DON'T FORGET TO WEAR SUNSCREEN-HAT-SUNGLASSES AND PLENTY OF WATER
Kritz, FranJune/July 2016
Here's how to keep your cool this summer.
Heat can play a role in epileptic
seizures or migraines. It can exacerbate symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS)
and cause overheating in people with spinal cord injuries and brain tumors,
whose ability to regulate their body temperature may be compromised by their
condition. It does not, however, cause further neurologic damage, says Robert
Fox, MD, FAAN, medical director at the Mellon Center for Multiple Sclerosis at
Cleveland Clinic.
Heat sensitivity also can be
managed, says Gil Greenman, an attorney in Seattle, who has MS and is extremely
sensitive to the heat. “If the temperature goes above 69 degrees, I feel the
symptoms all over,” he says. “My hands and legs prickle and get numb.” If the
mercury climbs too high, he may even pass out.
So over the years, Greenman has
adopted strategies for cooling down when the heat strikes. For one, he's never
without his “cooling kit,” which includes a cooler filled with ice packs, wet
bandanas, and cold towels. He also carries a battery-powered fan, a water
bottle, and an umbrella to protect him from the sun, and he constantly seeks
shade. Greenman and our experts offer these additional tips:
1. TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR.
If you're sensitive to the heat, discuss all your options with your doctor.
Certain activities may still be possible as long as you take precautions.
2. EXERCISE WISELY.
Avoid working out during the hottest part of the day and wear layers you can
peel off, says Dr. Fox. If you're exercising indoors, keep a fan turned in your
direction. Avoid Bikram or hot yoga and similar exercise environments in which
the room temperature is intentionally raised.
3. STAY HYDRATED. Keep
a bottle of cool water at home and at the office and drink from it throughout
the day. Be especially mindful of staying hydrated when exercising. Your body
needs water to sweat out to cool itself down, explains Anthony Reder, MD, FAAN,
professor of neurology at the University of Chicago.
4. DRESS APPROPRIATELY.
Choose lightweight and light-colored fabrics to ward off heat, and wear a hat
to shade you from the sun, says Dr. Reder.
5. COOL YOUR BODY. Put
your feet in a bucket of ice, or fill a spray bottle with water and spritz
yourself every so often. Greenman says some people wear “cooling vests,”
garments with pockets for cooling packs, but he finds them uncomfortable and
prefers to douse himself with water. Or place a small bag of ice or a cool
washcloth on your neck, says Dr. Reder. “That can be just enough to cool you
down and help you function much better.” Other cooling garments include
headbands, scarves, and spine or ankle wraps.
6. SEEK COOL PLACES.
Air-conditioned stores can be your best friend when out running errands. The
same is true of an air-conditioned car. That solution works for Greenman
whenever he's feeling overheated.
7. AVOID THE OUTDOORS WHEN
IT'S HOT. Schedule your day so you're not caught outside when the
temperature is highest, says Orrin Devinsky, MD, FAAN, professor of neurology,
neurosurgery, and psychiatry at New York University School of Medicine and
director of the NYU Comprehensive Epilepsy Center in New York City. He urges
people who are sensitive to heat to create strategies that still allow them to
enjoy themselves while lessening the risk of overheating. If you like the
beach, for example, visit it in the early morning or late afternoon and bring
an umbrella and lots of cool drinks. “Do everything you can to keep your core
body temperature from rising,” he says.
http://journals.lww.com/neurologynow/Fulltext/2016/12030/Beat_the_Heat__Warm_temperatures_can_make_some.13.aspx
No comments:
Post a Comment