Page 17 - Mid Valley Times 7-2-20 E-edition

Thursday, July 2, 2020 | A17 | Mid Valley TiMes
He
H
ealth &Fitne
ealth &Fitn
Summer Heat Is Coming Soon
ss
ss
As we enter the months of summer,
it is important to pay attention to how hot it is, because as we age we become more susceptible to com- plications associated with becoming too hot. e aging pro- cess makes it more di cult for the body to adjust to the high summer temperatures. Seniors (65 or older) are more likely to have chronic health conditions that reduce the body’s ability to respond to heat con- ditions. Prescription medications can also impair the ability to perspire which helps regulate the body temperature.
Heat cramps, dehy-
Now What?
dration, heat exhaus- tion and, most seri- ously, heat stroke can be the result of high body temperatures. When the body’s temperature becomes unusually high caus- ing neurological is- sues, emergency treat- ment must be sought. Heat stroke can cause permanent disability or death if emergency treatment is not pro- vided.
Heat cramps are painful muscle spasms that can develop in the arms, legs, or abdomen. e pain- ful muscle cramping can happen when someone exercises or participates in other types of strenuous activity in the heat of
So what does the vac- cine universe look like now? Eight vaccine candidates are in human trials, and more than 100 others are ongoing with some in animal testing. Given the urgency to nd a vaccine, press releases similar to Moderna’s will undoubt- edly nd their way into the hands of journalists. e public needs to read them skeptically.
e same goes for news stories built around a single source or an animal study or a study that doesn’t mention a control group or is built on a “preprint.” ese are essen- tially rough drafts of studies that have not peer reviewed.
“Results of these stud- ies should not be reported
By Ro Linscheid
the day.
Dehydration is the lack of water in the body. Confusion, headache, and dis- orientation are some symptoms that should cue you to drink some uids. Dehydration
is often the precur- sor of a more serious heat problem. Drink- ing water frequently throughout the day keeps your hydration level up. At retire- ment communities, like Sierra View Homes, there are more cool drinking water stations around, posters highlighting the danger of summer heat and sta attuned to residents who need reminders to hydrate frequently.
Heat exhaustion happens when there is an excessive loss
of water and salt contained in sweat. Several days of high temperatures coupled with inadequate or unbalanced replace-
by the media as established information,” warns Gary Schwitzer, the long-time publisher of Health News Review.
“Questions about the quality of the evidence are more important than ever
ment of uids can result in heat exhaus- tion. Warning signs for heat exhaustion are: heavy sweating, paleness, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, fainting, slow or rapid pulse rate, and fast or shal- low breathing.
Heat stroke hap- pens when the body becomes unable to control the internal temperature. If the body temperature rises quickly, the ability to sweat de- creases and the body is unable to cool itself down. Body tem- peratures may rise to 103 degrees or higher causing serious prob- lems. Warning signs of heat stroke are: high body tempera- ture, dizziness, nau- sea, confusion, red/ hot dry skin, rapid/ strong pulse, unusual behavior, a throbbing headache, agitation, disorientation, the lack of sweating, and
before.”
Do you have a question about the e orts to develop a vaccine against the coronavi- rus? WritetoTrudyattrudy. lieberman@gmail.com.
loss of consciousness.
If you see someone or you yourself are ex- periencing any symp- toms of dehydration or heat- related is- sues, take measures
to resolve the issue. Get anyone with heat exhaustion or heat stroke symptoms to the hospital for pro- fessional treatment.
If signs and symp- toms of heat- related issues are left un- treated, the possibility of heat stroke with devastating results is a reality.
As we are in the warm time of the year, take time to think about your activi-
ties and how the heat could a ect you.
Wear light weight
and light colored clothing, limit out- door activities to the early morning hours, drink plenty of uids, and remain indoors
in an air-conditioned environment dur-
ing the hottest part
of the day. If you are feeling hot, take a
rest break; maybe you need to take a cool bath or shower to cool o . Many val- ley communities have cooling centers for people who don’t have a cool place to rest when the temperature is over 100 degrees. Sierra View Homes has been a designated cooling center for many years.
Dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaus- tion, and heat stroke can happen to anyone at any age, but people 65 and older need
to be extra careful
and pay attention for the warning signs of heat-related trouble. Becoming too hot is dangerous and can be deadly. Take time to understand how you are dealing with the heat of summer, stay hydrated, and have a plan to cool down and have a great summer.
RETIRED...
FULL STORY
Continued from Previous Page
When science produces answers to questions like those, then ideally, results
of Phase 3 trials should be published in peer-reviewed journals where experts have a chance to “kick the tires” and cast a critical eye on the data. If a new therapeutic drug passes the test, then it is considered t for humans.
Moderna’s vaccine in the making “may be ef- fective,” Branswell said. “But we don’t know yet. It’s too soon. People don’t understand it takes time to produce a vaccine.”
ElPortalPharmacy
WE accEPt all InsurancE
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9am-6pm; Sat. 9am-1pm; Closed Sun.
Nikki Nguyen - Pharmacist
2407 JEnsEn avE., Ste. 101 • Sanger 399-8644 Fax 399-8643
To Advertise call
Mid Valley Times 638-2244 or 875-2511
005754
005873