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Seniors Can Stay Safe While Soaking Up Summer Sun

The month of June launches the season for picnics, trips to the beach, the park, and a long list of summer fun. The summer sun is meant to be enjoyed, but it can be a dangerous threat especially for seniors.

The older we get, the more vulnerable we are to summer's heat and humidity. According to the American Geriatrics Society's Foundation for Health in Aging, seniors 50 and over are less sensitive to heat and feeling thirsty, making it potentially dangerous if extra precautions are not taken to protect from sunburn, dehydration and heat-related illnesses. Age, weight, and prescription drug use are among factors that can make seniors more or less susceptible to heat hazards.

Here are a few suggestions for seniors if they must go out in temperatures higher than 90 degrees:

• Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing and hats and sunglasses to keep the sun off of your face and head.
• Use at least SPF 30 sunscreen on all parts of the body that are exposed to the sun, including forehead, ears, nose and back of the neck.
• Avoid strenuous activities as much as possible, especially during the hottest times of the day between noon and 4 p.m.
• Drink plenty of fluids including water and sports drinks while avoiding alcohol and caffeinated beverages. Doctors recommend seniors drink at least eight glasses of water a day, even if they don't feel thirsty.
• Snack on healthy foods and snacks. Foods that are high in protein increase metabolic heat. So, if you know you're going outside, try enjoying a sandwich, salad, fresh fruit and vegetables rather than a heavier meal.
• Check the warning labels on any prescription medicines that are being taken on a regular basis. Some may affect how the body manages heat. If you have any questions, be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Should overexposure to the sun happen, seniors should be aware of the symptoms and know how to react immediately. Sunburn, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke happen when the human body can't cool itself as quickly as it's heating up or if too many fluids or salt are lost through sweating. All require immediate attention.

Sunburn: Water pills, antibiotics, some antidepressants and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can increase sensitivity to the sun. According to the Mayo Clinic, signs include a pink or red color, pain or tenderness in a particular area and skin that feels warm or hot to the touch. If you get sunburn, the clinic suggests taking a cool bath and applying over-the-counter aloe or hydrocortisone cream. If blisters appear, do not break them but instead cover them with light, nonstick gauze.

Heat cramps: Muscular pains and spasms typically occur in the legs or stomach and can affect anyone who is sweating. Those suffering from heat cramps should take regular sips of water and apply firm pressure to muscle spasms while taking temporary shelter from direct sunlight. If cramps continue for more than an hour, professional medical assistance should be sought.

Heat exhaustion: Several days of consistent exposure to high temperatures and humidity could cause dizziness and weakness with constant nausea and headaches. Seniors will more than likely be sweating heavily and appear pale. To treat heat exhaustion, loosen any clothing and apply cool clothes or towels to all areas of the skin. Seniors should also take sips of cool water.

Heat stroke: If body's temperature rises to 105 or more degrees, a senior could have rapid, shallow breathing, vomiting, seizures, or could fall unconsciousness. After calling 911 for assistance, the person suffering from heat stroke should be moved to a cooler place and fanned to ring the body temperature down. Do not administer fluids.