Doctors at the Gencare Senior Medical Center say some over-the-counter and prescription medications can interfere with sweating, alter the body’s thermostat, and make you more susceptible to dehydration, which can be serious. It is said to have consequences.
“Our seniors are at risk of heatstroke and exhaustion, which is worrisome, especially given the medical problems they have and the medications they take,” said Gencare Center. Medical director Dr Farrar Gose said Wednesday.th A street on the South Side of Chicago.
Patient Evelyn Lenoir, 74, takes multiple medications a day.
“I’m on blood pressure medication. I’m on water retention medication,” Lenore said.
A lung cancer survivor who also takes heart medication, doctors said she was at a higher risk of getting sick in the heat.
“They told me I should drink a lot and stay hydrated. I should stay as cool as possible and avoid going out unless absolutely necessary,” Lenoir said. .
Which drugs increase risk in older people?
According to the JenCare Senior Medical Center, they include:
– I like selective antidepressants Serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIsyou may sweat more and risk dehydration.
- – Antipsychotics can interfere with sweating and alter your body’s thermostat.
- – anticholinergicA large category of medications commonly used to treat various conditions such as urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, allergies and Parkinson’s disease can interfere with sweating and the body’s thermostat. It can also reduce blood flow to the skin.
- – Patients with heart disease may be prescribed multiple medications, such as diuretics and diuretics. ACE inhibitor. Such drugs can cause dehydration, affect kidney function, and limit the body’s ability to redirect blood flow.
- – Some diabetes medications, including insulin, may lose their effectiveness in hot weather.
- – antihistamines
“Over-the-counter medications include antihistamines such as Benadryl, which are common medications that many people take,” Gorse says.
Gencare doctors want older people to be aware of the risks, but they say there’s one thing they shouldn’t do.
“I didn’t stop taking the medication. It’s not recommended,” Gorse said.
We recommend calling your doctor if you have questions about certain medications, drinking plenty of water, and using air conditioning whenever possible.
“It’s important to know the symptoms of heat stroke, such as staying in a cool place and feeling dizzy, faint, sweating more, feeling thirsty, it’s time to take a break, etc. is,” says Gorse.
