1
The UK is heading for its second heatwave of the summer, and we're only one month in. The Met Office advises: 'The hottest day of the current spell is expected on Monday, with temperatures widely exceeding 30°C in central and eastern England, possibly reaching 34°C in London'.
But, before you rush out in sunnies and shorts, it might be a good idea to check your medicine cabinet: research has found that certain medications can have physiological effects on the body, causing the core body temperature to rise above 40°C. Other medications have been found to make people far more sensitive to heat.
According to the Mental Health Foundation: 'One adult in eight receives mental health treatment, with 10.4% [of those] receiving medication and 3% receiving psychological therapy.
'The overlap within the statistics is due to 1.3% of those receiving treatment reporting receiving both medication and psychological therapy.'
Mental health medications fall under a number of different categories including Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) Antipsychotic Drugs (ACDs), and beta blockers which are often used to treat anxiety and heart conditions.
All of these medications can cause heat intolerance.
Additionally, blood pressure medications can cause heat intolerance, too. According to Centers for Disease Control: 'Certain combinations of medications, such as the combined use of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) with a diuretic, may significantly increase risk of harm from heat exposure.'
To stay cool during hot weather, the NHS recommends: 'Keep out of the heat if you can. If you have to go outside, stay in the shade especially between 11am and 3pm, wear sunscreen, a hat and light clothes, and avoid exercise or activity that makes you hotter.
'Cool yourself down. Have cold food and drinks, avoid alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks, and have a cool shower or put cool water on your skin or clothes.'
They also advise keeping windows closed during the day and opened at night once temperatures have dipped.For somebody potentially experiencing heat exhaustion, the health service advises the following tips:
Move them to a cool place
Remove all unnecessary clothing like a jacket or socks
Get them to drink a sports or rehydration drink, or cool water
Cool their skin – spray or sponge them with cool water and fan them. Cold packs, wrapped in a cloth and put under the armpits or on the neck are good too
This Is One Of The Worst Things You Can Do To Gardens In A Heatwave
The Unexpected Effect Heatwaves Have On Your Phone's Signal
So, Should You Actually Close Your Windows During A Heatwave?
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Five children injured after tree falls in public park
Five children have been injured after a tree fell in a public park, with two children hospitalised with serious injuries. Officers were called to reports of a tree falling in Chalkwell Park in Southend, at around 3pm on Saturday, Essex Police said. 'We remain on the scene of a serious incident at Chalkwell Park. Officers, alongside ambulance and fire service colleagues, are responding,' the force said. 'There have been a number of casualties and our work at the scene is ongoing. 'We would please ask the public to avoid this area where possible while this work continues.' Two children were seriously injured at the incident, with a further three children taken to the hospital with minor injuries. An East of England Ambulance Service spokesperson said: 'We were called at 2.55pm to reports that a tree had fallen in Chalkwell Park in Chalkwell. Six ambulances, three ambulance officer vehicles, the London Air Ambulance and Kent Air Ambulance were sent to the scene. 'Two children were transported by road to Southend University Hospital. A further three children were later transported by road to the same hospital with minor injuries.' David Burton-Sampson, Labour MP for Southend West and Leigh, said: 'I am hearing about a worrying incident in Chalkwell Park and I'm awaiting further details. In the meantime please avoid speculation until full details are released. 'My thoughts are with those affected.' Chalkwell Park is a recreational ground that covers 27 hectares and contains a number of flower gardens, two children's playgrounds, a skate park, and football, cricket, basketball and tennis grounds.
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Is the heat wave over yet? Do these things until the heat breaks.
Forecasters predict the worst of a record-setting heat wave may soon be over — but millions still need to take precautions to stay safe from dangerous heat. The most significant heat conditions are expected to continue across the Mid-Atlantic through Thursday, June 26 and the eastern Ohio Valley into Friday, June 27, according to the National Weather Service. AccuWeather meteorologists said extreme heat may begin to subside Wednesday, June 25, in New England, the Upper Midwest and the Plains, with temperatures dropping into the 70s and 80s. For those still experiencing the oppressive heat, here's some tips for how to find your own bit of relief. The balance between staying cool and keeping energy costs low can be tricky amid a heat wave, when sitting in front of a blasting air conditioner is oh-so-appealing. The Environmental Protection Agency's energy-efficiency program Energy Star recommends setting the thermostat to 78 degrees when you wake up during summer months to maximize efficiency. Michael Webber, a professor of engineering who studies energy at University of Texas at Austin, said pre-cooling your home by running the air conditioning more in the morning and evening, and less in the afternoon when temperatures are at their peak can go a long way, too. 'Picking the right temperature and cooling your house at the best times, these are things you can do for free essentially,' to stay comfortable and save on energy costs, Webber said. Portable electric fans can also help make a room feel cooler, but the National Weather Service recommends pointing them away from yourself when the room temperature is higher than 90 degrees. The dry blowing air can lead to dehydration, the agency says. If you don't have air conditioning, or if it isn't working, libraries, shopping malls, grocery stores and public cooling centers can also offer relief from scorching temperatures. You might want to think twice before ordering that large iced coffee – or margarita pitcher. Hydration is the name of the game during a heat wave and Betsy Koickel, chief medical officer at GoHealth Urgent Care, said 'excessive alcohol or caffeine intake can increase the risk of dehydration.' The American Red Cross said the average person should drink about three-fourths a gallon of water a day. Koickel recommended drinking water before you feel thirsty and replenishing with electrolyte replacements, such as Gatorade, especially if you plan to exercise or sit outside for extended periods. Consistent water intake may be particularly important for people taking medications that can cause dehydration, including some blood pressure drugs, antidepressants and antibiotics. She also said easy-to-digest foods, like fruits and salads, can help with hydration. If you need to wander outside, you can protect your skin by frequently reapplying sunscreen, wearing a loose, brimmed hat and choosing light-colored clothing. The EPA recommends avoiding direct exposure to the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun's rays are the strongest and taking frequent breaks in the shade to cool off. In extreme cases, intense heat can lead to sickness as your body struggles to regulate its temperature. Early symptoms of heat injury, including thirst, lightheadedness or a headache, may develop if you don't properly hydrate, Koickel said. Dark-colored or foul-smelling urine may be another sign of severe dehydration. 'If you don't take steps to rehydrate at that point, it can lead to heat exhaustion. You could faint. You could start to experience some severe muscle cramps, excessive sweating, and then if that's not taken care of, it can eventually lead to heat stroke.' Heat stroke can occur when someone's body temperature reaches 100.4 degrees. If heat illness reaches that point, she recommended calling 911 or finding immediate medical attention. Heat stroke vs heat exhaustion: How to spot the difference and how to treat Contributing: Doyle Rice and Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Heat wave tips for staying cool and safe
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
Maybe It's Not Just Aging. Maybe It's Anemia.
Gary Sergott felt weary all the time. 'I'd get tired, short of breath, a sort of malaise,' he said. He was cold even on warm days and looked pale with dark circles under his eyes. His malady was not mysterious. As a retired nurse-anesthetist, Mr. Sergott knew he had anemia, a deficiency of red blood cells. In his case, it was the consequence of a hereditary condition that caused almost daily nosebleeds and depleted his hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that delivers oxygen throughout the body. But in consulting doctors about his fatigue, he found that many didn't know how to help. They advised Mr. Sergott, who lives in Westminster, Md., to take iron tablets, usually the first-line treatment for anemia. But like many older people, he found a daily regimen of four to six tablets hard to tolerate. Some patients taking iron complain of severe constipation or stomach cramps. Mr. Sergott felt 'nauseated all the time.' And iron tablets don't always work. After almost 15 years, he found a solution. Dr. Michael Auerbach, a hematologist and an oncologist who is the co-director of the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders in Baltimore, suggested that Mr. Sergott receive iron intravenously instead of orally. Now Mr. Sergott, 78, gets an hourlong infusion when his hemoglobin levels and other markers show that he needs one, usually three times a year. 'It's like filling the gas tank,' he said. His symptoms recede, and 'I feel great.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
