SATURDAY, Aug. 6, 2005 (HealthDay News) -- Because of the way the human body ages, seniors have much more trouble dealing with summer heat than younger people do.
Older adults can't cool down as well, may not perceive heat as well, and are less likely to feel thirsty -- all very dangerous problems when the sun is beating down.
The American Geriatrics Society has a set of hot-weather tips to help seniors stay safe, including:
Dehydration is a potentially deadly loss of water in the body. Warning signs include weakness, headache, muscle cramps, dizziness, confusion, and passing out.
If you think you're struggling with dehydration, call your doctor or 911. Meanwhile, drink plenty of water and, if possible, "sports drinks" such as Gatorade, which contain salts called electrolytes that your body loses when dehydrated, according the society.
More information
The National Institutes of Health has more about heat-related illnesses.