Hot days & medications

Hot day and medications is the topic of our today’s article . As you know it is very hot weather in some countries. The temperature rises up to 53 degree Centigrade in some cities. Government authorities advises the citizens to follow  instructions to be safe from heat stroke. Beside  those  precaution there are some medicines which should NOT be taken during  very hot days. We will talk about these medicines in this article.

Contents:

• Precautions to be taken in very hot days.
• Medicines that should NOT be taken in hot days.
• What to do during hot days.

Precautions to be taken in very hot days.

In many countries, the people are facing very hot temperature during day and even during nights too. It is advised to take  the following precautionary steps to be safe  from heat stroke.

• Try to stay at home during hot days.
• Drink cold water many times during hot days.
• Use umbrellas while going out.
• Cover your head with a cloth soaked with water when going out..
• If you feel you have a heat stroke, seek medical help immediately before it gets worse.

Medicines that should not be taken in hot temperature days.

It is quite possible that high temperature during hot days will affect you very badly, if you take any of these  common medicines. These medicines are :

• Beta blockers. These medicines are often used to treat high blood pressure when other medicines have not worked. Beta blockers are medicines that lower blood pressure. They also may be called beta-adrenergic blocking agents. The medicine block the effects of the hormone epinephrine, also known as adrenaline.
• Diuretics – also known as water pills ― are medicines that help you move extra fluid and salt out of your body. They make you pee more frequently, which is why you should take them in the morning if you can. You may need to take diuretics once or twice a day at the same time each day. .
• Anticholinergics -Anticholinergic drugs block the action of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. This inhibits nerve impulses responsible for involuntary muscle movements and various bodily functions. These drugs can treat a variety of conditions, from overactive bladder to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
• Antipsychotics -Antipsychotic drugs treat psychosis, a collection of symptoms that affect your ability to tell what’s real and what isn’t. These drugs are a critical part of treating conditions that involve psychosis. Without them, many of these conditions are so disruptive or severe that they need 24/7 psychiatric care.
• Above mentioned medicines may cause ;

A –Dehydration.

B — Lack of sweating.

C — Problems  with regulating body temperature , which                              affects people facing risk for heat exhaustion and heat                            stroke.

It is strongly advised to consult a doctor to make adjustments to your medicines during the hotter months of the year.

What to do during hot days.

Dr. Sazan Sylejmani, Pharm D. an experienced Pharmacy Manager and owner of Westmont Pharmacy , suggests ” How to minimize your risk during a heat wave”. He suggest the following:

Stay hydrated;

You should drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine as they will hydrate you more. Talk to your doctor for an individualized fluid intake recommendations.

Wear lightweight , loose fitting clothing;

This way allow air to reach your body and will evaporate your sweat making you cool.

Try to stay in cool, shaded or air-conditioned area for more time.

In case you don’t have air conditioner at home, go to an air-conditioned tea house. Drink a cup of tea and try to stay there for a little bit longer time to seek refuge from the heat. For more information pl. read our article “Beat the heat” .

Monitor yourself for signs of heat-related illness;

If you have symptoms like excessive sweating, confusion, dizziness, or headache , get medical help immediately. Talk with him/her about hot days & medications especially.

Consult with your doctor about adjusting your medication.

Doctor may adjust dosages or advise timing of your medicines. Or he/she may suggest different medicines to reduce risks.

source : healthline.com

Achievement ;

• Certain types of medicines may make people more likely to have heat related illness.
• These medicines include diuretics, beta blockers, anticholinergics and antipsychotics’.
• It is strongly advised to consult your doctor about taking above medication during very hot days.
• They can cause dehydration, lack of sweating and problems regulating temperature.
• It is recommended to keep cool and drink plenty of cold water during hot weather.
• If you feel  symptoms of heat-related illness , seek medical help immediately.

I always pray to Al-Mighty Allah to bless every one  with success and good health.  AAmin.