June 9, 2021

Temperature Extremes and Extreme Heat can Worsen Chronic Illness 

Extreme heat can be dangerous for anyone, but it can be especially dangerous for those with chronic medical conditions. If you or someone you know has a chronic medical condition, follow the information below to help keep you, or someone you know or care for stay safe.

Keep a close eye on those in your care by visiting them at least twice a day, and ask yourself these questions:

  • Are they drinking enough water?
  • Do they have access to air conditioning?
  • Do they know how to keep cool?
  • Do they show any signs of heat stress?

Seek medical care immediately if you or someone you know experiences symptoms of heat-related illness.

Why are people with chronic medical conditions more vulnerable to extreme heat?

  • Their bodies may not be able tolerate higher temps. For some, anything over 75˚F / 24˚C is too extreme.
  • They may be less likely to sense and respond to changes in temperature.
  • They may be taking medications that can make the effect of extreme heat worse.

Conditions like MS, Lupus, Fibro, heart disease, mental illness, poor blood circulation, and obesity are risk factors for heat-related illness.

Stay safe during extreme heat

  • Stay cool.
  • Wear a cooling vest
  • Drink cool water
  • Take a cool shower
  • Stay in air conditioning during the high heat of the day
  • Keep in mind that heavy sweating can remove salt and minerals from your body. Talk to your doctor about how to safely replace salt and minerals lost through sweating.
  • Do not engage in very strenuous activities and get plenty of rest.
  • Check on friends and neighbors, and have someone check on you.
  • Check the local news for health and safety updates regularly.

Learn how to spot heat-related illness

Seek medical care immediately if you or someone you know experiences symptoms of heat-related illness.

Heat Exhaustion Symptoms

  • Muscle cramps
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Fainting
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Rapid heart rate

What to do for Heat Exhaustion

  • Move to a cool place
  • drink cool water
  • Take a cool shower
  • Put on a cooling vest

Heat Stroke Symptoms

  • Body temp above 103˚F / 39.4˚C
  • Skin is dry and hot
  • Dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Rapid breathing
  • Convulsions

What to do for Heat Stroke

  • Call 911 immediately
  • Move person to a cool place
  • Remove unnecessary clothing
  • Immediately cool the person with cool water
  • Place cooling packs or towels soaked in cool water in their armpits, groin and neck.
  • Keep cooling the person until their temp drops to 101˚F. / 38.3˚C

logo
ThermApparel is a small business making big waves in the heat sensitivity world by designing the first lightweight, comfortable and invisible cooling vest, UnderCool. Check us out online, on our blog, or on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Please let us know if you have any other questions or ideas in the comments below, we will follow up. You can always reach us via:
Live Chat - www.thermapparel.com  |  Email - contact.us@thermapparel.net  | Phone - 855-232-7233 |  Address: ThermApparel LLC. 125 Tech Park Dr. Rochester, NY 14620
 

#chronicillness #spoonie #spoonielife #nowican #ms #mswarrior #lupus #fibro #thermapparel #undercool #coolingvest #themoreyouknow

#summer #heatsensitivity #heat #coolingvest #extremeheat  #heatawareness #chronicconditions #chronicillness #heatstroke #heatexhaustion #spoonie #ms #fibro #lupus