March 23, 2023 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Hot Flash: What Heat Does To Your Body

Especially those (that be me) over 50

 

 

Is it hot enough for you? It is for me. Too damn hot. And, if you happen to be 50 years old or older, it can be downright dangerous. I fall into that category. I consulted WebMD about the dangers of high heat. Here’s what I found out, other than sweating my ass off:

 

Heat Exhaustion

It happens in extreme heat when your body can’t get cool enough and sweats away too much water and salt. You get pale and clammy, and your temperature often goes over 100 degrees. You also may be tired, weak, lightheaded, and nauseated, and have a headache. if you ignore it, it could lead to heatstroke, which is an emergency. Get to a cool shaded area, lie down, and drink something with salt and sugar. Sip water if that’s all you have.

It happened to me once, when I was on riding the back of my boyfriend’s motorcycle roaring down the Arizona desert highway at 112 degrees. I was so dry that after I had some water, I immediately started profusely sweating; my body’s way of cooling me off. Freaky.

Heatstroke

This is heat at its most dangerous. You can’t control your body temperature, which can go above 104 degrees. Your skin gets warm and dry. You might get confused or agitated, and have a fast pulse, nausea, and a headache. Call 911 right away. Left untreated, it may cause seizures, coma, and can be life-threatening. Get to a cool area, sip something and pack ice under your arms and between your legs.

Just recently, there were some seniors living in L.A. with no air conditioning that died. And, there were several mail delivery people that passed out because of the heat. They might want to change their delivery motto. The mail can wait a day or a few hours.

Dehydration

When it’s very hot, you can sweat away too much fluid, along with essential minerals like sodium and potassium. You may be thirsty and pee less than usual, and your mouth and tongue might feel dry. You could even feel dizzy, lightheaded, and confused. Head for a cool place and drink something balanced with salt and sugar (such as an oral rehydration solution). Serious cases need emergency care, including fluids you get through an IV.

Exercising in the heat can lead to dehydration if you’re not drinking enough water. (That’s enough to keep me away from exercising). But there’s always the gym, which is climate controlled. No excuses!

 

 

Heat Edema

Heat can cause your fingers, toes, or ankles to swell and make your skin feel tight. It’s not serious and usually goes away when you cool down and elevate your legs. Talk to your doctor if it causes pain, keeps happening, or doesn’t get better. It sucks when you can’t fit into your cute new shoes right before a hot date.

 

General Precautions

When a heat wave hits:

  • Drink lots of water, even if you’re not thirsty. (check)
  • Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which dehydrate you. (Oops! Not check.)
  • Eat lighter meals, more often. (check)
  • Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. (Black is my go to color. I will rethink that.)
  • Check on loved ones who live alone or don’t have air conditioning.
  • Stay inside as much as possible and avoid outdoor chores. (I do this even when it’s not hot outside!)
  • Never leave a child or pet alone in a car, even if it’s not that hot outside. (The worst thing anyone can do. I will break the glass to save a child or pet)

 

Stay cool and stay safe, Santa Monica!

 

 

 

 

Related Posts

Survey: Should Officials Remove Barriers to Outdoor Dining?

March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic drastically changed the way we live our lives, and one of the most significant impacts has been...

Gasolina Cafe Owner, Sandra Cordero, to Open New Tapas Bar in Santa Monica

March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

Tapas bar expected to open late spring in former Heroic Italian space at 516 Santa Monica Boulevard  Sandra Cordero, the...

California’s AB 1217 Could Supersede Costly Outdoor Dining Permits Proposed by Municipalities

March 22, 2023

March 22, 2023

Legislation would preempt local ordinances and preserve regulatory flexibility for struggling neighborhood restaurants By Sam Catanzaro A new bill proposed...

Emerging Artist Jesse Liu Opens First-Ever Exhibition in Venice Gallery

March 22, 2023

March 22, 2023

“Spring Fever” currently on display at Yiwei Gallery By Keemia Zhang Local artist Jesse Liu has opened her first solo...

Santa Monica Place Invites LGBTQIA+ Artisans to Apply for Made With PRIDE Marketplace

March 21, 2023

March 21, 2023

Partnering with Streetlet, the marketplace will take place each weekend in June and showcase local goods made in Southern California....

Santa Monica Councilmember Phil Brock Appointed to National League of Cities Council on Youth, Education, and Families

March 21, 2023

March 21, 2023

Brock to collaborate with group of local leaders to develop and guide programs for communities across the country Santa Monica...

Santa Monica Receives $70,000 Donation From Kiwanis Charities for Scoreboards in Two Parks

March 21, 2023

March 21, 2023

Donation will fund the installation of new scoreboards at Historic Belmar Park and Los Amigos Park The Santa Monica City...

Should Santa Monica Close the Airport?

March 21, 2023

March 21, 2023

Santa Monica City Council recently voted to begin the process of closing Santa Monica Municipal Airport. The decision was kick-started...

City Council Puts Plan for Use of Parking Lots for Affordable Housing in Motion

March 21, 2023

March 21, 2023

Sites are located at 1217 Euclid Street, 1211-1217 14th Street and 1146 16th Street By Dolores Quintana ​​During the Santa...

Santa Monica Warns Residents of Crypto Ponzi Scheme

March 21, 2023

March 21, 2023

City says 30 + households in Santa Monica have reported being victimized by CryptoFX, LLC Over 30 households in Santa...

Man Arrested for Sexual Assaults Targeting Homeless Victims

March 20, 2023

March 20, 2023

Anthony Pittman faces rape charges in connection to series of sexual assaults A West Hollywood man has been arrested in...

SMa.r.t. Column: Going Bare

March 20, 2023

March 20, 2023

(part 3 of 3 articles) Every City faces periodic interruptions to its normal life. Some interruptions in our City are...

Santa Monica Mall Owner, Macerich, Finds Way Out of Retail Property Crisis

March 19, 2023

March 19, 2023

Move comes amidst a crisis for retail property owners, with loans coming due for refinancing with much higher interest rates...

Historic Santa Monica Property “The Witbeck House” Listed for Sale at $22.5M

March 19, 2023

March 19, 2023

Greene & Greene-designed home features 26,000+ square foot lot with five bedroom home A historic property known as The Witbeck...

New Affordable Housing Complex Completed in Santa Monica’s Pico Neighborhood

March 18, 2023

March 18, 2023

Las Flores offers 73 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments at 1834-1848 14th Street By Sam Catanzaro Community Corp. of Santa...