Many people are unaware of the dangers associated with hyperthermia and the growing number of heat-induced emergency room visits and deaths seniors experience every year. And it’s not likely to get any better in the near future, as summer temperatures seem to be steadily increasing. Hyperthermia is recognized in several forms: heat cramps, heat edema, heat syncope, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Of these, the most common types seniors experience are heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Older Americans are particularly susceptible to hyperthermia because of existing health conditions and chronic illness. According to a Harvard School of Public Health study
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Tips to help aging individuals cope with extreme heat
This summer has been brutal – temperature-wise. In a recent blog post, Tom Skilling, Chicago’s favorite forecaster, reminded residents just how hot it's been. If we crack the 90-degree marker 11 more times, he said, we will tie the 24-year record for the most days over 90 degrees. And considering that Chicago’s five-day forecast calls for three days of above-90 temps, it looks like we just might do it. Despite the fact that the worst is behind us, it’s still a good idea to be reminded of the health risks that this type of weather can pose to aging individuals. Hypothermia,
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