Staying healthy and hydrated in heat when you have a long-term health condition
During the summer, we enjoy bright days, warm weather, and long evenings. For people with chronic or long-term health conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, or heart conditions, summer is a time to be extra cautious. If you have such a condition, it is imperative to understand how summer weather affects you. Hot weather means your body has to work harder to keep your temperature at normal levels. This can strain your heart, lungs and kidneys. Heat and humidity can also be tiring. You may have less energy and be less active. You can enjoy the summer months if you keep yourself hydrated, understand the effect of heat on your body and take some extra precautions to stay well. Keeping cool and hydrated is particularly imperative: You need to replace sweated fluids. Stick with water or sugar-free drinks and avoid caffeine or alcoholic beverages, which can cause dehydration. Hot weather requires you to drink more, especially if you a...