Summer's here and the time is right
For dancin' in the street
-- Martha and the Vandellas
Summer means outdoor fun--from hiking and swimming to music festivals and county fairs to, well, dancing in the street--but summer fun can quickly turn tragic if you or someone you care about ends up with heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
As temperatures rise, so does the risk that your body's natural cooling system will malfunction or shut down if you fail to take proper precautions.
Although heat exhaustion and heat stroke (sometimes called sun stroke) can affect anyone, seniors are more prone to heat stress than younger people for a variety of reasons. In general, seniors do not adjust as easily or as well to sudden temperature changes, and they may have chronic medical conditions or take prescription drugs that interfere with their bodies' ability to regulate heat.
As part of your preparation for summer this year, learn how to recognize the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and find out what to do if you see someone with either of these dangerous conditions.
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