Springfield, Missouri, nestled in the Ozarks region, is a charming city that offers a unique blend of modern living and outdoor attractions. It's well known for its many rolling hills, parks, adventure trails, lakes, rivers, cultural attractions, and big-city amenities, making it a desirable retirement spot.
But as majestic as Springfield is, it can get pretty hot. FirstStreet.org says the city can experience 40+ days with temperatures from 90°F to 100°F and 21 days with 100°F or higher!
Exertional heat stroke (EHS) is a serious health risk that anyone, especially seniors, can face during such hot, scorching days. It's a life-threatening emergency, so older adults should do their best to avoid it.
To that end, the caring team at Springhouse Village, our senior living community in Springfield, MO, put together this guide exploring this specific heat illness. Read on to discover what it is, how it occurs, and tips for warm weather safety.
Heat strokes are the most dangerous form of heat-related illness (HRI). They can occur just through exposure to intense heat (also known as "classic heat strokes"). Exertional heat stroke is heat stroke that occurs due to physical activity in a high-temperature environment.
Heat stroke results from the body's internal temperature reaching or exceeding 104°F, causing it to overheat. The National Kidney Foundation says that at this point, many metabolic systems shut down. From kidney failure to heart failure, even coma, these are just some of the dangerous consequences of experiencing heat strokes.
Seniors face a higher risk of EHS because of several factors that link aging and overheating. They include:
Let's explore each of these risk factors in more detail.
Sweating is the body's primary mechanism for cooling down. Unfortunately, the body's ability to sweat diminishes with age.
Aging causes the body's ability to regulate its internal temperature to decline. As a result, the body may find it harder to respond to heat stress.
Extreme heat can exacerbate these health problems. They can also further impair the body's temperature-regulating abilities.
According to Healthline, some medications can increase one's risk of experiencing HRIs, including EHS. Examples include:
The above can impede the body's ability to regulate temperature and sweat.
The signs and indications of heat-related illnesses vary depending on the specific type of illness an older adult experiences. As mentioned above, heat stroke (either classic or exertional) is the most severe form, but heat cramps and heat exhaustion typically precede it.
Heat cramps, the mildest form of HRI, can manifest as painful cramps, particularly in the legs. They can also make the skin feel moist and look flushed.
If left untreated, heat cramps can progress to heat exhaustion. Although it's more severe than heat cramps, it's still less dangerous than heat stroke.
People, including older adults, who experience heat exhaustion may notice the following signs and symptoms:
Heat stroke can cause symptoms similar to heat exhaustion. However, it can also lead to:
Given the many dangers of HRIs, especially exertional heat stroke, seniors should do everything possible to lower their risks of experiencing these summer risks. Here are some practical tips and tricks for older adults who live in the Springfield, MO, area, including our beloved senior living community residents.
One of the simplest ways seniors can avoid heat risks is to check the local weather forecast for Springfield, MO, before engaging in outdoor physical activity. Doing so allows older adults to learn about the day's heat index (the "feels like" temperature). They can then use this knowledge to determine whether it's too hot (and therefore risky) for outdoor physical activity.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), fatigue is possible with prolonged exposure to a heat index as low as 80°F to 90°F (with or without physical activity). The risk increases as the heat index also rises.
So, for seniors in Springfield, MO, please don't risk your health and safety; monitor the NWS website instead! It's one of the best sources for accurate weather forecasts.
Hydration and health in aging should always go hand in hand, as older adults may be more vulnerable to the adverse effects of dehydration. However, staying hydrated and drinking more water than usual is even more crucial during summer days. Hot days often mean sweating more while enjoying the outdoors or exercising for bone and joint health and mobility.
Seniors who want to exercise or play in the incredible outdoors of Springfield, MO, should consider doing so early in the morning. The earlier hours of the morning are often still cool enough to safely engage in outdoor physical activity.
Exertional heat stroke is a severe heat-related illness that can land people, especially seniors, in hospitals. The good news is that it's highly preventable with simple steps, including staying informed of the weather, drinking lots of water, and doing physical activity in the early morning.
At Springhouse Village, our residents' well-being and safety are always top priorities, so we give them access to an emergency response system and ensure they can rely on our professional team 24/7. We also host daily activities that residents can participate in to stay engaged, especially when the day is too hot for outdoor activities.
Do all those perks and pros sound great to you? If so, we'd love to invite you to tour our Springfield, MO, independent living, assisted living, and memory care community! Call us today to schedule your visit.