Here we are, in the midst of what my paternal grandmother called “the dog days of summer.” I don’t think it had much to do with dogs. Actually, the phrase refers to the hottest days of summer. My grandmother was a superstitious Irish woman so there might have been something more to it. But when I think of the dog days of summer, I think of high heat and humidity. I remember headaches when the heat was extreme, and hiding away to read my books when the headaches eased. We know so much more these days.
Do you go to your weather app each day to see what you can expect that day? It is a good practice, especially during extreme weather conditions – like extreme natural heat that causes heat-related illness. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” Grandma used to say.
At our house I have covered the windows. My husband doesn’t care much for the blinds. He likes to look out the windows. I don’t care much for extreme heat in our house for all the same reasons you feel the same way, I suspect.
Extreme heat can affect anyone. Infants, young children and older adults (over age 65) are more at risk, but so are youth athletes and those who work outdoors, like construction workers and farmers. Persons with chronic medical conditions like heart disease, hypertension, respiratory illness, diabetes and excess weight or obesity are also at risk. Many medications can affect the body’s heat and cold regulation, and reduce ability to respond to heat stress. Also, everyone is at risk of heat stress when engaging in strenuous outdoor physical activities during hot weather … athletes at practice, mowing the lawn, etc.
In a recent article, “Heat Health Awareness: Why It’s Important for Persons with Substance Use Disorders and Mental Health Conditions, Caregivers and Health Care Providers,” the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reports about heat-related deaths over 14 years or so.
“People with behavioral health conditions are among those at highest risk of heat-related illnesses or death from extreme temperatures, including heat waves. Pyschotropic medications may increase risk, and use of alcohol and other substances also can place people at more risk of harm.”
The National Library of Medicine at the National Institutes of Health reports statistics about heat-related deaths in data collected from 2004-2018. “Natural heat exposure contributed to 1,463 (34 percent) deaths from ischemic heart diseases, 438 (10 percent) deaths from hypertension, and 773 (18 percent) deaths from alcohol poisoning and drug overdoses.”
The SAMHSA article also states 90 percent of deaths occur between May and September.
The goals are to increase awareness of heat-related symptoms and providing guidance for staying cool and hydrated. There is an urge to open cooling centers and provide access to public air conditioning for those who need it, places like shopping malls and libraries.
Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services has released a brochure, “Heat-related illness in individuals using psychiatric medication 2023 at the website. The information is relevant for anyone at risk of heat-related illnesses: heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Listed are the three heat-related illnesses, the signs and symptoms and how to prevent them. Visit www.mha.ohio.gov to access this valuable information that can help prevent these crises.
FRC history bites: In 2014, a gambling prevention grant was received from the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board, targeting males ages 18 to 25. Also that year, FRC received a grant from the Governor’s Office and began participating in the Start Talking! Program. Employees were trained and county schools began coming on board for the life skills curriculum-based lessons.
For help or more information, contact Family Recovery Center, 964 N. Market St., Lisbon; phone, 330-424-1468. Visit the website at familyrecovery.org. FRC is funded in part by Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board.