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Can’t Take the Heat? It May Be Your Medications By Stephenie Overman
Because older adults often take more medications – especially for chronic conditions — than do their younger counterparts, it makes it likely that they've been prescribed something that may interfere with the body's heat regulation. There may be alternatives, such as temporarily taking lower doses or switching to different medicines, Blackburn says. "All those things are on the table. There are lots of ways adjustments can be made for a defined period of time during hotter weather. But it's important that people not discontinue medications on their own." In conversation with a health care provider or pharmacist, "do a thorough medication review – look at the risk and benefits in context and proceed from there," Blackburn says. She adds that it's always important to store medications appropriately. There are steps you can take on your own to reduce your risk, Blackburn continues. "For instance, monitor your heart rate. If you have diabetes, maybe monitor yourself more closely." If you're taking diuretics to get rid of excess fluid and salt, check your weight every day, drink plenty of water and be aware of the early signs of dehydration. Drinking water is crucial. Reduce consumption of alcohol and caffeine. Wear loose cotton clothing. Wear a hat. Go outside early in the day. "If you don't have air conditioning, know where cooling centers are," Blackburn says, suggesting a mall or public library.
Drugs frequently prescribed to older adults can dangerously interfere with the brain's ability to regulate heat. These drugs can disrupt the hypothalamus, an area of the brain that controls body temperature, hunger and thirst — and often is referred to as "the thermostat of the body." Commonly prescribed medications that increase risk from heat include diuretics, anticholinergic agents and psychotropic medications, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). They pose threats that can lead to dehydration, increased sensitivity of the skin, electrolyte imbalance and heatstroke. As bodies change through the aging process, older people tend to become more sensitive to heat, says Hayley Blackburn, University of Montana associate professor.
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