RISK FACTORS
With or without medications, being in a hot climate becomes
riskier the longer we live. “Middle-aged and older adults
are more vulnerable to heat due to age-related changes in how the body cools itself — like reduced sweat production, slower circulation, and a delayed perception of heat,” says Ariane Middel, Ph.D., an associate professor in the School of Arts Media and Engineering at Arizona State University in Tempe. She directs an urban climate research group that has been studying the effects of hot weather on human health via the
use of robots. One robot is called ANDI (short
for Advanced Newton Dynamic Instrument). It’s the world’s first manikin to be used outdoors to collect data about the inner reactions of the human body to different temperatures. ANDI can even sweat. “Heat affects everyone differently,”
Middel tells Newsmax. “There’s no one-size-fits-all rule for staying safe in the heat — each person’s risk depends on a unique combination of their body, environment, and activities. “People with larger bodies or higher
body fat may absorb more heat simply because they have more surface area exposed to the sun,” she explains. “Meanwhile, people who are
physically fit often begin sweating sooner and more efficiently, which helps them stay cooler.” And if you’re regularly out and
about in hot weather, even for 10 to 15 minutes at a time, your system adapts and becomes more efficient at sweating and cooling itself. Another robot named MaRTy
(Mean Radiant Temperature) is a weather station on wheels. It measures how much heat we are exposed to in real-world settings, taking into consideration sunlight, different types of shade, and heat reflected from roads and surrounding buildings. “Our MaRTy research has shown
Walking through a green area with tree shade will not only feel much better,
but it can also reduce your risk of heat- related stress or illness.” — Ariane Middel, Ph.D.
that shaded environments can feel 20 to 30 degrees cooler than sun-exposed ones,” says Middel. Compared to walking on paved
roads, she adds, “Walking through a green area with tree shade will not only feel much better, but it can also reduce your risk of heat-related stress or illness.”
HYDRATION “A lot of people are between 1% and 2% dehydrated just naturally going through their day, because they don’t do a good job of hydration,” says Douglas Casa, Ph.D., CEO of the Korey Stringer Institute, a heat lab at the University of Connecticut in Storrs. If you weigh yourself daily and your
weight drops by 1.5% to 2.5% from the previous day for no apparent reason, that’s likely a sign of mild dehydration.
Signs of Dehydration and Heat Illness
T
hirst is an obvious sign that we need to drink more fluids, but the
thirsty sensation decreases with age. Other symptoms of dehydration or heat illness that require immediate cooling include: Sweating heavily Cold, clammy skin Feeling lightheaded or dizzy Feeling inexplicably tired Headache Nausea Muscle cramps or spasms Abdominal cramps Swelling in extremities Seek emergency medical atten-
tion if any symptom above lasts more than an hour, worsens, or becomes severe, or if a person vomits, gets a throbbing headache, develops hot, red, damp skin, faints or goes uncon- scious, or their body temperature goes above 103 degrees.
Urine that is darker than light yellow indicates dehydration, especially if it’s dark first thing in the morning. In that case, Casa tells Newsmax, “Change has to happen the night before.” Don’t drink just before bed, but do drink more fluids with dinner and shortly after, as well as during the day. Not needing to visit the bathroom
for five or six hours is another sign of dehydration.
STAYING COOL When outdoors for any length of time, especially if you’re physically active — hiking or playing golf or pickleball, for example — Casa recommends wearing a cooling hat and using a cooling towel on your neck and shoulders. Getting into a pool, tub, or body of water even if it isn’t really cold is the most effective way to cool a person who is overheated. Going outdoors in the early morning
or late in the day, when temperatures are lower, and wearing loose, light- colored clothing are some other tried and tested ways to stay cool.
STAYING SAFE INDOORS “Data show that most heat-related deaths occur indoors, often in the homes of individuals who do not use cooling strategies,” says Thomas Deshayes, Ph.D., a researcher at the Montreal Heart Institute in Canada who studies the effects of heat on health. He tells Newsmax, “It’s
recommended to keep indoor temperatures below 78.8 degrees [Fahrenheit].” However, some people may need to turn a thermostat lower. If air conditioning isn’t available,
aim for cooler spaces, such as a basement if your home has one. Take advantage of local cooling centers or other cool public spaces, including malls.
JULY 2025 | NEWSMAX MAXLIFE 83
ANDI/PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES / WOMEN/O2O CREATIVE©ISTOCK DRINKING WATER/JLCO-ANA SUANES©ISTOCK
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