Health bosses urge people to keep taking regular medication despite heat alert
High temperatures can bring extra challenges for some people on medication
People on regular medication are being urged to continue taking them as normal by health bosses, despite high temperatures causing some heat related side effects.
The message comes from Dr Bernie Marden, Chief Medical Officer for the NHS Integrated Care Board (ICB) cluster which includes Wiltshire, Somerset, Bath and Dorset, while an amber heat-health alert remains in place across the south west.
Dr Marden says it's crucial to continue following medical advice around these medications, and to take action to keep as cool as possible.
"Focus on the things that are going to stop you getting into difficulty in the 1st place in terms of the advice about how to stay cool and out of danger," he said, adding that the NHS is available to help, even though it's expected to be under increased pressure because of the heat.
He highlighted that people on blood pressure medications could see their symptoms exacerbated, especially if they are urinating more frequently, which could lead to dehydration. He added that there is a possibility that people being treated for Parkinson's disease through anticholinergics could have trouble sweating, which could cause issues.
And he said that some mental health medication can affect how the body regulates and manages temperature.
He's advising people to take simple steps to stay cool by:
- Avoiding the direct sun exposure between 11am and 3pm
- Drink plenty and limit alcohol consumption
- Keep homes shaded with closed windows and blinds. We can open windows in the evening to allow cool air in
- Wear loose clothing and do any activities in the early morning or late evening
We're also encouraged to check in on neighbours and vulnerable members of our communities to ensure they're safe too.
Dr Marden said keeping our routine as normal as possible can help manage any issues related to medication.
"Nutrition is obviously really important. And in fact, we do get fluids through eating often, depending on what it is that you're eating. So I think just rather than managing the specifics of what it is, about your medication is necessarily driving you to do. I think it's about keeping the circumstances as normal as possible in terms of what your body has to try to deal with," he said.
We're reminded to follow guidance on storing medication so it is ready to use and can be effective if and when needed.
People can be at significant health risk if they begin to suffer heat stroke, which is when the heat begins to have a major affect on our ability to function.
Symptoms may include confusion, restlessness and even seizures in the worst cases, as well as a very high temperature and a person being hot to the touch, without the expected sweating.
Steps to aid someone experiencing heat stroke include removing unnecessary clothing, giving them water to drink and moving them to a cool place. We can also put cool packs under their armpits and around the neck.
If someone loses consciousness or is fitting, we should dial 999.