Simply close this browser window to return to the Research Library Home page. Heat And Prescription Drugs: Are You At Risk?Anyone who is exposed to high temperatures can suffer from heat-related health problems. Heat poses a special threat to those taking certain medications, especially people over the age of 55. Heat-related health problems occur due to depletion of body fluids and electrolytes. Electrolytes give the body the electrical charge that keeps the heart, muscles, and nervous system working properly. Electrolytes regulate the amount of water in body fluids and cells. The body dissipates heat by sweating, allowing us to function in the heat. Everyone has heard we lose salt (sodium) when we sweat. Sodium is just one of the electrolytes in our bodies. If you find yourself sweating, you're losing electrolytes and creating imbalances that can threaten your health. If you're a person who doesn't sweat easily, your electrolyte levels are already low. When fluid level and electrolytes get too low, heat-related problems set in, including heatstroke, a potentially fatal condition. Medications can impair the body's ability to sweat, cool down and handle heat. Diuretics, for example, lower potassium levels which disrupts electrolyte balance. Below is a list of medications that impair the body's ability to handle heat (1), (4), (5), (7), (8):
Heat-related health problems range from heat cramps to heatstroke. Common signs of heat-related problems include nausea, fatigue, weakness, cramps, and dizziness. Medical treatment includes fluid and electrolyte replacement, often administered intravenously. Untreated, these conditions can be life threatening. Heat Illness and Death: Risk FactorsThe heat waves of the past decade have brought the problem of heat-related illness to everyone's attention. Heat has directly been attributed to the deaths of 6,615 deaths in the United States between 1979 and 1995. (1) The heat wave in July, 1995 in Chicago claimed at least 465 people. (3) Studies of these heat related deaths offer a portrait of who is most at risk during a heat wave. Greatest risk factors for heat-related illness and death: (1) (4) (5) (6) (7) (9)
People over the age of 55 and those with chronic disease often take medications. Those in the other risk categories may likely be on medications. Studies have not examined how many within each risk group were taking medications that impair the body's ability to handle heat. If heat-related illness and death are attributed to fluid and electrolyte imbalance, heat may only exacerbate a problem that already exists. Diet, fluid intake, stress, and activity level all impact electrolyte levels. Diets that restrict salt, milk, and meat are particularly hazardous to electrolyte balance. Common signs of electrolyte imbalances are low or high blood pressure, circulation problems, fatigue, illness, and disease. Studies of young athletes who die during exertion or in the heat have found heart problems, especially hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, as the cause of these deaths. (10) What is overlooked is the relationship between electrolytes and heart function. These athletes more than likely had calcium and sodium deficiencies that lead to heart irregularities. Heat and exertion tip the already imbalanced electrolytes to a life threatening level causing the heart to malfunction. In the same way, the studies of deaths during heat waves overlook the fact that electrolyte imbalances in those over age 55 and those with diseases could actually create the risk in these groups. This relationship between heat induced illness and death and electrolytes has not been fully studied or considered. Solutions: Is Keeping Cool Enough?The efforts to combat heat-related illness and death have focused on keeping those at risk cool. President Clinton authorized spending $150 million dollars during the summer of 1998 for air conditioning, fans, and supplementing energy costs for the poor living in the heat stricken southern states. (Fans are not protective against heatstroke if the temperature is over 90F and humidity is over 35%.) (4) (5) The price tag for keeping everyone cool is staggering. The fact is that heat waves are not the only problem. Those who work or play even in cool temperatures can experience heat-related problems as they heat up from exertion. If you are a person who takes any medication that impairs the body's ability to handle heat, you and your physician have a responsibility to monitor electrolyte levels and replace the electrolytes that are being lost. Certain medications are regularly monitored to protect the health of the patient. For example, the viscosity of blood is regularly monitored for those taking blood thinners such as Coumadin. Regular, low cost blood tests would reveal any electrolyte imbalances which may occur due to a medication. Monitoring these levels and making appropriate adjustments could save lives. How Can Electrolytes Be Replaced?Life Balances offers an Electrolyte Replacement that is a true isotonic, milliequivelent formula. The Electrolyte Replacement Fluid provides potassium, sodium, phosphorous, chloride, bicarbonate, magnesium, and sulfur, with no carbohydrates or caffeine. The Life Balances Electrolyte Replacement Fluid furnishes an electrical potential of 9 mEq/L for optimal circulation to the cells. This balanced formula provides electrolytes without upsetting the body's mineral balance or adding unnecessary carbohydrate calories. References
(1) CDC. Heat-Related Mortality -- United States, 1997. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) 1998;47:473 Click here to go to our Home page! No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the express written permission of Electrolyte, LLC. Electrolyte, LLC may have patents or pending patent applications, trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property rights covering subject matter in this document. The furnishing of this document does not give you license to these patents, trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property except as expressly provided in any written license agreement from Electrolyte, LLC.
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