Excessive heat has undeniable effects on our body. Even the most staunch lover of summer can feel lethargic, overwhelmed and tired due to the high temperatures. Heat strokes, sunburns, dehydration and sunstroke are dangers that lurk just around the corner if we do not take the necessary precautions.
In the case of people with cognitive impairment and diseases such as dementia or Alzheimer's, the importance of caution increases, since they suffer the effects of heat more intensely. In these diagnoses, the hypothalamus deteriorates and is the area of the brain responsible for controlling body temperature, hunger and thirst.
Consequently, people with dementia or Alzheimer's regulate their body temperature worse and have a worse perception of it. This means that they may be getting hot but they do not notice how it is affecting them and cannot remedy it, for example, by removing layers of clothing or putting themselves in the shade. On the other hand, they can suffer from dehydration if they do not feel thirsty, do not remember to drink water or when was the last time they did.
The consequences of excessive heat can manifest as headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, dizziness or insomnia. People with dementia or Alzheimer's may confuse these symptoms with their own illness and not realize that it could be heat stroke. Or not being able to communicate that they are unwell. For all these reasons, we must follow a series of tips to protect them from high temperatures.
