The heatwave sweeping across the United States has disrupted the lives and impacted the health of millions. While heat-related illnesses can affect anyone, people with underlying health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and skin conditions need to take extra precautions.
Learn how extreme heat can affect people with these conditions and safety tips:
skin condition
“Many skin conditions are heat-sensitive; higher temperatures can trigger or exacerbate a variety of skin conditions, including skin infections, autoinflammatory skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, acne, folliculitis and pemphigus, and even skin cancer incidence,” said Eva Rawlings Parker, assistant professor of dermatology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. medical daily.
However, individuals with atopic dermatitis or eczema respond differently to heat.
“For some people, warmer temperatures and higher humidity are beneficial; however, for others, these conditions can trigger dermatitis. Regardless, during heat waves, when temperatures are extremely high, itching tends to be more intense, and increased sweating can lead to irritation that can lead to dermatitis in the skin,” Parker said.
How to protect yourself:
While massive climate action is needed to permanently address rising heat, Parker believes there is much that people can do to help themselves. Simple steps like limiting outdoor activity, using fans and air conditioners, wearing light, loose-fitting clothing, staying well hydrated, and avoiding alcohol and caffeine can go a long way.
American Academy of Dermatology Association recommend People with dry skin limit showers with lukewarm water to once a day. Using a fragrance-free cleanser and applying moisturizer to damp skin can help skin stay hydrated.
heart problems
In extreme heat, the body’s natural temperature-regulating mechanisms spin out of control, stressing the heart to pump harder and faster to improve circulation and heat dissipation. Temporary extra stress on the heart may not cause problems in healthy people, but in people with heart problems, it may increase the risk of serious events such as heart attacks.
“In people with compromised cardiovascular fitness, increased cardiac workload and increased demand for oxygen from coronary tissue may lead to an imbalance in oxygen supply and demand. This imbalance may trigger a chain of events that can lead to cardiac ischemia (decreased blood flow to the heart muscle), myocardial infarction (heart attack) and even sudden cardiovascular failure,” said lead author Jingwen Liu of The Lancet study Effect of heat exposure on cardiovascular health assessed, tells medical daily.
Helpful hints:
In addition to following the general advice of staying hydrated and avoiding excessive physical activity, heart patients should make sure to store their medications in a cool, dry place. Certain medications, such as beta blockers used to treat heart problems, may increase the risk of heat stroke. Also, they should not stop the medication without consulting a healthcare practitioner. They should also check for symptoms such as chest pain, rapid heart rate, difficulty breathing, and dizziness, and seek immediate medical attention.
diabetes
People with diabetes often become dehydrated faster than people without health problems. Dehydration can also cause their blood sugar levels to rise.
according to a study Research published last year in Diabetes Care showed that extreme temperatures put people with diabetes at risk for three serious health conditions — hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), diabetic ketoacidosis (when the body produces excess blood acid and cardiac arrest) and ventricular arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeats).
Tips to follow:
- Although physical activity is essential for blood sugar control, people with diabetes should avoid outdoor exercise.
- People with diabetes should check their blood sugar levels frequently, especially after physical activity, because hot weather can cause blood sugar levels to fluctuate.
- All medical supplies, including insulin, insulin pumps, and blood glucose meters, should be stored away from direct heat sources.
- pay attention to symptom Low blood sugar such as dizziness, confusion, fast heart rate, sweating, and anxiety.
mental health condition
Too much heat can affect a person’s mental health.Heat periods increase emergency room visits, study shows Mental Health situation.
For people with mental illness, high temperatures can trigger symptoms such as irritability, insomnia and aggression.according to a study People with underlying mental illnesses are twice as likely to die in a heat wave than the general population, according to data released by the National Institutes of Health. Some psychiatric medications, including some antidepressants and antipsychotics, can also decrease the body’s ability to control body temperature.
Helpful hints:
- Stay hydrated, as dehydration can worsen symptoms like anxiety
- try to get a good night’s sleep by keeping your room cool and following a sleep schedule
- Discuss with your healthcare practitioner to see if your medications may increase your risk of overheating
The American Psychiatric Association said: “Everyone, especially those who are more vulnerable to extreme heat conditions, is encouraged to stay hydrated and take precautions during extreme heat conditions, and to check in with those who may be more vulnerable to extreme heat conditions.” explain in a press release last week.
Published by Medicaldaily.com