Endless heat waves make a dent in the elderly

Heat waves, elderly and loneliness: whole days without leaving home

The second heat wave of the year, that lasts more than 10 consecutive dayswith maximums of more than 40 degrees and that has left a firefighter this week, It is spending the elderly vulnerable.

And it is that the main group affected by high temperatures are the oldest people, especially those who suffer from pathologies that can make it worse due to the thermal stress.

And, according to sanitary sources to 65 and morethe more the heat lasts over time, the greater the risk of these complications.

Therefore, it is crucial to continue extreme precautions these days, since the Aemet He has extended the war warning until Monday, August 18.

More influx in the Emergencies

The tendency to worsen up of the health of the greatest vulnerable by high temperatures It already shows in hospitals.

The head of dissemination to the citizen of the Spanish Society of Emergency Medicine and Emergencies (@Semes_), Rosa Pérezexplains a 65 and more that an increase in visits has been observed due to complications of chronic patients, in addition to the other cases that are usually seen in emergencies in summer: accidents, infections, bites … or heat blows, such as the one that unfortunately caused the death of a 61 -year -old worker in Cádiz.

Specifically, says the health, these days are usually reported in older people, who have relationship with “dehydration” or with the taking of Chronic medication.

In addition, certain diseases due to routine changes are also intensified, also due to high temperatures, since heat forces many older to confine and reduces its activity, which has a negative impact on the most vulnerable, on those who suffer from mental health problems or in certain groups such as people with dementia.

Queries in Health Centers

On the other hand, he comments Lorenzo Armenterosspokesman for the Spanish society of general and family doctors (@Semg_es), in parallel, at the level of health centers, consultations have increased for these reasons.

In recent days, they are seeing an increase in the influx of older patients by the “Alteration that they suffer” in the agency and in different organs, such as the heart, the nervous system, the osteomuscular, the renal, etc., due to the “continued thermal stress.

More mortality

And, unfortunately, the impact is also noted in the mortality estimates of the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII). According to the Momo monitoring system, from May 15 to August 11, they would have died 1,783 people over 65 years old – more than 90% of the total – for reasons related to high temperatures, being the main affected collective who is over 85 years old – more than 60% of the total.

And, specifically, between August 1 and 11 – last day in which there are data available – there would have been a peak of death, with a total of a total of 379 deaths of people over 65 estimated.

A figure, which will continue to grow in the next few days, as follows from Kairós indexprepared by the ISCIII, which places at high risk of major mortality – at least one day until August 15 – to eight provinces: Barcelona, ​​Cáceres, Madrid, Navarra, Palencia, Salamanca and Toledo.

“We must be attentive to all of them to avoid that Increase in the number of deaths that is taking place “, claims Lorenzo Armenteros.

An opinion, which shares the head of the dissemination of semes, Rosa Pérez, Who asks for a monitoring of these more delicate profiles and demands citizen collaboration. “I always recommend that we return to more generous times and that we can help each other. If we know any older neighbor who lives alone and we know that he does not leave home, because we go to visit it, to ask how it is, we offer something fresh, remember that he drinks water, not to leave at noon …”, he proposes.

Why do the elderly suffer more?

And it is that these deaths are not only explained by physical causes. According to 65 and more Lucía Martínez ManriqueVice President of the Madrid Association of Public Health (@amasap), one of the reasons has to do with the “thermoregulation is affected by the changes that occur in senescence: body fat redistribution, reduction of blood flow and sweat glands.” “In addition, there is a decrease in thirst sensation, which increases the risk of dehydration,” he says.

Now, not everything can be attributed to biology: the social also plays a crucial role. In that sense, he points out, the danger to the elderly is superior in three groups: “Those who live alone, those who are caregivers of dependent people and those who have little social or other support).”

And also influence “all those conditions related to Social determinants of health and the social inequalities that are generated due to this, such as the low socioeconomic level, bad housing conditions and energy poverty, “

“And, of course, certain housing conditions (Last floors, absence of acclimatization measures, absence of elevator) and the low socioeconomic level are related to greater risk, “he adds.

Pathologies aggravation

On the other hand, it specifies, from the point of view of individual health, “the situation of dependence and some chronic pathologies, such as cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, diabetes, mental illness, alcoholism, cognitive deterioration, etc., etc. They increase the risk of the negative effects of heat. “

Likewise, as the other experts consulted also explain, “The consumption of certain drugssuch as antidepressants, diuretics and antiarrhythmic, or having received a recent hospital discharge “are potential negative factors.

Of course, the vice president of the Madrid Public Health Association points out, although “progressive aging is usually related to an increase in prevalence of chronic pathologies, however, Not all are likely to get worse In relation to heat. “

Individual tips to reduce risk

However, if certain tips are followed, older people may reduce the probability of complications, he says. “There are three fundamental measures: protect yourself from heat, Reduce risks and consult with health professionals before symptoms that can alert a heat stroke or other heat effects in the body, “he says.

In addition, he says, all measures that reduce exposure are recommended:

• Stay at home during the hottest hours of the day.
• Ventilate in the freshest hours and use awnings and blinds to avoid housing overheating.
• Wear baggy and fresh clothes.
• Use of a cap or hat, sunglasses and sunscreen for the skin when you go out.
• Eat fresh and healthy.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables.
• Increase hydration.
• Reduce the effects of heat on the body, often cooling with wet cloths or showers.

The expert also recommends “Keep medications in a dry place, Review chronic treatments and consult with health professionals in case you had to make specific treatment adjustments in the summer period. “

“Another important element is to detect early The effects of heat on the bodyso it should be consulted with health professionals in situations of discomfort, dizziness, or nonspecific discomfort. Especially important are the signs of heat blow: very high body temperature (greater than 40 ° C), hot skin, dry and reddened, thirst, headache, nausea, drowsiness and extreme situations of confusion, loss of consciousness and seizures. In all these cases, health care must be requested urgently, “he adds.