|
The mercury's rising across the country as we head into the
dog days of summer, and with the rising temperature comes
increased risk of a potentially fatal illness: heat stroke.
But, did you know that mental illness and
some medications used to treat mental illnesses actually increase
the risk for heat stroke?
Heat stroke occurs when the body is unable
to properly cool itself. Normally, the human body will regulate
temperature by sweating, but heat stroke impairs the body's
ability to do this. If heat stroke is not treated immediately,
it can cause permanent disability and even death.
Disturbingly, individuals with mental illness
may be particularly susceptible to heat stroke. Certain medications,
including anti-psychotics and anti-cholinergics, are known
to increase the risk for heat stroke because they inhibit
the body's ability to regulate its temperature.
To help protect yourself or a loved one
from the dangers of heat stroke, click
here to take a look at NAMI’s list of do's
and don'ts for the hot summer days ahead.
|
