Summer Health and Safety: Protecting Yourself from Heat, Medications, and Hidden Dangers
Summer brings fun in the sun, vacations, and relaxation for many of us. But with the season's pleasures come serious health risks that require our attention. From extreme heat waves to pesky mosquitoes carrying dangerous viruses, understanding summer safety is crucial for staying healthy during the warmer months.
The Deadly Reality of Heat
Summer arrived with a vengeance in parts of the country this year with sweltering heat waves, and it's likely not going to be the last. Many of us often forget the impact heat can have on us. According to the CDC, heat is the number one weather killer in the U.S., with heat-related illness claiming more than 1,200 people annually.
Overexertion during the hottest time of the day is incredibly dangerous for those with heart or lung diseases. And if you take medications, the heat can cause serious side effects.
How Your Medications React to Heat
Most of us never think twice about the weather and our chronic illness, but that pill you take to treat your condition may not mix well with the heat.
"One thing that I think a lot of people don't know is that many medications can increase your risk and there are so many that can do it, most people are on one or another," said Dr. Ryan Marino from UH Cleveland Medical Center Emergency Medicine.
Certain heart medications, such as beta blockers, blood pressure medications, and ACE inhibitors can imbalance electrolytes, cause dehydration, reduce thirst sensation, decrease ability to sweat, and reduce blood pressure, which increases risk of fainting and falls.
Antidepressants and other psychiatric medications can affect the body's ability to regulate temperature and impair sweating. What's worse is you may not even realize it's happening.
"It can kind of blunt the response where you might have more of a warning sign and it might be that people might not realize it until they are significantly affected," Dr. Marino explained.
Protecting Your Medications from Heat
It's important to stay hydrated and limit your exposure to heat and sunlight but remember to never let your medications get hot either. Never leave them in a hot car - they need to be stored in a cool, dry place.
What about medications that get delivered in the mail? Dr. Brian Kuhn, a pharmacist at Banner University Medical Center, explains that medications typically want to be stored between 60 degrees Fahrenheit and about mid-80s.
"We don't expect that those medications degrade into toxic or potentially harmful substances. For the most part, if there's likely some alteration that's going to occur because of heat, it's likely that the medication will lose some potency or efficacy," Kuhn said.
Your medication isn't going to magically turn into something harmful, but it might not do exactly what it needs to do. Pharmacists say you shouldn't worry so much about pills, but certain liquids might pose a problem.
Kuhn notes that heat could cause things like insulin, Wegovy, or EpiPens to start breaking down, which means they won't work as well. Some mail order pharmacies say their packaging is weather resistant, but to make sure, you can have medications delivered to your office or somewhere else that's air conditioned.
Pregnancy and Extreme Heat: A Serious Risk
When it comes to heat, we know the young, old, and immunocompromised can be at risk, but many may not be aware of the serious risk extreme heat can have on pregnant women.
Dr. Lyndsey Darrow, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Nevada, Reno, has made it her mission to study these effects. One of the pregnancy complications that has been associated with extreme heat is hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including pregnancy-induced hypertension, preeclampsia, and eclampsia. These conditions pose serious risks to both the mother and baby and are predictors of maternal mortality.
There are numerous other pregnancy complications linked to extreme heat, including gestational diabetes. Studies indicate that extreme heat is associated with preterm birth and fetal death, including miscarriage and stillbirth.
"We know that extreme heat increases the risks of cardiovascular and renal-related deaths, and it makes sense that these would be vulnerabilities during pregnancy when these organ systems are already under enormous strain," Dr. Darrow explained.
The outcomes associated with extreme heat include preterm birth and early birth, which are strong predictors of both infant mortality and health trajectories over the life course. They're associated with neurological development and respiratory diseases like asthma.
Once infants are born, they are more vulnerable to extreme heat due to immature thermal regulation and more surface area relative to their size. Research shows increased hospitalizations during heat waves for issues including diarrhea, digestive issues, and breathing problems. Multiple studies in the U.S. and Canada have shown an increased risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) during extreme heat events.
Research has found that some subgroups are particularly vulnerable, including younger women, women with less educational attainment, and women living in areas of more poverty.
Heat Safety for Pregnant Women
Avoid being outside and engaging in physical exertion during the hottest parts of the day. Hydration should be a priority for all of us, but especially pregnant women. If you're at risk, try to access air conditioning or a cooling center and have a backup plan in case your air conditioning goes out.
West Nile Virus: A Summer Threat
West Nile virus activity is ramping up during typical mosquito season. While it's not uncommon to see cases, it's a good reminder this virus can lead to serious illness like meningitis or brain inflammation. Many areas have had plenty of rain, which creates a great breeding ground for even more mosquitoes. Those over age 50 with underlying health conditions should take precautions.
Dr. Joel Walker, medical director at USMD Mid Cities, is more aggressive about talking about mosquito bite prevention than he ever was because he knows firsthand what can happen when you get bit by the wrong bug.
"I try not to go outside at dusk or dawn when the mosquitoes are most effective, and I really watch for standing water on my property and try to remove it," Dr. Walker said.
In 2020, Dr. Walker contracted West Nile virus himself. For him, it meant headache, body aches, some confusion, and then he broke out with a rash. He was lucky to only have a mild case of what's called West Nile fever and didn't develop the more severe neuroinvasive disease.
"The severe illness fortunately only occurs in about one in 150 cases, so it's rare. But when it happens, you progress from what I had to an infection in the brain," he explained.
Protecting Yourself from West Nile Virus
As always, putting on bug repellent is a good place to start. Stick to these guidelines: if you're wearing sunscreen, apply that first, then bug spray. That repellent should go on exposed skin only, not areas covered with clothing.
Even though West Nile virus has been around the U.S. for more than 25 years, some of us may have lost our immunity, and those over 50 could be at higher risk.
Dr. Kristin Englund, an infectious disease expert, advises: "Some may have lost their immunity to it and anybody else who's immunocompromised should be very careful about areas around your house where you have mosquitoes, getting rid of standing water. If you have any tires or anything out back that has water in it, make sure you're cleaning those out. Be really careful around times like dusk when we all know the mosquitoes come out."
There is no vaccine and no medicine to treat West Nile virus, so the only way to prevent it is by preventing mosquito bites to begin with.
Does Lavender Really Repel Mosquitoes?
Many people are turning to lavender as a natural mosquito repellent, but does it really work?
According to biologist Frank Fowler, "Lavender is actually a plant, and there's an essential oil that is derived from that plant that has long been known for its insecticidal repellent qualities."
Research published in the National Institutes of Health looked at plant-based repellents dating back generations and found essential oils from plants, including lavender, showed "good repellency" over an eight-hour test time.
However, the CDC does not recommend lavender oil for this purpose. The only plant-derived ingredients on its list of suggested repellents are lemon eucalyptus oil and the compound 2-undecanone, found in bananas and cloves.
"Most importantly, you want to use a product that has been researched, has some government data behind it and has been deemed safe to apply to your skin," Fowler advises.
Food Safety During Summer
There are other bugs to watch for this season that you can easily prevent by using precautions during backyard barbecues. Norovirus, salmonella, E. coli, listeria, and campylobacter are the bugs that cause nasty food poisoning.
Cleveland Clinic experts recommend always washing your hands before handling any food and keeping raw meat away from produce during preparation, including separating them in the cooler so there's no chance the meat can contaminate the vegetables. Always use separate cutting boards and knives for raw meat and vegetables or fruit to avoid cross-contamination.
Cook raw ground meat to an internal temperature of at least 160 degrees to kill bacteria. Steaks, roasts, or chops should reach 145 degrees and then rest for three minutes before being served.
Anyone can get food poisoning, but young kids, pregnant women, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals are most at risk.
Why You're Less Hungry in Hot Weather
Have you ever noticed that when it's really hot outside you don't feel as hungry? There's actually a reason for that.
According to Beth Czerwony, a registered dietitian with Cleveland Clinic, it has to do with the thermic effect of food. We're not as hungry because our body doesn't want to get overheated, so we eat less to avoid producing as much internal heat.
In summer, people may also be more body-conscious and opt to eat foods with fewer calories, like fruits and vegetables. Another factor could be dehydration.
"When you're dehydrated, your gut starts to slow down and you don't digest food as well," Czerwony explained. "The other thing to remember is a lot of times when we're dehydrated, our sense of thirst is stunted anyway. So, if all of a sudden you're really, really thirsty, you're probably very dehydrated. Drinking throughout the day is going to be important."
Heat Exhaustion vs. Heat Stroke
It's important to know the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Heat exhaustion can make you dizzy, thirsty, sweaty, and even nauseous. CDC guidance suggests moving to a cooler spot, lying down, and drinking water. If you don't feel better within 30 minutes, get medical help.
Heat stroke is life-threatening. Signs include hot, dry, red skin, a lack of sweating, confusion, and in some cases, falling unconscious. Call for help immediately if someone is showing these symptoms. Those most at risk include those over age 65, infants, and pregnant women.
Staying Cool: Fan Safety and Tips
If you are using a box fan to keep cool, the CDC advises not to use it if the temperature in the room is 90 degrees or above. They won't lower the room temperature, and blowing hot air on you can actually put you at risk for heat stress. Find a cooler location if possible.
As for ceiling fans, did you know the direction they spin depends on the season? They might make you feel cooler, but they won't necessarily lower the temperature in the room. You'll want to make sure your fans are spinning counter-clockwise during the summer so the blades push cooler air down. You can usually change the direction using a small switch near the blades.
Conclusion
Summer safety requires vigilance and preparation. From protecting your medications from heat to preventing mosquito bites and recognizing the signs of heat-related illness, taking these precautions can help ensure you enjoy a safe and healthy summer season. Stay hydrated, seek shade during peak heat hours, and don't hesitate to seek medical attention if you experience concerning symptoms.
Monica Robins is not a medical doctor. All content presented in this program is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Always seek the guidance of your personal doctor or qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding your health or medical condition.
