“It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity.” That phrase can be annoying because hot is hot any way you slice it, but there actually is some validity to the notion. Thick and heavy air can make it seem warmer than the temperature reports. Extremely cold weather gets quite a bit of press in the winter months, as it is very hard on the elderly. People often do not realize that extreme heat can be just as dangerous.

Hyperthermia, not to be confused with hypothermia, is the term used to define heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. “The most important thing for older adults to understand is that they are at risk for hyperthermia,” said Amy Cotton, nurse practitioner and program director for Rosscare’s Center for Healthy Aging. “Any hot day can increase the risk of a heat-related health problem, particularly for those persons of advanced age or those with heart, lung or kidney disease.”

Heat exhaustion, which occurs when the body gets too hot, has symptoms such as:

. Thirst.

. Confusion.

. Weakness.

. Becoming uncoordinated.

. Nausea.

If you experience any of these symptoms or you are with an older person who does, the following treatments can provide some relief: showering, bathing or sponging off with cool water, drinking fluids such as water and juice, and lying down to rest, preferably in a cool place. If you are outside in the sun, find shelter immediately.

While heat exhaustion can be fairly easily addressed with the above steps, heat stroke is another story. It can be deadly, so immediate medical attention is crucial.

The list of possible symptoms includes:

. Cool, moist, pale skin which may or may not be hot to the touch.

. A body temperature of 104 degrees.

. Confusion, combativeness or bizarre behavior.

. Headache, faintness, staggering.

. Strong rapid pulse.

. Dry flushed skin, lack of sweating.

. Vomiting.

If you or someone else is exhibiting any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately.

“Preventing and reducing risks are key for seniors to stay healthy in hot weather,” said Cotton. “It’s important to talk to primary care providers about individual risk factors.

“These might include the use of certain medications,” she said, “required fluid intake and assessment of home environments. As we age, the body’s ability to release heat by sweating is blunted – making it particularly dangerous for seniors to stay in very warm environments for long periods of time.”

And speaking of medications, there are some drugs which increase a person’s sensitivity to the sun, causing skin to burn faster than it normally would.

To beat the heat, try opening windows at night on opposite sides of the building to create cross-ventilation. During the day, keep windows, blinds and curtains closed. If you have a fan and a squirt bottle, you’ve got a good way to stay cool. Sit in front of the fan and lightly mist your legs and arms. As the water evaporates, your skin will cool down.

Be careful not to overdress. Older people may not feel the heat accurately, and consequently put themselves at risk by wearing too much or inappropriate clothing. Lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting garments made of natural fibers are best. While drinking more liquids is vital to avoiding hyperthermia, check with your health care provider before changing your normal routine, especially if you have had limits put on your fluid intake or have been prescribed water pills.

Have a great summer and remember, water can be your best friend, especially if you’re weight-conscious. I just read that drinking ice cold water raises metabolism. I don’t know if this is true, but I’m putting it to the test as we speak.

Carol Higgins is director of communications at Eastern Agency on Aging. For information on EAA, call 941-2865, e-mail info@eaaa.org, or log on www.eaaa.org.