselves. And, make sure the elderly person in your life has access to an electric fan in every room.

Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness, which can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures. Heat exhaustion can develop along with dehydration caused by inadequate or unbalanced replacement of fluids.

Signs of heat exhaustion include, heavy sweating, extreme paleness, muscle cramps, excessive tiredness, weakness and dizziness. Other signs include, headache, nausea or vomiting, fainting, cool and moist skin, a fast and weak pulse rate and breathing in a fast and shallow manner.

The CDC says that heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. Heat stroke occurs when the body is exposed to an excessive amount of heat and becomes unable to dissipate the heat through sweating.

When heat stroke occurs, the body’s temperature rises rapidly, the body loses its ability to sweat, and it is unable to cool down. Body temperature can rise to 106 degrees Fahrenheit or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. At 106 degrees brain death begins.

If emergency treatment is not provided, heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability in both humans and animals.

The CDC advises that warning signs can vary among individuals, but common signs of heat stroke may include an extremely high body temperature (above 103 degrees); red, hot, and dry skin; no sweating; a rapid, strong pulse; a throbbing headache; dizziness; and nausea.

Both heat exhaustion and heat stroke can be avoided if you protect yourself from heat-related stress by following these prevention tips from the CDC.

Be sure to drink plenty of cool, non-alcoholic and non-caffeinated beverages. It’s best to avoid extremely cold liquids, though, because they can cause stomach cramps.

Other important tips for avoiding heat-related stress include, resting, taking a cool shower, bath, or sponge bath, seeking an air-conditioned environment, wearing lightweight clothing and remaining indoors during the hottest parts of the day.

If you don’t have air conditioning, consider visiting an air-conditioned shopping mall or public library to cool off. Also avoid engaging in strenuous activities, including gardening or mowing the lawn.

The CDC recommends that if your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink, or prescribes water pills for you, ask how much you should drink when the weather is hot.

Also keep in mind that if you see any signs of severe heat stress, you may be dealing with a life-threatening emergency.

Have someone call for immediate medical assistance while you begin cooling the affected person down as best you can.

It’s very important to get the person into the shade and cool the person rapidly using whatever methods you have available including immersing the person in a tub of cool water, putting them into a cool shower, or spraying them with cool water from a garden hose.

Another technique for cooling someone off is to sponge them with cool water.

If the humidity is low, wrap the person in a cool, wet sheet and fan him or her vigorously. Do the best you can to monitor their body temperature and continue cooling efforts until the body temperature drops to below 101 degrees.

If emergency medical personnel are delayed, call the hospital emergency room for further instructions.

Never give a heat stress sufferer alcohol to drink and get medical assistance as soon as possible.

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