[caption id="attachment_10706" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Cane River"]
[/caption]NATCHITOCHES, LOUISIANA - Carol Forsloff - The long heat wave can have serious consequences for certain groups of
people, with many not knowing that even brief periods of exposure to it
can create problems. That's particularly true in areas of the South where it's hot and humid.
A woman at a health food store in Shreveport clung to the walls of the
building for a moment. Watching her, I stopped to ask if I could help.
She said, "I only walked from the car into this store, just across a
parking lot; and I felt like passing out."She explained she is diabetic, which accounts for the response to the
heat. She said, however, it was unexpected to find out that even such
an exposure as a few minutes could lead to dizziness and feeling ill.
Serious heat can cause problems for seniors and those who are medically
compromised. As temperatures soar through the South and mid-Atlantic
states, people need to know precautions. That's because the humidity is
ordinarily higher than it is in other parts of the United States.
Hardly
anyone is out walking around in Natchitoches, Louisiana since the heat
index has been at times 110 . The temperature gauge has been 101 and
climbing at 1 p.m., and the humidity over 80. Even short drives to the
store are difficult.For seniors and others heat like this can be serious, even deadly.
Diabetics are warned to avoid extreme temperatures, and stay inside in
air-conditioned areas when the heat index is high.
There are, however, seniors in places like Natchitoches, Louisiana who
don’t have, or can’t afford, air conditioning. Hot temperatures are
particularly stressful for the elderly, as the South is now
experiencing.
When Southerners say it’s hot, then it really is, since June typically
brings hot days. But this is different, and many people say it is. One
of them, 93 years old, by the name of Dora Benson said she could not
remember any time in her long years when it has been hot.
The heat of the South is gripping even for long-term residents. Given the risks associated with global warming, some health experts maintain that if indeed the warming trend continues, we might see an increase in heart disease as a result.
Experts at the Department of Cardiology in Sweden say statistics show
people have more heart problems when it's hot. Dr. Karin
Schenk-Gustafsson (Dept. of Cardiology, Karolinska Institute, Sweden)
told AP Medical Writer Maria Cheng during an interview, "If it really is
a few degrees warmer in the next 50 years, we could definitely have
more cardiovascular disease."
Other people at risk for complications from extreme heat are lupus victims.
The Centers for Disease Control
declare the importance of taking precautions during periods of extreme
heat. This organization stresses particularly the importance of at-risk
like the elderly taking precautions. One should be especially cautious
when taking certain psychotropic or tranquilizer medications, and
medicines should be evaluated for problems that may arise when
conditions are hot.
Not just the South but the interior of the country is now experiencing a
heat wave, so it’s important to know the precautions about these types
of conditions and to take them seriously if you are a senior.
But it isn't just seniors this warning is all about, as medical experts
tell us. The problem is likely to get worse as temperatures around the
globe continue to increase in a world where climate change is becoming
more and more evident.
Reportedly 1 in 750 are affected with this disease and have to stay out of the sun as a consequence.
anyone is out walking around in Natchitoches, Louisiana since the heat
index has been at times 110 . The temperature gauge has been 101 and
climbing at 1 p.m., and the humidity over 80. Even short drives to the
store are difficult.For seniors and others heat like this can be serious, even deadly.
Diabetics are warned to avoid extreme temperatures, and stay inside in
air-conditioned areas when the heat index is high.
There are, however, seniors in places like Natchitoches, Louisiana who
don’t have, or can’t afford, air conditioning. Hot temperatures are
particularly stressful for the elderly, as the South is now
experiencing.
When Southerners say it’s hot, then it really is, since June typically
brings hot days. But this is different, and many people say it is. One
of them, 93 years old, by the name of Dora Benson said she could not
remember any time in her long years when it has been hot.
The heat of the South is gripping even for long-term residents. Given the risks associated with global warming, some health experts maintain that if indeed the warming trend continues, we might see an increase in heart disease as a result.
Experts at the Department of Cardiology in Sweden say statistics show
people have more heart problems when it's hot. Dr. Karin
Schenk-Gustafsson (Dept. of Cardiology, Karolinska Institute, Sweden)
told AP Medical Writer Maria Cheng during an interview, "If it really is
a few degrees warmer in the next 50 years, we could definitely have
more cardiovascular disease."
Other people at risk for complications from extreme heat are lupus victims.
The Centers for Disease Control
declare the importance of taking precautions during periods of extreme
heat. This organization stresses particularly the importance of at-risk
like the elderly taking precautions. One should be especially cautious
when taking certain psychotropic or tranquilizer medications, and
medicines should be evaluated for problems that may arise when
conditions are hot.
Not just the South but the interior of the country is now experiencing a
heat wave, so it’s important to know the precautions about these types
of conditions and to take them seriously if you are a senior.
But it isn't just seniors this warning is all about, as medical experts
tell us. The problem is likely to get worse as temperatures around the
globe continue to increase in a world where climate change is becoming
more and more evident.
Reportedly 1 in 750 are affected with this disease and have to stay out of the sun as a consequence.
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