Hey y’all experiencing these heat waves or going places that are way hotter than you’re used to:
Check your meds to find out whether anything you’re taking can cause heat sensitivity!
This includes: heat intolerance (getting overheated very easily), increased sweat production OR impaired sweat production, increased OR reduced thirst, lethargy, reduced alertness, and increased risk of fainting
A lot of very commonly taken medications can cause heat sensitivity, and a lot of people don’t find out about it until they’re wondering why they’re sweating buckets or feeling exhausted after a short time in the heat. Additionally, some common OTC meds like cold and allergy meds, antibiotics, and NSAIDs can cause photosensitivity, which makes you far more prone to burning in the sun.
[Alt text: Meds That May Cause Heat Sensitivity: Mental Health meds (Prozac, Zoloft, Xanax, Klonopin, Cymbalta, Effexor, Elavil, etc) - ADD/ADHD Stimulants (Adderall, Dexedrine, Vyvanse, etc) - Diphenhydramine (Benadryl, ZZZquil) - Blood Pressure (beta blockers, diuretics). This is not an exhaustive list! Please check your own medications, including OTC, for heat-related side effects! Keep hydrated, limit heat exposure, and be safe!]
I have to emphasize that the above list is not exhaustive, it presents a handful of examples in a few common categories. Research the meds that you take, especially if they’re similar to any that are listed! If you do take meds that can cause heat sensitivity, be aware that you may have a much harder time handling the heat, and that time spent exposed to high heat puts you at higher risk of developing heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
The warning signs of heat exhaustion include headache, racing pulse, heavy breathing, fatigue, nausea, muscle cramps, and light-headedness. If you start to experience these symptoms, get to a cool environment, remove any layers of clothing you can, place cool damp cloths on yourself, take frequent but small sips of water, and monitor your symptoms. If they don’t go away in an hour or they worsen, or you start vomiting, seek medical attention, because they could progress to heat stroke, and that is a life-threatening medical emergency.
DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH. I AM NOT A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL. I’m just someone who’s taken many of these meds, some for over a decade, and it wasn’t until I moved to Arizona that a medical professional ever talked to me very specifically about these potential side-effects in a way that made me actually realize I’d been experiencing this. My prescriber is working with me to find some different meds that addresses my needs without making me miserable with side-effects, so if you’re in a similar place, ask what other options there might be for you.
Above all, be safe in the heat! Stay hydrated, you need more water than you think, and it’s far better to take frequent small drink!
