Beat the Heat: Warm temperatures can make some neurologic symptoms worse.

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