SAN DIEGO, Aug. 14, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sun-kissed days filled with barbeques, shuffleboard and walks on the beach are the stuff summer dreams are made of, but older adults, especially, should use caution in the heat and sun. This summer is already on track to be one of the hottest on record, and the combination of sun and heat exposure can take the fun out of a day on the golf course or a bike ride.
"When working and playing in the summer sun, symptoms of sunburn, dehydration and heat-related health problems can go unnoticed until they become severe," said Mary Jane Osmick, M.D., vice president and medical director of medical services for American Specialty Health (ASH), a national health and wellness company that provides the Silver&Fit® Exercise and Healthy Aging program. "As we get older, our bodies lose some of our ability to adapt to heat. And, if we are overweight, have a medical condition or take medications, we are less able to respond well to heat. It's important to stay active all year long, but, when it's hot outside, we need to pay attention to how we exercise so we can stay safe."
To help older adults prevent health issues from sun and heat, Silver&Fit offers the following tips:
Know the Symptoms of Sun and Heat-related Health Issues
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Sunburn or sun poisoning can occur in as little as 15 minutes on a sunny day. Symptoms include red, warm, painful skin. In severe cases, blisters, swelling and peeling can occur, and in the case of sun poisoning, you may experience chills, fever and nausea. A person's risk for melanoma doubles if he or she has had five or more sunburns at any age.
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Dehydration can occur if your body does not get enough water as you are losing fluid from sweating. Symptoms can include thirst, flushed skin, fatigue, dry or cracked lips, nausea and headaches. In severe cases, dehydration can even lead to death. Remember, as we age, our sense of thirst doesn't work as well.
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Heat cramps can result when muscles are heavily fatigued during an activity or exercise in the sun or high heat, especially if you are sweating and the body is losing salt and moisture. Symptoms can include brief, painful muscle spasms, cramps or involuntary jerks. Cramps can be serious if you have heart problems or follow a low salt diet.
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Heat exhaustion, although not as severe as heat stroke, can lead to heat stroke if not treated.Heat exhaustion can occur if you spend too much time in the heat and lose fluid in the form of sweat. If the fluid is not replaced, you may be susceptible to heat stroke. Symptoms can include shallow breathing, stomach cramps, nausea and muscle tremors.
- Heat stroke occurs when your body is not able to cool itself down due to high heat, high humidity or dehydration. About half of the deaths linked to heat stroke affect people 65 years of age and older. The medical definition of heat stroke is a core body temperature greater than 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Classic symptoms include throbbing headache; dizziness or light-headedness; nausea; red, hot or dry (non-sweaty) skin; muscle weakness or cramps; confusion; rapid heartbeat; seizures; and sometimes loss of consciousness.
Tips to Avoid Sun Health Emergencies
Here are five tips to help you enjoy the sunshine while protecting your health:
1. Drink plenty of water: When the weather is warm, your body loses more fluid by sweating. Drinking plenty of water (about eight 8-oz. glasses a day, and more when you exercise) can help replace lost fluids. It is also important to avoid alcohol and caffeine in warm weather, as these types of drinks can cause your body to lose water. Be sure to talk with your doctor about how much water you should drink in the heat of summer. Because of some health problems and medications, some people may need to limit water intake.
2. Dress for the weather: When it's hot out, you can stay cool by avoiding dark clothes that absorb the sun's rays. Wear light-colored clothes that reflect the sun's heat away from your body, and wear light-weight, long-sleeved shirts to avoid direct sun. Grab your hat to protect your face and keep your head cool. UV-rated sunglasses can protect your eyes, while giving you another "cool" factor.
3. Use sunscreen: At any time of year, it's important to wear sunscreen to help prevent sunburn, skin damage, wrinkles and skin cancers. Keep a bottle of sunscreen in your car or purse. Many health organizations, including the American Academy of Dermatology, recommend products with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 and broad spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
4. Pace yourself: Daily activity is important, but when it's warm, don't overdo it. If you find that your heart is pounding and you are gasping for breath when you exercise, this may mean your body is working harder than it should. Slow down or stop your activity. Find a shady spot to sit, rest, and drink water. To avoid health problems when you're active, work out at cooler times of the day or plan indoor workouts. Wake up early and hit the pool, or take a brisk walk after dinner.
5. Eat your fruits and veggies: Fruits and vegetables contain large amounts of water to help you stay hydrated. A fruit salad with blueberries and apples is packed with nutrients and water. Carrots, tomatoes and sweet bell peppers contain the antioxidant beta-carotene, which may help protect skin from sun damage and sunburns.
Summertime should be filled with fun. So this summer, make the most of each day by taking care of yourself and avoiding the risks associated with heat and sun exposure.
About The Silver&Fit Exercise & Healthy Aging Program
Silver&Fit is an exercise and healthy aging program providing unique, evidence-based fitness and health education activities for Medicare beneficiaries and group retirees. As part of the Silver&Fit Exercise & Healthy Aging program, members have access to: no-cost or low-cost memberships at a comprehensive network of contracted fitness facilities and exercise centers; the Silver&Fit Home Exercise Program, for those unable to participate at a fitness facility or who prefer to work out at home; SilverandFit.com, a website with a variety of health tools and resources specifically designed for older adults; access to an online or DVD-based Healthy Aging program; The Silver Slate®, a quarterly newsletter; and a toll-free customer service hotline. Follow Silver&Fit on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/SilverandFit.
The Silver&Fit logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=13048
For more information about whether your Medicare plan includes the Silver&Fit program, please contact your health plan or 1-800-MEDICARE.
Silver&Fit is a product of American Specialty Health Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of American Specialty Health Incorporated (ASH).
About American Specialty Health Incorporated (ASH)
American Specialty Health Incorporated (ASH) is a national health services organization that provides fitness and exercise programs, total population health programs and specialty health care management programs for health plans, insurance carriers, employer groups and trust funds. Headquartered in San Diego, with an operations center in Dallas, ASH has more than 900 employees and covers more than 31 million members. Additional products offered through ASH and its subsidiaries include Healthyroads, ExerciseRewardsTM and others. For more information about ASH, visit www.ASHCompanies.com or call 800-848-3555. Follow us on Twitter at @ASHCompanies or @Healthyroads and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Healthyroads.